Probably the most notable statistics, though, are those which compare religious and non-religious philanthropy. Religion is supposed to make us better people, which includes, I assume, being more generous. So, is it the case that religious people give more generously than the non-religious?
Well, yes and no. Remember that statistic, that 65% of religious people donate to charity? The non-religious figure is 56%. But according to the study, the entire 9% difference is attributed to religious giving to congregations and religious organizations. So, yes, religion causes people to give more--to religion itself.
--snip--
So, most religious people are equally generous; they only give more than non-religious people because they give to religious organizations.
MORE: http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/culture/7417/new_study__three_quarters_of_american_giving_goes_to_religion/
See also...
Are Religious People Really More Generous Than Atheists? A New Study Puts That Myth to Rest
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/11/28/are-religious-people-really-more-generous-than-atheists-a-new-study-puts-that-myth-to-rest/
