| Scandinavian countries are the only nations according | | | | Secondly let us agree upon our Muslim brothers and |
| to the UN reports who give .7% of GNP toward | | | | sisters "faith based giving." But before going further a |
| foreign aid, yet all nations agreed to this threshold of | | | | very different world outlook is contained in the Asia |
| giving in 1970. (1) | | | | Times in terms of our discussion on "faith based giving" |
| In the case of the United States private donations can | | | | and its future ramifications and the relevance of two |
| be tracked which amount to approximately double the | | | | world groups. |
| amount through direct financial aid agreed upon in 1970. | | | | The UN or CIA estimates are probably on the high |
| (2) | | | | side. A current and more reliable estimate of 1.79 billion |
| Although in the case of the United States or any other | | | | (5) is used for this discussion. The average income for |
| nation for that matter, private donations are recognized | | | | our Muslim brothers and sisters ranges from an |
| as an indication of generosity, a nation should rightfully | | | | average low of $3,700 (6) but is declining according to |
| be the most important source of donations, at least | | | | a UN based report (7) and I prefer to err on the low |
| within the UN agreement that all nations signed in 1970. | | | | side. Therefore the average "faith based giving" by our |
| Private donations originating from USA entities are | | | | Muslim brothers and sisters is (1, |
| traceable because most are creatures of "the state" | | | | 790,000,000,000x$3,000x.025) what we might expect |
| either as 501 standing, private foundations, charitable | | | | to average $75 per person or total $134 billion. |
| organizations, individual, partnership or corporation | | | | We can therefore reasonably determine that fewer |
| donations reportable under the Tax Code. A caution is | | | | people giving on average more, are not equal to more |
| in order since the most current levels of donations are | | | | people on average giving less. Hence the relevance of |
| not available because of delays in reporting and | | | | both income, level of giving and relative populations |
| gathering of information. (3) Yet despite these | | | | with respect to "religious faith." |
| difficulties we can get a general idea of the level of | | | | We can also reasonably determine what are the |
| donations or aid from both the private and national | | | | "affects" of displacing those with "religious convictions" |
| level and evaluate whether the giving is going up or | | | | in respect to "faith based giving" either by globalization, |
| down and to which specific nations or regions of the | | | | democratic nation building, the WTO and World Bank |
| world. | | | | to name but a few forces which are radically |
| Not "traceable" is what would be commonly referred | | | | reshaping our world. |
| to as "faith based giving." For instance, in Christian | | | | A final note which is entirely personal and completely |
| denominations located within the USA, the act of giving | | | | biased. If you are currently farming, have land suitable |
| funds toward missionary work or same detonations in | | | | for alternative gardening and have within you a remote |
| another country and so forth is really an introduction to | | | | desire to help others, read the following, otherwise, |
| our Muslim brothers and sisters of the methodology of | | | | that's all folks. Except to say among those whom I |
| giving. Rather than giving from a "Muslim nation" | | | | hold dearest are those who work and toil with their |
| individuals make contributions which are suggested as | | | | hands, especially in farming. |
| 2.5 percent of income, compared to a title by | | | | My expanded reading since retirement has led me to |
| "Christian" which is suggested as 10% of income. | | | | retell in my own words a remarkable story of a very |
| Some not so simple calculations which assume that | | | | poor and ordinary man who lived in Ireland during the |
| either religious group does in fact "give accordingly" | | | | potato famine. |
| would be based upon income averages and "stated" | | | | The man never turned a wanting stranger nor villager |
| populations of either group. | | | | from his home who was in need. This man gave more |
| First let us agree upon what is the average "faith | | | | than his meager holdings, yet always seemed to have |
| based giving" starting with the USA. Assuming that | | | | more to give. |
| $40,000 is GDP for the USA (4). If we accept that | | | | Yet his neighbors often commented that in the end he |
| approximately 80% of citizens in the USA who | | | | would have less than nothing and would eventually be |
| "profess to be Christian" are in fact "Christian" then we | | | | no more. What they had said did came to pass, he |
| might expect average "faith based giving" to average | | | | was buried in a pauper's grave. |
| ($40,000x.80x.10) $3,200 or total based upon our | | | | On his grave site has grown a tree of magnificence, |
| current estimated census of 300 million | | | | which in the darkness of despair seems to grow in all |
| (300,000,000x.80x.10) or 24 billion. | | | | seasons with such vibrancy, that all take notice. |