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Are we better at social justice for being religious? That is a question that most religious people would argue in the affirmative. But an important study published in Science Journal actually set out to find out.
The study, entitled “The Origin and Evolution of Religious Prosociality,” sets out to determine whether religion plays an effective role in getting people to act against their immediate personal interests in favor of “community good.” In other words, when it costs us, do we deliver because of our religious beliefs, or do say atheists and others who are agnostic or non-practicing do as much?
The bottom line of this study was reported in Science Daily. The upshot seems to be that, well sometimes, we, as religious folks, do, if in fact we see some benefit from the giving. We definitely respond it seems, if we are acknowledged in our giving. This is somewhat disconcerting, since Jesus suggested we should do so, without one hand knowing what the other was doing. In other words, we should be doing good quietly and mostly anonymously if we wish to find favor with God.
We also respond to being reminded that we are required to think and do for others from our own largess of either time, resources, or talents. This suggests that churches should continue to remind their flocks of their social responsibilities, no matter how uncomfortable is sometimes is to ask, especially in times of economic uncertainty such as we are facing today.
What was more interesting to me, was the finding that historically, organized religion has contributed greatly to our sense of community and our desire to organize into cooperative societies that are stable over time. In other words, religion was a huge contributor to the cultivation of societies which were able to turn their attention away from survival and defense against each other to the task of discovery and growth.
In a real sense, our society today, and our advancements in so many disciplines, are a direct result from the stability offered by religion. That is still not the case today, since over time, we have constructed institutions within our nations and cities governmental structure that now serve the same purpose. We have, in a word, institutionalized the religious precepts of caring for the widow and orphan, and others marginalized in our world.
We have learned to cooperate through religion, and that cooperation has led to institutions who now cooperate for the common good, however that is defined in any given instance. These cultural norms handed down through the generations, have become the norm among all now, religious or not, such that today, no meaningful difference probably exists between the generosity of the believer and non-believer. All are equally moral and feel the same need to be a part of a successful societal group.
Whatever your personal take on the issue, the whole thing raises some issues for all of us. I do believe that religion continues to prompt us individually that we have responsibilities to more than just ourselves. While that message can come from political leaders occasionally, or perhaps even other public figures such as a Susan Sarandon or Bono, we feel it most forcefully in the religious setting, where we are reminded of giving on a regular basis.
My church is full of opportunities to serve the greater society at large. I can volunteer in literally dozens of ways. I have been in contemplation over this for some weeks now. It was easy enough to start attending a weekly adult formation class each Sunday morning. Last week, we discussed the bible and politics, specifically as it relates to immigration. We looked at various biblical references to the “stranger” the “alien” and how we were told we should respond. Most of you, who are religious, know the answer to that of course. We are to treat the “alien” among as as if he were a citizen, we are to care for him, and see to his needs. We are to consider him as ourselves in every meaningful way.
But I have to ask myself this: Is my personal enlightenment, which transfers to blogging and voting enough? I have committed myself to knitting scarves for the homeless. I was led to this by the fine example of Ruth at Visions and Revisions. (You can link via the sidebar.) Yet, I never seem to find the time to begin. I spend literally hours on this computer, slowed by dial-up no doubt, but hours still, reading blogs, reading political websites, and linking you to stories and writing them myself.
I have to ask myself, what am doing? Is it enough? It is all too easy for me to fall into a personal intellectual hole wherein somehow, talking is akin to doing. And that just isn’t so, or at least I believe it is not so. I admit, I serve some minor purpose in blogging, but truly I am talking to folks who already agree with me for the most part. It is easy to see that people begin to slip away over time who find the message not to their liking. This is both clear and rational no doubt. I don’t waste time visiting blogs whose message is against my own beliefs either.
Bear with me, if I sound confused, because I am. I’m trying to figure out where this blog goes in the future, after this election for instance. I haven’t the same passion over the budget or any myriad of issues before Congress, as I do that we turn out this horrid Republican disaster and turn the page to a fresh start with sane people at the helm. And again, what do I accomplish by merely voicing what my readers believe themselves?
