Opiate or In‐Group Amphetamine? Religion, Economic Position, and the Bible's Teaching on Charity

ABSTRACT Sociologists debate whether religion functions as an “opiate,” inclining lower income groups to accept the rightness of inequality and their lower economic position, or whether it primarily amplifies in‐group cohesion, thereby strengthening advocacy on behalf of one's economic position. Using data from a nationally representative survey, this study tests these competing theories by examining how religiosity measures correspond to interpretations of the Bible's teaching on poor relief, and whether these associations vary across household income. Contrary to the “opiate” thesis, I find among lower income Americans, greater religiosity—measured by worship attendance or Christian nationalism—is associated with believing the Bible teaches that charity primarily involves structural transformation (creating a more just society). Among higher earners, however, religiosity measures are associated with asserting the Bible teaches a more neoliberal, individualized approach to charity. Findings suggest that religion does not simply legitimate economic inequality across groups but amplifies certain theological interpretations refracted by economic position.