Guide

The Guide to Exploring Spirituality and Civic Life is based on findings from the Institute’s “What Does Spirituality Mean to Us? A Study of Spirituality in the United States,” released in fall 2020. It includes key findings, related activities, questions, actions, and other resources to help you explore your own spirituality and how it relates to your civic life.

A fundamental value of American democracy is the common good: that which is beneficial for all members of the community. Upholding it entails placing the good of the country and its collective citizenry above our individual interests, a goal of advocacy and outreach work. Here are 13 practices that encourage democratic virtues like fairness, social conscience, service, and civic engagement. They can help us walk our talk in support of the common good.

Developed with Spirituality & Practice as part of the Practicing Democracy Project.

As communication becomes increasingly global, interactions with people who have different beliefs, customs, and worldviews from our own become more common. We need to learn about those who are different from us and, at a minimum, to learn how to coexist with them. Building multifaith relationships bolsters the stability of our communities and country, and it also sustains one of America’s most cherished values--freedom of religion. Here are ten ways to engage with people of multiple traditions.

Note: Please adapt to social distancing best practices as necessary.

Explore the themes of discrimination, love, and experience in this guide to Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God.

“The human heart is the first home of democracy,” observes American author Terry Tempest Williams. “It is where we embrace our questions. Can we be equitable? Can we be generous? Can we listen with our whole beings, not just our minds, and offer our attention rather than our opinions?” In our actual homes, these questions can serve as guidelines for our relationships with our family and housemates. Here are 14 suggestions for household activities that promote democratic values.

Explore the themes of patriotism, truth and history, and the American character in this guide to Sarah Vowell's The Partly Cloudy Patriot.

What factors determine how you earn, spend, invest, and give away your money? The answer reflects your cultural background, your values, your ideals, and even your perspective on democracy. Bringing thoughtful awareness to your relationship with money can lead to a fulfilling life and deepened civic commitment. Here are nine ways you can approach your finances in ways that promote democratic values like equality, freedom, and justice, as well as democratic virtues like fairness, integrity, and consideration of others.

Explore the themes of identity, representation, and power in this guide to Viet Thanh Nguyen's The Sympathizer.

Democracy begins locally—not only within the city or county government nearest you but even closer, within your neighborhood. Philosopher and activist Grace Lee Boggs observed: “We can begin by doing small things at the local level … That is how change takes place in living systems, not from above but from within, from many local actions occurring simultaneously.” That process is how we can strengthen our democracy. Here are 12 starting points.

Explore the themes of destruction, healing, and connection in this guide to Leslie Marmon Silko's Ceremony.