New Report Finds Charity is in Decline

A recent study by the Giving USA Foundation reports that charitable donations has declined in the recent past.

"June 10, 2009 - Charitable giving fell last year by the largest percentage in five decades, according to a new study by the Giving USA Foundation. Individuals and institutions made gifts and pledges of $307.65 billion, a decrease of 5.7 percent on an inflation-adjusted basis over the $314 billion given in 2007, according to the foundation, a research organization backed by the fund-raising industry." (Faith in Public Life)

Likely due to the recent dire state of the economy, people simply aren't able to set aside as much money and time as in the past when the financial situation was not as bleak.

Nonetheless, in Unity, as in other religious traditions, we believe that tithing and charitable giving is an important part of one's spiritual life. According to what we call the principle of mind-action (which many will note is similar to the law of karma in some eastern traditions), whatever we put out into the world will come back to us abundantly in one way or another, though it could be in a different form than that with which we have given.

Based on Jesus' teaching, "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back," (Lk. 6.38) when we give, donate, or tithe from whatever amount we have we have faith that it will help and serve other for their benefit and also come back to us in turn so that we may again engage in the blessed act of giving.

Stephanie Strom of the New York Times has a write-up of the findings. Read it at Faith in Public Life.

An Pew Forum Interactive Survey

The Pew Forum has put up an interactive survey about the differences in religious belief and American culture. Check it out at USAToday.com.

New Studies Out on LGBT Issues and Progressive Congregations

New studies demonstrate how welcoming LGBT people makes a difference to progressive religious congregations. Two surveys were conducted by Religious Institute of Morality, Justice, and Healing and Institute for Welcoming Resources, and they found:

"Congregations that have undertaken formalized efforts to welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members are more active in social justice, more comfortable addressing sexuality issues and less concerned that LGBT advocacy will reduce membership, according to two national surveys released today." (Religion News Service)

These surveys acknowledge a few important points, but the one that most impresses me is that those congregations which advocate for LGBT issues are much more likely to become involved in other social issues like economic injustice, homelessness, racial inequality, immigration, and so on.

Unity has always advocated for LGBT equality and justice, especially within its own walls, ordaining ministers regardless of sexual orientation and maintaining a welcoming attitude and inclusive metaphysical system of belief and practice. The survey did mention that issues of sexual identity (especially in youth populations) was generally considered under addressed and that even progressive congregations would benefit from more educational resources available to members of their community.

Though Unity does have a stellar record of being open and affirming of any and every sexual orientation, I think it could certainly take heed to this study and perhaps faciliate more educational workshops, literature, etc. about LGBT issues in society, both at the national and local levels. I'm aware that many Unity communities do have discussion groups about these topics, but a more universal and Association-wide advocacy in this capacity would serve the cause well and further establish Unity's position among progressive, welcoming religious communities. Nonetheless, Unity has been most definitely in the forefront in setting a magnificent example of what inclusive congregations can be with open hearts and open minds.

The Religion News Service has a more detailed overview of the studies.