ABSTRACT
Since America’s founding, a host of important organizations driven largely by volunteers have sought to address difficult-to-solve problems that plagued society. The influence of houses of worship has been particularly consequential, ultimately leading to the founding of organizations like the YMCA, Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross. Such associations were formed primarily to connect volunteers to the delivery of social services to improve the life prospects of others. In sum, volunteers provide a staggering economic benefit to society. Just as religion continues to be a major factor in why people choose to volunteer in the first place, it is also a key factor in why so many exhibit prosocial behavior—actions characterized by a concern for the rights, feelings, and welfare of other people. Finally, research in an emerging sub-field labeled “positive criminology” suggests that more positive and restorative approaches—including those that foster social connectedness and support, service to others, spiritual experience, personal integrity, and identity change—may be more effective than the prevailing punitive tactics when working with offenders.
