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Study puts monetary value on good works done by U.S. religious organizations
Religion News Service Religion is worth $1.2 trillion a year to the American economy, according to the first comprehensive study of the question. “In perspective, that would make religion the 15th largest national economy in the world, ahead of 180 other countries in terms of value,” according to the study’s author, Brian J. Grim, president of the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation and an associate scholar at Georgetown University’s Religious Freedom Project. “That would also make American religion larger than the global revenues of the top 10 tech companies, including Apple, Amazon and Google, or the combined annual revenue of the six largest American oil companies,” Dr. Grim said as he released the study Sept. 14 in a speech at the National Press Club in Washington. Dr. Grim understands why the religious and nonreligious alike might look upon the exercise of valuing religion’s contribution to the economy skeptically. To put a value on the work of the nation’s 344,000 religious congregations representing all faiths, Dr. Grim looked at the schools, the soup kitchens, the addiction recovery programs and other activities they run and the programs’ impacts on local economies. He found that congregations and religiously oriented charity groups are responsible for 130,000 alcohol and drug abuse recovery programs; 94,000 programs to support veterans and their families; 26,000 programs to prevent HIV/AIDS and to support people living with the disease; and 121,000 programs to train and support the unemployed. They also operate more than 50,000 schools. He also determined that churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship employ hundreds of thousands of people and buy everything from flowers to computers to snow removal services. He believes the $1.2 trillion figure he came up with is a “conservative” valuation of the annual work of religious organizations in American society. Why crunch the numbers? Dr. Grim believes it is good to know the impact religion has on the nation. Dr. Grim also wants congregations and clergy — and the society that benefits from the charitable work— to appreciate the size of the contribution. In a country where people often hear much more about the evils committed by religious people — from sex abuse scandals to genocide — it’s time for some “balance,” Dr. Grim said. Even clergy often downplay the value of their work, said Ram Cnaan, director of the Program for Religion and Social Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Cnaan, who attended the National Press Club presentation to help Dr. Grim unveil his work, said the study would allow the religious to take pride in their contributions. “This is a new day for the people who study congregations,” he said of Dr. Grim’s work, “The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis.” “This is the beginning of a national debate — not if religion is important but how much it is important,” Dr. Cnaan said. Dr. Grim said that secular organizations like the Red Cross and the Cancer Society and the host of other nonprofits certainly contribute generously to the social health of the nation. Indeed, he said if the work of the religiously motivated did not exist, “I don’t think we would see all the good of society disappearing. However, I think it would be significantly less.” William A. Galston, a Brookings Institution scholar and a former Clinton administration domestic policy adviser who writes on religion and society, called Dr. Grim’s estimate of $1.2 trillion “a sensible number.” Dr. Grim’s paper, Dr. Galston said, can be used by religious organizations as “a credible calling card to get in the door” of policymakers who have too long undervalued their importance to society.
Sharon Baptist Church building no longer for sale
Sharon Baptist Church in Jackson Ward is still on the market, according to a major Richmond real estate company’s website.
Henrico County’s leaf collection starts Nov. 7
Henrico County will begin providing annual leaf collection services starting Monday, Nov. 7, with both free and paid options available for county residents.
Fifth Street Baptist, Richmond Convention Center free Thanksgiving meal sites
Two free Thanksgiving dinners are being prepared for the Richmond community.
MJBL to host annual Inner City Classic baseball championship and symposium Aug. 4-8
The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League will host its annual Inner City Classic championship week of activities with a virtual Bobby Bonds Memorial Symposium, an in-person home run derby and nine in-person baseball games at fields around Metro Richmond.
Applications being accepted for new Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program
Applications currently are being accepted for the Dominion Energy Educational Equity Scholarship Program, a new $10 million scholarship fund announced by the energy giant in July to aid African-American, Latino and other young people from under-represented groups seeking a college education or vocational training.
Richmond’s top tourism promoter to retire
The Richmond area’s biggest cheerleader for tourism is headed for retirement. Known for his energy and enthusiasm for all things Richmond, John F. “Jack” Berry Jr. has announced that he will end his 31 years at the helm of Richmond Regional Tourism on June 30.
Black women’s hair and chemicals nothing to relax about
In case you have missed this, a major lawsuit is underway to benefit Black women who used chemical hair relaxers and later developed uterine and ovarian cancer.
‘Dialogue’ pages create feedback for School Board
Richmond Public Schools wants to make it easier for parents, students, teachers and the public to ask School Board members questions, make suggestions, express concerns or compliment their work — and get responses in a timely manner.
Julian Bond: He inspired us
He was a revolutionary. Those who knew him before his death Saturday, Aug. 15, also describe Julian Bond as a civil rights icon, a pioneer, a poet and a national treasure.
Construction to start Aug.16 on GRTC Pulse
Alert: Construction is about to begin on GRTC’s Pulse, the $65 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system linking Rocketts Landing to The Shops at Willow Lawn.
Virginia Arts Festival to feature Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis
Noted operatic soprano Kathleen Battle, a five-time Grammy Award winner, will be featured in “Kathleen Battle: Underground Railroad” as part of the Virginia Arts Festival.
Plunky and Oneness wins 2 IMA awards
Plunky and Oneness, a Richmond-based jazz-funk fusion group, is among the winners in the 2016 Independent Music Awards.
Steel fabrication company to open in South Side
A York, Pa., company is creating 70 jobs for welders, machine operators, truck drivers and others in Richmond after re-opening a factory and warehouse in South Side that most recently was used to build large bridge components.
Public meetings slated on city parking issues
Parking is one of the key issues that City Hall is seeking to address as it moves ahead in preparing a new master plan for Richmond. A series of meetings began this week to allow residents in seven areas where parking is a contentious issue to review and discuss recommendations from a consultant, DESMAN.
804 Coaches for Change holds initial rally at Ashe statue
An energetic group called 804 Coaches for Change has its foot on the gas pedal with no thoughts of slowing down anytime soon.
June 16 deadline approaching for absentee ballot applications
Early voting in the upcoming Tuesday, June 23, primary is underway. Rule changes are making it fairly easy to vote absentee ahead of Election Day in the contests to choose Democratic and Republican nominees to run for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
Family Easter at Maymont and Easter on Parade highlight season this weekend
Two of Richmond’s most popular seasonal events are being held this weekend — the Dominion Energy Family Easter at Maymont on Saturday, April 20, and Easter on Parade on Monument Avenue on Sunday, April 21.
‘Zero tolerance for sexual harassment’
Editor’s note: This letter was sent last week by the Virginia Speaker of the House designee to the Capitol Square community.
