In what sense, if any, is “economics” distinct from “religion”; And why does it matter?
It matters whether “Economics” is distinct from “Religion” first, because the putative truths of Religion must be more secure than the provisional and fallible truths of Science; secondly, because the scientific claims of Economics would be undermined were they not independent of the religious beliefs of economists; and thirdly, because the contribution of each to public policy formation requires them to be distinct.They are indeed distinct, because Economics is knowledge about the economy whereas Religion is knowledge of God. Knowledge about is intellectual: knowledge of is experiential. The knowledge we may have of God comes by faith, hope and charity: the practice of these can give us no knowledge about interest rates in a capitalist economy.