Changes

Charity is important to most religions, and is practiced by both religious and secular people and organizations.  

Charity is important to most religions, and is practiced by both religious and secular people and organizations.  

*Christianity: the Catholic theologic sense is mentioned above.  Most Christian faiths require practitioners to give of themselves as they are able, following the command of Jesus in Luke 6:30 (KJV): "Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again."  Also, the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46<ref>Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV) [http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat025.html#31]</ref> shows the necessity of charity to [[salvation]].  Mormons are usually said to require to donate 10% of their income to support the church and its works.

*[[Christianity]]: the Catholic theologic sense is mentioned above.  Most Christian faiths require practitioners to give of themselves as they are able, following the command of [[Jesus]] in [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 6:30 ([[KJV]]): "Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again."  Also, the parable of the sheep and the goats in [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 25:31-46<ref>Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV) [http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat025.html#31]</ref> shows the necessity of charity to [[salvation]].  Many Christian denominations ask for a [[tithe]], or one-tenth of the income, to go to the church, a portion of which is then given to charity outside of the church. No specific figure is given for how much to give outside of the church body.

*Islam: charity ('زكاة', 'zakat', in Arabic) is one of the [[Five Pillars]] of the religion. A tithe of money (normally 10%) is given to help the poorest in society.

*[[Islam]]: charity ('زكاة', 'zakat', in Arabic) is one of the [[Five Pillars]] of the religion. A tithe of money (normally 10%) is given to help the poorest in society.

*Judaism:  Judaism uses the concept of ''tzedakah'', or ''righteousness''.  The theology behind this is quite layered and complex.

*[[Judaism]]:  Judaism uses the concept of ''tzedakah'', or ''righteousness''.  The theology behind this is quite layered and complex.

In both the Christian and Islamic faiths, charity is not considered righteous if done to enhance the giver's reputation. Thus private and discreet charity is prompted by love not status.

In both the Christian and Islamic faiths, charity is not considered righteous if done to enhance the giver's reputation. Thus private and discreet charity is prompted by love not status.

:''Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.'' [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 6:1 (Christian Scripture from the [[Bible]])

:''Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.'' [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] 6:1 (Christian Scripture from the [[Bible]])

:''If you give alms openly, it is well; but if you do it secretly and give to the poor, that is better.'' Qur-an 2:271a (Islamic Scripture)

:''If you give alms openly, it is well; but if you do it secretly and give to the poor, that is better.'' [[Koran|Qur-an]] 2:271a (Islamic Scripture)

====United States cities with the highest volunteer participation in religious venues====  

====United States cities with the highest volunteer participation in religious venues====  

* Salt Like City  21.8%

* [[Salt Lake City]] 21.8%

* Charlotte  15.9%

* [[Charlotte]] 15.9%

* Minneapolis/St. Paul  14.6%

* [[Minneapolis]]/[[St. Paul (City)|St. Paul]] 14.6%

* Omaha 14.6%

* [[Omaha]] 14.6%

* Nashville, 14.5%

* [[Nashville]], 14.5%

* Louisville 14.5%

* [[Louisville]] 14.5%

* Tulsa 13.6%

* [[Tulsa]] 13.6%

* Kansas City 12.9%

* [[Kansas City]] 12.9%

* Dallas 12.2%

* [[Dallas]] 12.2%

* Oklahoma City 11.9%<ref>''Christianity Today'', Sept. 2007, Pg. 19</ref>

* [[Oklahoma City]] 11.9%<ref>''[[Christianity Today]]'', Sept. 2007, Pg. 19</ref>

====Americans have a long tradition of charitable giving and volunteerism====

====Americans have a long tradition of charitable giving and volunteerism====