How am I reaching out to the “least of these?” How am I making a difference in the lives of real persons? I’m afraid I’ve been kidding myself, asking for God’s grace to wisely and honestly tell it like I truly see it. I’m preaching to the choir and we all know that. So where do I go from here? I’m feeling pretty paltry right now, that I am a good talk, but short on action. I’m off to do some knitting and give this all more thought.
Your opinion and advice matters. Let me know if you have solutions to my dilemma. I’m feeling a bit like a hypocrite today.
Existential Ennui 
Ah Sherry, you’ve moved me to tears because I relate to this kind of soul searching. I ask these questions of myself so often. Constantly, I wonder whether I’m doing enough, or whether I’m navel gazing too much.
I think your blog serves a purpose, and you will find other topics to write about after the election. Or you might merge your two blogs and have a mix of some Bible posts, some personal posts, and some topical posts.
Practically with the knitting, I can give the advice of knitting whenever you watch TV and knitting during church meetings and knitting during “wasted” time like waiting for doctors’ appointments. Once you get that first row cast on, you can find lots of times to do a little here and there.
The other thing I would advise is that if you add more activities at your church, do it slowly. Don’t sign up for bunches of things at once because you’ll need to test each addition to know when you’ve reached your limit. Our rector has a guideline of not asking people to do ministry for at least six months so they have a chance to be fed by the community before serving it. Not saying you have to do that, but it’s a thought.
And of course, think about what special things you have to contribute. My two church “ministries” are helping to lead a writers’ group and working on the communications committee. Both dovetail with my particular talents. If you find where your passions and talents intersect with the church’s ministries, you’re more likely to find a way to serve that will be joyful rather than draining.
Well, Sherry, I certainly don’t think you should give up blogging after the election. You have great insights and you articulate them so well.
The knitting project sounds wonderful…..something to do at home and yet be helping others. Yes, perhaps start out small with volunteering at church. The Lutherans actually teach that one finds what is needful to do just in daily life, that we don’t need to stress over not doing enough or constantly be looking for more things to do. I think, too, that a good place to begin is to ask in prayer for opportunities to be of service. I think doorways will open up then in wonderful ways.
I think we’ll all be a little lost after the election – it’s such an all-consuming subject for many of us. I know I have totally neglected my medical blog (which probably does people a lot more good than my “meanderings”). So I’ll probably spend some time on that after the election, while still commenting on the news and other subjects on my regular blog.
Don’t sell yourself short on your blogging about politics. Sure, we are all preaching to the choir, but sometimes that too is important. It keeps morale up, and hope alive, that each of us is not alone in our passion to bring this country back to where it belongs. With the mainstream media so heavily focused on the right wing (Bill O’Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh, etc.) if we didn’t have the blogs we are reading, we would all feel pretty alone I think! Plus sharing ideas does help get information out to others who may not have made up their minds yet. I know I have used information that I’ve learned from blogs to talk to people about why they should be concerned about McCain or Palin, or why they should vote for Obama. So it isn’t all a waste by any means.
Keep the faith!
Thanks Ruth, I am reorganizing my schedule and this blog a bit to accomodate some time for knitting. I started today!
Thanks for the advice on the Church activities. I’ve already been invited to join the Adult Formation Committee which decides on the topics for bible classes and teaching. I’m still not sure if I will attend, but that does play into my strength for sure. I’m not very sure about night meetings, it’s just not something I’m used to, and its a drive for me. Sigh…just a lot to think about. thanks for your comments, I truly appreciate them.
Jeannelle, you are right of course. I need to slow down. I see so many already at my church who are doing so much. I feel guilty. But I need to listen for that still small voice as it were, and not move too fast, lest I just make a mess for myself and for others. I recognize my callings, mostly I want to work with migrant workers, but so far, haven’t found the avenue.
