Why are the most religious US states often the poorest?

Answer 1

As Arthur Brooks once noticed, the most important explanation is a religious one. ... Progressives often claim the moral high ground during political debates with their support for programs like the ... A Silent Crisis: Changing Families in America.

Answer 2

There are three major reasons for this:

1) Spiritualism vs. Materialism: Wealth is generated when people focus on monetary attainment and growth. This is strongly encouraged by people who have a more materialistic outlook. By contrast, people who are deeply religious value spiritual development and growth, which occurs in more austere conditions.

2) Science Rejection: Religious individuals are often not as motivated to pursue modern science and new industries, since the pursuit of science does not improve a person's condition vis-Ã?-vis the Divine. As a result, they lag behind the economic progress created by new scientific discoveries and their application

3) Political Conservatism: Most religious individuals tend to be politically conservative, voting against welfare and increased state services. This helps to keep money within a few small families as opposed to distributing it among the people and creating many more consumers which can motivate an economy.