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5. Christian Smith

Christian Smith

William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology

Generosity comes in many forms, according to Smith, director of Notre Dame’s Science of Generosity Initiative. “This includes time, aid, attention, blood, possessions, encouragement, emotional investment and more," he has said. “In countless ways, the world wants for significant growth in the virtue of giving.” Smith’s research focuses largely on the means and motivation by which people give – or don’t – and is currently leading the $5 million Science of Generosity project, funded by the John Templeton Foundation. His books include “Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money,” written with Michael Emerson and Patricia Snell, which explores the reported statistic that American Christian groups typically give away only 1.5% to 2% of their income, as well as “Moral, Believing Animals: Human Personhood and Culture,” “Christian America? What Evangelicals Really Want,” and “Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers,” which received a 2006 book award from Christianity Today magazine.

VIDEOS

ND NEWSWIRE ARTICLES

$1.4 million awarded for scientific research into generosity

Notre Dame sociologist receives funding to continue youth and religion research

Notre Dame professor explores the science of generosity

New study examines Catholic guilt among U.S teens

Soul Searching documentary on work of ND sociologist to premiere at DeBartolo

A Match Made in Heaven

Sociology professor wins award for book on teens’ spirituality

IN THE NEWS

New York Times—The Decline of Evangelical America&

New York Times—Sociologist’s Paper Raises Questions on Role of Faith in Scholarship

World—Good deeds punished

Christian Post—Sociologist Defends Study Questioning Gay Parenting Against Political Attacks

Catholic News Agency—Scholars defend findings of difficulties among same-sex parented children

Associated Press—Howard Ludwig: Does having kids mean you’re more likely to go to church?

Huffington Post—It’s the Spirituality, Stupid: Vital Congregations Cultivate Personal Piety

Huffington Post—Evangelicals and Gay Marriage: Why ‘Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin’ Doesn’t Work

Wall Street Journal—’It’s Mine!’ The Selfish Gene

The New York Times—If It Feels Right…

The New York Times—The Online Looking Glass

USA Today.com—Unraveling the mystery of why we give, or don’t

A Challenge for Churches: Adulthood Takes Its Time

In land of wealth, why are believers poor givers?