GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES - THE EFFECTS OF RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, RELIGIOSITY, AND DESERVEDNESS ON GENEROSITY TOWARD THE POOR

Few studies in recent sociological literature include detailed analysi s of how religious affiliation and religiosity affect perceptions of t he poor. In this paper, data from the 1986 GSS Factorial Survey Supple ment are wed to examine the effects of religion affiliation and religi osity on generosity toward poor families, and on factors which affect such generosity. The analysis suggests that religious affiliation has a strong relationship with levels of generosity, and that indicators o f deservedness vary among faith groups.