American generosity on top: 12-23-11

Yes, I know many of us are busy with last-minute Christmas preparations (and with celebrating the birth on this date in 1889 of Swiss theologian Emil Brunner), but I'd like to take a minute to pat Americans on the back.

A new survey says that the United States now ranks as the No. 1 charitable nation in the world.

The survey, reported this week by CAFAmerica, a member organization of the United Kingdom-based Charities Aid Foundation International Network of Offices, shows the U.S. moved from No. 5 in 2010 to No. 1 now.

The survey looks at three measures of charity -- donating money, volunteering time and helping strangers. And as you can read in the press release to which I've linked you above, the charity index is "based on over 150,000 Gallup polling interviews with members of the public in 153 countries."

You can read the full report for yourself, but I think it's worth a cheer for American generosity. And it's worth noting that much of that generosity -- though certainly not all -- is motivated by religious belief.

In any case, if you're part of what makes this a generous country, thanks. If not, what's stopping you?

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NEW DEFINITION OF HANUKKAH

Loved this Tweet from comedian and author Andy Borowitz: "Hanukkah is the most American holiday because it's a celebration of burning oil that we don't have." (People sensitive to &^*%^# language might want to avoid clicking on the Borowitz link.)