PUBLICATIONS BY Ryan Messmore
Research
Commentary
2009 Research
April 10, 2009
Proposed Decrease in Charitable Tax Deduction Crowds Out Civil Society
By Ryan Messmore
(Backgrounder #2258)
President Barack Obama’s proposal to raise taxes and reduce charitable deductions for the wealthy mistakenly suggests that government bureaucracy can deploy citizens’ resources more effectively than nonprofit civil society organizations can. It moves the dial of social responsibility one more notch in the direction of the state at the expense of local institutions that serve the poor more personally and efficiently.
April 03, 2009
Obama's Proposal to Reduce Charitable Deductions Would Hurt Civil Society, Expand Government
By Ryan Messmore
(WebMemo #2379)
Congress should resist President Obama's proposal to reduce the tax deduction rate on charitable gifts from high-income earners.
January 16, 2009
Religious Freedom Day: A Timely Reminder
By Ryan Messmore
(WebMemo #2225)
Since 1993, the President has annually proclaimed January 16 “Religious Freedom Day.” This proclamation is timely, as religious freedom faces new challenges in current public policy debates.
2008 Research
December 16, 2008
Protecting and Strengthening Religious Freedom
By Ryan Messmore and Thomas M. Messner
(Special Report #36)
President-elect Obama, you spoke truthfully when you said that "[o]ur law is by definition a codification of morality, much of it grounded in the Judeo–Christian tradition."
August 01, 2008
The Difference One Church Can Make
By Ryan Messmore
(Backgrounder #2167)
That a single congregation can make a great difference is demonstrated by the First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Florida. Its members' faith touches all areas of the lives of people they serve and provides an example of social responsibility that goes hand in hand with personal faith, striving to serve all aspects of people's well-being while remaining faithful to core beliefs.
April 15, 2008
Private Faith, Big Government: Understanding the Impact of Marginalizing Religion
By Ryan Messmore
(Backgrounder #2123)
In the 20th century, America witnessed a significant transition toward a privatized understanding of reli¬gion. Social and political pressures have prompted many to view religion as inappropriate in public or political arenas. Meanwhile, trends within many churches have contributed to narrowing the focus of faith. As a result, where people once considered reli¬gion as relevant to many aspects of life and society, pre¬vailing notions now often constrict it to spiritual beliefs and psychological health. This marginalized, inward-looking faith has the potential to weaken the perceived responsibility and social relevance of local churches.
2007 Research
October 24, 2007
Freedom of Religious Schools and Employers Threatened by ENDA
By Ryan Messmore and James Sherk
(WebMemo #1677)
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2007 could hamper job creation and does not adequately protect the rights of religious organizations.
September 17, 2007
Government for the Good of the People: Ten Questions about Freedom, Virtue, and the Role of Government
By Ryan Messmore
(WebMemo #1620)
Today’s political debates are often muddied by misconceptions of the role of government and its responsibility to American citizens. What are the limits of good government? How can the virtues necessary for freedom flourish? Sustaining ordered liberty depends on good answers to these questions.
August 20, 2007
Longing for Belonging and the Lure of the State
By Ryan Messmore
(Backgrounder #2063)
The case for limited government can be strengthened by acknowledging the fundamental human longing for a sense of belonging and recognizing that local participatory communities are best equipped to meet this need. The national government has an important role in protecting such communities, which includes preserving rather than absorbing their rightful authority and functions.
August 02, 2007
My Neighbor’s Keeper? Rethinking Responsibility and the Role of Government
By Ryan Messmore
(Backgrounder #2058)
It is only when local communities based on personal interaction fail to provide for people’s needs that government responsibility comes into play. Even in such cases, policy should acknowledge the responsibility that such institutions as families, neighborhoods, and churches have for their members and remove barriers and disincentives for them to act in personal ways to solve problems.
