Religious Giving: For Love of God

by David H. Smith

Overview

Religious Giving considers the connection between religion and giving within the Abrahamic traditions. Each contributor begins with the assumption that there is something inherently right or natural about the connection. But what exactly is it? To whom should we give, how much should we give, what is the relationship between our giving and our relationship to God? Writing for the introspective donor, congregational leader, or student interested in ways of meeting human needs, the authors focus on the philosophical or theological dimensions of giving. The contributors' goal is not to report on institutional practices, but to provide thoughtful, constructive guidance to the reader—informed by a critical understanding of the religious traditions under review.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253004185
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	04/06/2010
Series:	Philanthropic and Nonprofit Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	220
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

David H. Smith is Director of the Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics and Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at Indiana University. Among his books are Entrusted: The Moral Responsibilities of Trusteeship (IUP, 1995), Early Warning (IUP, 1998), and Good Intentions (IUP, 2005).

Table of Contents

Preface vii

1 Dispelling Common Beliefs about Giving to Religious Institutions in the United States Patrick M. Rooney 1

2 Giving in the Way of God: Muslim Philanthropy in the United States Shariq Siddiqui 28

3 Jewish Giving by Doing: Tikkun Ha-Olam Judith Lynn Failer 49

4 What Does God Require of Us? Byron C. Bangert 65

5 "Freely Give": The Paradox of Obligatory Generosity in Christian Thought Sondra Wheeler 85

6 A Catholic Theology of Philanthropy Edward Vacek, S.J. 99

7 Religious Discernment of Philanthropic Decisions in the Age of Affluence Paul G. Schervish 125

8 Consumer Debt and Christian Money Management: Messages from the Large U.S. Denominations Paula R. Dempsey 147

9 Paging Dr. Shylock! Jewish Hospitals and the Prudent Reinvestment of Jewish Philanthropy Robert A. Katz 162

10 One Man's Extrapolations: Conclusions after Two Years of Listening David H. Smith 185

List of Contributors 195

Index 197

What People are Saying About This

Indiana University–Purdue UniversityIndianapolis - William J. Jackson

Each of the essays is insightful and informative on its own merits, and they stand up quite well as a whole. . . . I know of no comparable book with this focus that travels the same ground and offers the same kinds of insights.

Editorial Reviews

"Each of the essays is insightful and informative on its own merits, and they stand up quite well as a whole. . . . I know of no comparable book with this focus that travels the same ground and offers the same kinds of insights."—William J. Jackson, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

From the Publisher

"Each of the essays is insightful and informative on its own merits, and they stand up quite well as a whole.... I know of no comparable book with this focus that travels the same ground and offers the same kinds of insights." —William J. Jackson, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

William J. Jackson