Compassionate Conservatives Give More

Here's a link to an interesting article in Christianity Today about the study that came out a few months ago that indicated that conservatives are the most generous givers.

Generous giving is part of the religious conservative identity, according to sociologist Tony Campolo. "The Religious Right, by conviction, is convinced that helping the poor is something that should be done individually or by the church," said Campolo. "[They say that] asking the state to do it is wrong."

Another study by the Christian research organization Empty Tomb Inc. said evangelicals gave away 6.7 percent of their income in 1968. By 2004, that figure had dropped to 4.4 percent. Also, more money is staying within the church to pay for things like music and technology. Evangelical churches on average designate only about 2 percent of their budgets to missions.