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Dear Visionaries:<br><br>
I'm afraid that Phil Nisbet misunderstood the nature of the Virtues
Project, and he has neglected the all important qualifier
"non-sectarian" when it comes to mentioning religion in the
public arena. I was UI Coordinator of Religious Studies for 23
years, and the classes we offered drew on the virtues and insights from
the scripture of all the world religions. We of course we not
allowed to favor one religion over another.<br><br>
If Phil had quoted the complete Q&A on this question, he would have
resolved his own quandry. I would simply add that the virtues that
human being have developed in common are found in religious and
nonreligious writings as well as nonreligious authors.<br><br>
Is The Virtues Project connected with a particular Faith community
or organization?<br><br>
The Virtues Project is not about the practices or beliefs of any one
religion. It is sourced in the teachings about virtues found in the
sacred traditions of all cultures. Its purpose is to support all people,
both those who are religious and those who are not, to awaken the virtues
of their character.<br><br>
Is it a "religious" program?<br><br>
Virtues Project programs and materials are used by many secular
organizations such as schools, health care agencies, and corporations to
help create a positive culture of character. Diverse faith communities
around the world also use the Virtues Project to enhance the cultivation
of virtues and the authenticity of their spiritual practices.<br><br>
The word "spiritual" is used in Virtues Strategies. How are you
defining it?<br><br>
The word "spiritual" is contained in many educational mandates
as a significant dimension of character education. The working definition
of spirituality used in The Virtues Project is:<br>
-Having a sense of meaning and purpose<br>
-Living with integrity, according to a person's highest beliefs and
values<br>
-Mastery of the virtues of our character<br>
-A sense of reverence for life and for all people.<br><br>
From
<a href="http://www.virtuesproject.com/faqs.html" eudora="autourl">www.virtuesproject.com/faqs.html</a>.<br><br>
Yours for a City of Virtues,<br><br>
Nick Gier<br>
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<font size=2>"The god you worship is the god you
deserve."<br>
~~ Joseph Campbell<br><br>
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