February 27, 2007
A Moral Case Against Big Government: How Government Shapes the Character, Vision, and Virtue of Citizens
By Ryan Messmore
(First Principles #9)
The case for good, limited government is incomplete if it proceeds only in terms of the effects upon individual freedom or the fiscal implications of expanded government programs. Governing is a moral task, and the size and scope of government have moral implications for society, including its members’ ability to fulfill their ethical obligations to one another.
2009 Commentary
April 22, 2009
Earth Day: 'Amen, but...'
By Ryan Messmore
It's not easy being green, at least not as easy as some suggest. For almost 40 years, advocates of Earth Day have called on people to celebrate environmental progress and to protect our planet. To this goal, Christians can say a hearty "Amen, but..."
2008 Commentary
December 22, 2008
The Star of Bethlehem and the Star-Spangled Banner
By Ryan Messmore
In recent weeks, Washington has gobbled up troubled institutions like they were Christmas cookies. Whether through bailing out businesses or nationalizing industries, Uncle Sam's shadow over our economy seems to grow by the day.
December 01, 2008
Taking Time for Justice
By Ryan Messmore
“When you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” So goes the rationale behind tax policies that redistribute income, at least as it was offered to Joe the Plumber several weeks ago. The idea, promoted as simple social justice, is that government should help the poor by taking money from the wealthy (through increased taxes) and giving it to those in need (through government social programs).
August 15, 2008
Preparing the Way: Evangelicals and the election
By Ryan Messmore
Are evangelicals swerving to the left in American politics? Throughout the primary season, the mainstream media loudly trumpeted the idea that younger evangelicals’ attention to the environment and “social justice” issues signals a departure from traditional concerns such as abortion and marriage.
July 11, 2008
Power of the personal
By Ryan Messmore
How do we meet people's basic needs in America? The answer often depends on where we stand.
June 30, 2008
Success of faith-based initiatives prove the power of the personal
By Ryan Messmore
How do we meet people's basic needs in America? The answer often depends on where we stand.
April 21, 2008
Evangelicals...and Justice From All
By Ryan Messmore
When it comes to faith and politics, young evangelicals are getting a lot of attention these days. Several recent polls and a slew of new books suggest social-justice concerns are prompting evangelicals under the age of 30 to move left politically. As part of the largest religious group in the United States, their political allegiances are under particular scrutiny, especially during a cliffhanger election year.
2007 Commentary
December 21, 2007
Politics, God and Blue Devils
By Ryan Messmore
As one national search heats up, another has just concluded. With the first primaries taking place in January, Republicans and Democrats are trying to choose a nominee for president. With the college football recruiting deadline also in January, Duke University has just hired a new head football coach.. Surprisingly, the focus of the presidential campaign has been dominated lately by religion. Less surprisingly, the focus among Duke sports fans has been basketball. The spotlight on presidential candidates’ faith seems to have hit a constitutional nerve among some commentators. Article VI of the Constitution prohibits a religious test for office, they note, implying that it’s unconstitutional for citizens to vote for a candidate on this basis.
December 18, 2007
Giving Faith Its Due on the Campaign Trail
By Ryan Messmore
Out on the presidential campaign trail this year, candidates and commentators have had plenty to say about religion. Unfortunately, the conversation leaves a lot to be desired.
December 17, 2007
A Religious Test for Office?
By Ryan Messmore
As the presidential primaries draw near, the nation is again focused on the candidates and their faith. During a recent Republican debate, a citizen viewer asked the candidates: "How you answer this question will tell us everything we need to know about you. Do you believe every word of [the Bible]?"
2006 Commentary
December 23, 2006
Charitable Giving Benefits Giver As Much as Receiver
By Ryan Messmore
On Monday morning, millions of Americans will gather with loved ones to engage in a vitally important social activity: giving gifts.
January 05, 2006
A Christian Political Fast?
By Ryan Messmore
How much political involvement can Christians stomach and still remain true to their faith?
November 20, 2009
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