Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Dave  In the Middle East, economic wealth in a country inversely correlates with levels of religiosity in said country. Cooperation with Western countries (and thus, usually, dilution of religious rule in the country) allows the states of the Middle East to prosper. |
The correlation is there, but I think you have the cause and effect backwards. As a society becomes more enthralled with money, they become less religious and more open to relations with the U.S. And you are making the assumption that money is the only measure of success.