The paper deconstructs ”sustainable development” by using Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) as a critical futures research framework. It does this in the context of understanding the issue of mainstreaming religion in leading International Development Institutions (IDI). The goal is a set of strategies for transforming IDI's vis avis their current model of sustainability. The result, brought about by applying the CLA framework in an upward motion, reveals how religion could be introduced as a cross-cutting issue in the present development framework; advocating the ability of religion to eradicate poverty; level genders, save the environment, conduct good governance, and promote private sector development. Thereby, a former controversial issue is mainstreamed to a level of public acceptance.