Who Gives More?

I would not have written the headline which appears in the article, but you know the news media.  They're always ready to incite conflict.  The headline read:

The Rich Less Charitable Than Middle Class: Study

What I would have written:

Religious People Dig Deeper

From the article buried several paragraphs in:

Religion is the big factor here. "Regions of the country that are deeply religious are more generous than those that are not," the Chronicle said.

Most of the headlines one sees regarding religious belief are negative.  There are many who relish the opportunity to bash the Church or other religious groups because of the actions of their members.  The news media is always ready to run headlines about the next clergy sex scandal--the next fight over homosexuality--the next battle over traditional marriage--the next "religious nutcase" willing to kill himself and others--the groups wishing to take a woman's right to choose what to do with her body away from her--or whatever other negative news they can print. 

I am surprised the author of the article even puts this sentence in the article.  Rarely does anyone print the good that religious folks accomplish, but those of us who are engaged in religious matters know how much good is put forth.  We know the acts of charity and kindness accomplished by our members and those of other faith groups.  We see it all the time.

Religious faith makes a difference in the willingness one has to give and support others, and according to this article, it is a major difference.

Remember that the next time someone tries to tell you religious people are the cause of all the fighting and problems in the world.