Poverty, conservatism, and evangelicals
Spokane is one of the most conservative cities in Washington. It has the highest rate of evangelical Christians. It also has the highest poverty rate in the state. Is there a correlation between conservatism or evangelicalism and poverty? As someone who is fairly conservative, I find this thought disturbing.
My job is to do community outreach for a college. I spend my days working with special interest groups, churches, non-profits, and charities. The people that seem the least interested in helping the poor are the evangelicals. Well, maybe not the least interested--they want to help, but they are least likely to do something.
Labels: Poverty
posted by RickCapezza @ 12:04 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
A corollary idea is how often Mormon families are fairly affluent. Exceptions will always be found in both, but you can see that there is a generalization people can make.
*If* there is a connection between one's religion and one's wealth state,
[inflammatory statement to follow]
it must be found in a mental attitude dictating financial behavior-- and consequently, financial standing.
What if those financial gurus are right: The thoughts we have dictate our wealth. Think wealthy, and it will come.
~~
Just had another thought on the subject.
What if Spokane's high welfare rate is in direct relation to the evangelical presence? Evangelicals are doing their best by voting for government programs to reach out.
Unfortunately, to qualify for many of these programs, one's income must be below a certain level.
Perhaps the government program fosters poverty by requiring poverty to access its aid.
(the only feasible way out is to offer aid to "middle class" or financially strong people -- tough to get that voted through.)
I don't believe evangelicals are "doing their best by voting for government programs to reach out." I would say the opposite. Evangelicals, however flawed their effort, have made an overall push against government programs...perhaps not in the Ron Paul fashion you would like to see, but they definitely tend to side more with Republicans than Democrats. Generally speaking, I think poverty is higher in major cities in red states than in major cities in blue states.
I think the most feasible way out is to offer aid that helps people get out rather than perpetuate their poverty. I admit some people do not want to get out of poverty, but the vast majority cannot see a way out because they are too busy struggling to survive.
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