CHICAGO -- Those attend religious services weekly perform more acts of kindness each year than those who do not attend services.

That is among the findings of an inaugural national survey of altruism and empathy, Baptist Press reported.

The study, by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, found that people who never attend church perform an average of 96 acts of helping others each year, while those who attend weekly and take part in other religious activities report performing 128 acts of kindness.

Donating blood, giving food or money to a homeless person, returning money to a cashier after getting too much change, allowing a stranger to go ahead in line or spending time talking with someone who is depressed are among the acts of kindness identified.

The connection between religious observance and charitable behavior was consistent across religious groups such as Protestants, Catholics and Jews in the study, according to the study.

"The connection between good deeds and religion probably indicates that people are reflecting the religious teachings of charity that are central beliefs of most major religions," said Tom W. Smith, author of the study in a news release.

"For most religions, an important part of the belief system is an admonition to love other people and to do good deeds. The people who attend weekly services hear that quite a lot," he said. "Also, people in a religious congregation are nested in a community that provides them with opportunities to do good deeds and reach out to others."

The study, called "Altruism in Contemporary America: A Report from the National Altruism Study," also found that women are more empathetic than men when it comes to feeling protective toward people, being disturbed by the misfortune of others, feeling pity for others and being softhearted in general, the news service reported.
Researchers asked 1,366 people age 18 and older questions in 2002.