This paper explores the relationship between culture, specifically religion and language, and investor protection in 49 countries. The authors find that the origin of a country's legal system is more important than its religion or language in explaining shareholder rights, while a country's principal religion better predicts cross-sectional variation in creditor rights. Catholic countries protect creditors less than other countries, and long-term debt is less important in these countries. The openness to international trade mitigates the influence of religion on creditor rights. Religion and language are also important predictors of how countries enforce rights. The paper concludes that culture matters for investor rights, with religion being crucial for creditor rights but not for shareholder rights, and language and religion influencing the enforcement of rights. The study also examines the role of politics and openness to trade in shaping investor protection.This paper explores the relationship between culture, specifically religion and language, and investor protection in 49 countries. The authors find that the origin of a country's legal system is more important than its religion or language in explaining shareholder rights, while a country's principal religion better predicts cross-sectional variation in creditor rights. Catholic countries protect creditors less than other countries, and long-term debt is less important in these countries. The openness to international trade mitigates the influence of religion on creditor rights. Religion and language are also important predictors of how countries enforce rights. The paper concludes that culture matters for investor rights, with religion being crucial for creditor rights but not for shareholder rights, and language and religion influencing the enforcement of rights. The study also examines the role of politics and openness to trade in shaping investor protection.