Maui, thanks for your remarks. I guess I do realize that it has been a big boost to me to find so many who think as I do, and it certainly does keep my morale up. My loving husband allows me a dose of Olbermann every evening to perk me up, and it does help. It’s cheaper than valium! LOL. I guess I should slow down and keep these things in prayer and await my Lord’s good time to help me see the next step. Thank you.
Love this post and the questions you raise. I think religion & spirituality are primarily about how one acts in the world and only secondarily about the content of one’s belief system or thoughts.
Sometimes living with the questions or the dream has led me into the path I considered or desired to walk.
Thank you for sharing with us your questions and dreams. I/we affirm you as you look “outside the box” of your present reality to what could be, what you might like to be.
Plenty of food for thought here. Very succinct and relevant.
Sherry,
It seems to me you’ve always got your finger on the things that matter. Yes, Jesus taught us a living religion that impels us to loving service, just as you are. Yet he didn’t put ethics in the place of religion. He taught religion as a cause and ethics as a result. So as you noted, the highest acts of good are unconscious; the left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing.
Jesus also taught us that religion is a genuine personal experience which cannot be contained within us; that the very consciousness of being a member of his family of believers leads inevitably to the practice of family conduct— the service of our brothers and sisters— it matters little if they are members of the “choir” or not.
Through loving service we can become God-revealing to others; if we trust in God, using the tools he lays before us, we’ll eventually know what he wants us to be doing.
This post is *awesome*!!!! Seriously.
Now for the topic, the one thing I’ve noticed is that most of these studies rarely acknowledge culture. Culture matters. In the US, as an example, people are taught to expect rewards and acknowledgement. In that regard, I don’t think of the score-keeping as a failure of religion but a response to culture.
Make sense?
For the record, I agree with Jesus. Don’t let the left hand know what the right is doing.
~*
BE. Such words! Your take is so helpful. I think that the surprising thing about the journey is that we are always being surprised. Most days, I look with anticipation but sometimes, I feel so very inadequate. God deals gently with me on those days thank goodness. Today, I feel much better! Perhaps its the sun shining after an entire day of rainy gloom yesterday!
David, thank you. I appreciate that you stopped by.
Saitia, your words are always of great value. There is so much wisdom in your thoughts. You give us all much to ponder and I am grateful for your input. I agree that true faith simple bubbles out of us. It is something that cannot be contained. Living Jesus is so much more important than speaking Jesus. Pity so few get that. Thank you for the reminder.
Chani, agreed, but I think that the upshot of the study was that religion shapes culture more than we might think. No doubt your point is well taken that not every cultural norm can or should be attributed to religion. Being acknowledged should not as you suggest. Thanks for your insightful contribution.
There is a lot to think about there and many of your questions I have asked myself. Was it enough to just go to church and worship? What did Jesus REALLY tell me to do? What is it the Bible that is the real basis for my beliefs?
I have asked and searched and studied – and for me, found my answers. I chose to follow Jesus’ footsteps and those of his disciples literally and go door to door, spreading the good news of His coming Kingdom to friend and stranger alike. That is what I believe I am told to do by Jesus (from “house to house”, and “town by town” etc.)
You will find your own answers. First though, I recommend prayer. And to think “outside the box” as well. Best wishes and warm christian love sent your way.
Over from David’s blog. (Authorblog)
Cath, thank you. I agree, we all must find our own way of answering the call. It is helpful to read how others do, and what they think. In the end, it is our own personal journey, albeit one we take with the human race.
Some days I think I would make a good Steward others I am ashamed because I let what someone thinks of me interfere with how I feel about my faith. I think spirituality and religion go hand in hand but that our spirituality is stronger in the long run…religions are run by men, our souls are blessed by God.
Great post…and I came by way of David.
Sandi
Sandi, welcome. I do agree. Our spiritual connection with God drives us. Hopefully it leads us to the religion that is best suited for both the work God has in store for us, and the one that most generously enriches our spirit.