The Wrong Impression

Former Sen. John Edwards has turned his attention to wooing voters of faith a feat made more complicated by his recent refusal to fire two anti-religion bloggers. Though the controversy died when the women left of their own accord, Edwards is still trying to carve a niche among evangelicals.

In a discussion with beliefnet's David Kuo, Edwards was asked what parts of American life he thought would outrage Jesus. He responded, "Our selfishness... I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us... what we're doing about [poverty]."

An examination of conscience is always a good idea, but Edward's broad assertion about American "selfishness" deserves scrutiny. In fact, as Arthur Brooks notes in his book Who Really Cares, one of the best things that could happen in the fight to reduce poverty would be for Americans to become more religiously conservative.

The reality is that of religious conservatives, secular conservatives, religious liberals, and secular liberals, "religious conservatives are the most likely to give away money each year (91%)." Brooks goes on to write, "Religious people are, inarguably, more charitable in every measurable way. Meanwhile people deeply embedded on the political left are usually not part of a 'culture' of giving." Edwards' claim that the U.S. has turned its back on the poor and destitute is deeply misleading. "Approximately three out of four families make charitable donations each year... [or] up to about a quarter trillion dollars per year," Brooks says. Simply being more vocal about the poor doesn't mean one is more likely to donate his own money to do something about it.