Money or Faith?: As this lesson shows, religion and economics helped the colonies to grow. Which of these influences do you think was the strongest in promoting the growth of the United States, religion or economics? Whichever you choose, be sure to justify and explain your answer. In addition, which of these two, if either, do you think influences American society the most today? Again, be sure to explain and justify your answer and if you think there is something else that influences American society the most, please describe it.