Conservatives Are More Generous

[Pryderi]

I apologize if this has been already posted. Would tithing to Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson be included in these numbers?


http://www.beliefnet.com/story/204/story_20419_1.html
"When it comes to helping the needy, Brooks writes: "For too long, liberals have been claiming they are the most virtuous members of American society. Although they usually give less to charity, they have nevertheless lambasted conservatives for their callousness in the face of social injustice."

The book's basic findings are that conservatives who practice religion, live in traditional nuclear families and reject the notion that the government should engage in income redistribution are the most generous Americans, by any measure.

Conversely, secular liberals who believe fervently in government entitlement programs give far less to charity. They want everyone's tax dollars to support charitable causes and are reluctant to write checks to those causes, even when governments don't provide them with enough money.

Such an attitude, he writes, not only shortchanges the nonprofits but also diminishes the positive fallout of giving, including personal health, wealth and happiness for the donor and overall economic growth.
All of this, he said, he backs up with statistical analysis.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. ..........with other peoples lives in Iraq

[bryant69]

2. I believe that that work is the result of cherry picking the results

the authors wanted, as witnessed by the copy. The whole point to the book is to slam liberals for our lack of generosity, so with that as a starting point, one assumes there might be some monkeying with the numbers.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[One_Life_To_Give]

3. Uses the IRS definition?

I assume they are using the Chartible Contributions as defined in the IRS Tax Code. That would include tithing to a church and any other Non-Profit.

[greyl]

4. Sure, because they tithe 10% of what they steal.

Actually, Skinner had an interesting post regarding this issue & John Stossel's piece on 20/20 last week.

[jwirr]

5. Conservatives may be more generous for two reasons: first

they take it off on their taxes and second, they donate only to their own causes. Take a look at who benefits from their donations and see how many of the truly needy get any of their money.