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Christianity Today, February, 2007 |

Compassionate Conservatives

Study: Religious people give more than secular, even to nonreligious charities.

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra | posted 1/23/2007 04:12PM

The Religious Right really does put its money where its mouth is—at least more so than its secular rivals, according to a recent study from Syracuse University professor Arthur Brooks.

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A.S.	Posted: January 31, 2007 11:40 AM


I agree with E.H.; if the message was that church-goers of all political stripes give more than those who do not attend corporate worship regularly, and if religious conservatives and religious liberals give equally, why did the headline only mention conservatives? Does that not seem to place more emphasis on politics than on religion? And this in a publication entitled "Christianity Today?"

Clark

Posted: January 31, 2007 9:23 AM

I think Mark and others miss the point. It is not a matter of patting ourselves on the back. There are three possible outcomes to this kind of study: Christians give less than, more than, or about the same as unbelievers. Which outcome would you prefer? We thank God that He is working through us to produce a transformation of our lives, so that our behavior is distinct from the behavior of unbelievers. There have been plenty of other studies (such as of divorce rates) that have failed to distinguish Christian from non-Christian behavior. Such facts dishonor God's name, while such facts as are reported in this study glorify God, not ourselves.

Mark	Posted: January 28, 2007 5:48 PM

Why are we pating ourselves on the back in the first place? It is by God's Grace that we are able to give anything and it is his in the first place. I don't care about liberalism or conservatism. We are believers. Period. And we are called to give what God gives us back to Him. When we begin to think about all the great things we are doing, we begin to forget about God. It is by His Grace alone we are even alive, much less in a position to give others anything.

Swan	Posted: January 25, 2007 3:42 PM


Interesting article. Unfortunately, like happens so often, it gives the impression that religious conservatives are the same as the political Religious Right. There are many who are conservative in their Christian beliefs, but Democrats and Independents, liberals and moderates politically.

Pastor R.

Posted: January 24, 2007 6:39 PM


Great article. I just wish that we could leave the words Conservative and Liberal out of religion. When we stand before God, the only thing that matters is if we are saved. Heaven won't have a Liberal section and a Conservative section. One Party is no greater than the other B-Blessed

Russ	Posted: January 24, 2007 2:41 PM

I would like to believe that if ALL Christians really tithed, great missionary efforts could be undertaken with the promise of support and significant social change could be realized as well. Alas, in the current materialistic culture so pervasive in some churches I fear that more money would simply be poured into even greater and more technologically marvelous Sunday morning experiences for the consumer. The last two sentences of the article sadden me.

George

Posted: January 24, 2007 9:53 AM


Very timely article.

Anonymous

Posted: January 23, 2007 9:49 PM


Those whose goal is only the social Gospel may be falling short. RT

Mike C

Posted: January 23, 2007 8:52 PM

Can we please get rid of labels such as conservatives and liberals? How about Compassionate Christians for a title? The story notes liberal and conservative Christians give at the same rate. I read that as saying all Christians (assuming all Christians fall into these two categories). This is wonderful news except for the reduction in percent of income donated and as noted above for the redirection of funds.

Gordon R.

Posted: January 23, 2007 3:37 PM

Sometime ago I read the words of a great philanthropist who said, "I would never have been able to give God a tithe on my first million dollars if I had not given Him the dime on the first dollar". The opportunity and privilege of tithing is an exciting experience for mankind to identify with what God is doing in the world. Evidently in our world today issues and actions have to be couched in the 'left/right', 'liberal/conservative' frame of reference to get much of an audience. Isn't it interesting that God has not propsed a 'raise' for His cause. As has been implied, if all professed believers tithed there would be no lack for adequate ministry to the orld. EXCELLENT ARTICLE! Well written! Rich insight and content.

angela

Posted: January 23, 2007 3:23 PM

The title got me. I remember hearing then running G. W. Bush in person at at Ga. Republican Womens group that went to Seattle, Wash. He spoke of being a compassionate conservative. How can you be conservative without compassionate they mean the same thing. I applaud President Bush, he is trying I believe to have us all take responsiblity for our country, state, and communites by our time, talents, and gifts. Be blessed :)

Pete	Posted: January 23, 2007 12:41 PM


It is always interesting that the left leaning press is always is the first to bring up the subject of relgion, then they are the religous left are those that complain the loudest that it was brought up.

M.P.	Posted: January 23, 2007 12:04 PM


Great reporting steps past the obvious (political) pandering ("Compassionate Conservatives"). I object to the political record of it's pacs not the generousity of individuals...which is admirable. There's nothing compassionate about insisting all citizens adopt the conservative political agenda. To me compassion should be stay a personal faith issue, not a media talking point.

Dave N

Posted: January 23, 2007 11:50 AM

While I have heard of this study, it is good to read a summary. I am a little disappointed that Christian conservatives did not mention the Biblical principles of giving that are clear in both the Old and New Testaments. I believe in our 21st century environment, we have lost sight that all we have including our wealth is a gift of God. It is His and we are to be faithful stewards. If that concept were more pervasive among Christians, the differences that this study identified would be even more striking.

Bill	Posted: January 23, 2007 11:41 AM

Even if this is a small subset of Christians in America the giving is significant. I am discouraged by the last paragraph. It seems that the money is being redirected to our own comfort rather than those in need. It is my belief that this is exactly what we should not be doing. Hopefully our pastors will wake up and realize that putting on a show to draw in more believers is not the way the church grows. It is important for us as stewards to make sure what we give is effective and in line with scripture. If it means taking the money and giving it directly to the needy. If I read the article correctly even with the tax loss it would be more effective.

Bill H.

Posted: January 23, 2007 11:39 AM

I'm glad to know that people of faith are more likely to give, regardless of their political leanings. I would hope that the generosity of God to us, and His spirit's leadership in our lives would have this side-effect that benefits the world. Can you imagine the social change that would occur if ALL Bible-believing Christians were REALLY tithing, and giving to charities? As far as the headline, I'd like to note that it probably comes from the book's actual title, more than any type of editorializing by Christianity Today.

Dan	Posted: January 23, 2007 11:03 AM

I think there's a problem with the fuzzy usage of "religious conservatives". Several decades ago, this meant people who were THEOLOGICALLY conservative. For Protestants, that meant Evangelicals, Fundamentalists, and most Pentecostals and Charismatics. However, with the rise of the Religious Right as a political movement, "religious conservatives" has come to mean "politically-conservative religious people" to many... in other words, the religious right-wing of the Republican party. What I think this study shows is not only that Christians are much more likely to give, but specifically that Christians who are active in a church are more likely to give. It is yet another proof that God desires us to be part of a worshiping and discipling community, because it is in this community that he brings glory to himself and in which he grows Kingdom living.

E.H.	Posted: January 23, 2007 9:43 AM

While I won't argue that religious conservatives outnumber religious liberals, such folks do exist and as your story states, give at the same rate as religious conservatives. Unfortunately, your headline creates a different impression, essentially skewing the fact that all religious people give more, regardless of their political leaning. Please remember that the body of Christ includes Democrats and Independents, liberals and moderates. We are as committed to our faith as those who consider themselves part of the Religious Right.

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