Why do Christians donate more to charity than atheists?

Question

Ok, the question in the header doesn't actually cover my question. It's actually: Where do some Christians get the information from that Christians are so much more generous than other people?

It's hard to find accurate statistics on it, because a person doesn't put his religion under a donation.

If I read statistics on the Tsunami for example, a Christian nation like the USA donated less than 1 dollar per capita. A secular nation like Sweden donated 17 dollars per capita.

Mind you, I don't believe any group is more generous than others. I simply think that every person has generousity in his/her heart. And I believe that generousity is a personal subject that should be kept private.

But, why do I see so many Christians on this website make the claim that Christians are more generous than others. Are there any statistics, world-wide, that support that claim?

Earl D, don't make random claims that are simply incorrect. The USA gives 0.17% of their GNP to foreign aid, whereas most western countries give more than 0.7%. That's a huge difference. I don't blame that on anybody but Bush, btw.

Answer 1

I've actually seen statistics that Jews give more than anyone else, because whereas in Christianity, it's ok to give your 10% to the church, in Judaism, it is given to charities. And it's a mitzvah, and Judaism being a religion about following mitzvot, they tend to place more importance on it.

I wish I had the source. I'm sure if you google it you'd find one.

Answer 2

They probably think "We had a fundraiser to raise money for our new church roof. 100% of donations came from Christians - those Atheists are not generous people".

Personally I give around $80 a month to charity and 4 weeks of the year doing volunteer work on charity projects around the world. On the projects I have worked, the majority of people are Atheists or Agnostic.

The impression I get is that Christians are generous for their own benefit. If giving the money will build a better church then go for it. If a Tsunami hit the south coast of Sweden, then the Swede's should have prayed more instead of being evil Atheists.

Of course not all Christians are like this.

Answer 3

"No, there certainly are no statistics 2 support that ridiculous claim!!!" I manage a nice home restraunt in my local area, and we get a lot of church people come in after services on weds. & sunday mornings & nights. Now, our waitresses don't make much money in thier hourly pay, & pretty much count on thier tips for thier income. I've got to tell you, these folks leave no room for bragging in the way of generousity. Most generally,we find these folks (not all, but a large majority of them) to be rude, loud, overbearing, hypocritical, & the only thing they leave on the tables for the wait staff is mostly a mess. Give me your normal everyday folks anyday. I try my best not to be judgemental in any way, because I have to be professional to all my customers, no matter who thay are, but, can I testify of the generousity of chistians? Please, pass the christian collection plate around a few more times, will ya!!!

Answer 4

I do not believe that to be true other wise we would have more clout.....It is the secular world that give more, especially for tax purposes......some Christians think that we have to be humble and poor. That pleases God? Abraham and David was not poor...the Israelites left Egypt rich. These people may have been poor at first,but God blessed them above and beyond. What can one do for the Kingdom poor? Jesus is the king ,but he became poor on earth so that we, by our faith can be rich. You can not buy Churches,books and pay bills being poor,there is no joy in depts. Credit cards or not a positive to the needs of man. Mortgages or not a blessing with high interest rates. loans are also a long time pressure to man. God said we will be the head and not the tail,we will lend and not borrow. Christians believe what they want too. I wish I did have lots,no unlimited money,I would make the poor rich with my giving. Not a hungry American child in sight....Give me Lord ,I will do it. First for us and then for them!
Sure Satan will make an attempt to stop the flow,but he can not stand forever....keep it coming Lord.Keep it coming. The wealth of the sinner is layed up for the just! God uses whom he choses be it sinner or Christian.

Answer 5

Many Christians give regularly to charity through tithing, which is giving 10% of one's income to the church, and most churches support local food banks, shelters, and other community outreach organizations. It's possible that the claims you've come across of some Christians concerning their generosity verses athiests is because Christians are supposed to give this 10% automatically, without considering how they will spend the rest of their income. Athiests have no such rule.

Answer 6

These are all stupid and biased answers. The Swedes give more to charity because it's state sponsored money that comes from taxation, not people freely donating money, you dummies! Everyone knows the US are the biggest of givers to charity, and the US is 80% Christian.

Answer 7

Markyyy, you know that "Planned Parenthood" does not count.

Seriously, I am sure that both groups givea great deal to charities...to be honest I have no statistics on the percentages of either.

I personally, give to a Christian mission "Hand of Help"---that aids those in your neck of the woods(Romania). They provide cows for milking,build small homes and operate a very large Orphanage.....

Answer 8

Christians give a lot to charity, even Christians who do not go to the church. We all could certainly give more.

Bush is not to blame on this matter.

I do not know any other country that rebuilds and supports the countries where they have had wars.

Russia ruined Finland and stole our lands, and made Finnish people to pay for it.

Answer 9

Being agnostic myself, my personal observation is
that at least of the people around me, the religious
tend to be more organized about charity than those
who aren't.

Enough disclaimers for you?

However, dollar per dollar ... no idea. And yes, I think
a lot of it has to do with the gestalt of the country you
are in. The US does tend to depend on its religious
institutions to do the organizing.

Answer 10

I very much believe that part of "religion" is to mark adherents like a cat marks a rosebush. With this kind of reporting you count every fencepost and tree as being the work of the cat yet it's the rose that really produces all the good fragrance.