<html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div>Well if it can get folks to accept and respect the beliefs of others, that would be a good thing!</div><div><br></div><div>I don't understand how "believe" is a value. It has to depend on what you believe, right? Everyone has beliefs. Are they all valuable? Maybe the beliefs of others should be respected but is that the same thing as valuing them? What you respect is the person and his or her right to believe what he or she will.<br><br></div><div>I think to most people the words "credo", "faith", and even "believer" have religious connotations. I'm pretty sure that came out in your research, too, Jeff. Or are you of the opinion that what is being claimed is that any old belief is of value?<br><br></div><div><br>On Jan 24, 2011, at 6:40 PM, Jeffh <<a href="mailto:jeffh@moscow.com">jeffh@moscow.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
Don't see much advantage to "wordsmith" the values project definitions,
but in this particular instance, it seems to warrant a comment or two.<br>
<br>
First, the items used to describe the value "belief", e.g. credo, faith
and be a believer are segregated by semi-colons and hence can be
inferred to be mutually exclusive of one another.<br>
<br>
Second, common definitions point to a broad interpretation of credo,
faith and "be a believer".<br>
<br>
<b>Credo</b>: ... while usually associated with a religious creed, it
can be used to describe any formula of belief<br>
<br>
<b>Faith</b>: ... the confident <a title="Belief">belief</a> or <a title="Trust (social sciences)">trust</a> in the <a title="Truth">truth</a>
or trustworthiness of a person, <a title="Concept">concept</a> or
thing.<sup id="cite_ref-dict_0-0" class="reference"><a><span></span></a></sup>
<p>Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain
statement is true,<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a><span>[</span>5<span>]</span></a></sup>
belief in and assent to the truth of what is declared by another, based
on his or her supposed authority and truthfulness.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a><span>[</span>6<span>]</span></a></sup> Informal
usage can be quite broad, and the word is often used as a mere
substitute for <i>trust</i> or <i>belief'. (Wikipedia)<br>
</i></p>
<b>Believer</b>: Again, while often associated with a theological
bent, it's common use, according to <a href="http://Dictionary.com">Dictionary.com</a> is "...
<div class="pbk">
<div class="luna-Ent">
<div class="dndata"><span id="hotword"><span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">have</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">confidence</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span>
<span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">truth,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span>
<span id="hotword" name="hotword">existence,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">reliability</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">something,</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">although</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">without</span>
<span id="hotword" name="hotword">absolute</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">proof</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">that</span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">one</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">is</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">right</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">doing</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">so:</span> </span><span class="ital-inline"><span id="hotword"><span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">Only</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">if</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">one</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">believes</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">something</span>
<span id="hotword" name="hotword">can</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">one</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">act</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; cursor: default;" id="hotword" name="hotword">purposefully."</span> </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br>
To focus on a specific application of the terms belief, credo, faith;
e.g. a theological bent seems to me to take away from the "value" of
the language.<br>
<br>
Furthermore, imposing a religious or theological element to the value
as presented takes away from the whole point of the exercise, that is
to ponder the role that belief can play in one's life and their
interactions with others.<br>
<br>
BUT, it is clear to me that the "Values" project welcomes comments,
criticisms, revisions, etc. Easy to do - just go to the website and
post your suggestions.<br>
<br>
I am persuaded that the notable quotations provided help to clarify the
intent of the Foundation for a Better Life's purpose in including
"believe" as a value. The following is a case in point:<br>
<br>
<blockquote><i>We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of
dream to be
weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as
we keep believing.<br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-size: 12px;">Louisa
May
Alcott Novelist (1832-1888);</span></i><br>
</blockquote>
BUT - the exciting part to me is that folks are reading the values and
thinking about them. I have received numerous comments (mostly
positive) and I am grateful that you find the efforts useful.<br>
<br>
On 1/24/2011 3:59 PM, Joe Campbell wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:7D7DD42D-3D64-412B-9668-9F9B34998B3A@gmail.com" type="cite">
<div>Sorry but folks without faith still have beliefs. This could be
the worst definition yet.<br>
<br>
<br>
</div>
<div><br>
On Jan 23, 2011, at 8:49 PM, Jeffh <<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:jeffh@moscow.com"><a href="mailto:jeffh@moscow.com">jeffh@moscow.com</a></a>> wrote:<br>
<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
<h2 style="padding: 10px; text-align: left; line-height: 120%; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 2.9em;">Believe:</h2>
<h2 style="padding: 10px; text-align: left; line-height: 120%; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 2.9em;">is
to
follow a credo; have a faith; be a believer.</h2>
Visit the TV spot:
<a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/86-Track-Coach"><a href="http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/86-Track-Coach">http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/86-Track-Coach</a></a><br>
<br>
Some notable quotes about the video:<br>
<br>
<div class="comments">
<div class="comment">
<p><em> ago by Stay Positive from Alabama </em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>Who sings this version of "If you believe in me"? Very pretty!<br>
<em>Posted over 2 years ago by Sherry B. from North Carolina </em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>This was the very first video I saw from your organization, and
I've
looked for them on TV ever since. Thank you!<br>
<em>Posted over 2 years ago by Hannah S. from Sierra Madre,
California
USA </em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>What a great idea! I think you can get a free DVD if you click
on
the "for schools" button at the bottom of the page.<br>
<em>Posted almost 3 years ago by Ben M. from Colorado, USA </em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>Is there any way to get a DVD of these clips? We would like to
use
them for a program that we are having for the youth of our church.<br>
<em>Posted about 3 years ago by Rebecca S. from <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:rwcampschmidt@yahoo.com"><a href="mailto:rwcampschmidt@yahoo.com">rwcampschmidt@yahoo.com</a></a>
</em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>I am a foster parent and this tv spot keeps me focused on
helping my
foster child be all he can be.<br>
<em>Posted over 3 years ago by John C. from Knoxville, TN, USA </em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>Thank You for using Kenny Loggins' song "If You Believe". I do
believe!<br>
<br>
<br>
<em>Posted over 3 years ago by Kevin F. from Honolulu, Hawaii USA </em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>Believing in one self is a wonder but having someone believe in
you
is the true gift of LOVE! I believe you are wakening our spirits with
this gentle reminder.<br>
<em>Posted over 3 years ago by Lady Samm from Toronto, Canada </em></p>
</div>
<div class="comment">
<p>As a high school teacher, I am really inspired by this TV spot.
Great job!<br>
<em>Posted almost 4 years ago by Jung-in Kim from Seoul, Korea<br>
</em></p>
<p><em>SOME QUOTES ABOUT "BELIEVE".<br>
</em></p>
</div>
</div>
You were meant to be here. This is your time.<br>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-size: 12px;">Herbert
"Herb"
P. Brooks, Jr. American Ice Hockey Coach (1937-2003);<br>
<br>
</span>Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with
the
handle of anxiety or the handle of faith. <br>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-size: 12px;">Henry
Ward
Beecher Clergyman, Social Reformer (1813-1887);<br>
<br>
</span>We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to
be
weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as
we keep believing.<br>
<br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-size: 12px;">Louisa
May
Alcott Novelist (1832-1888);<br>
</span><br>
<br>
<br>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite">
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</blockquote>
</blockquote>
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