VCU Network of Spiritual Progressives
While the Network of Spiritual Progressives is based in Berkeley, California and has many chapters nationwide. The VCU Network of Spiritual Progressives, founded in January of 2007, is the first campus-affiliated chapter. This organization is not connected to any specific faith, but instead encourages diversity of backgrounds within its membership. At VCU, people of Quaker, Unitarian Universalist, and Muslim faiths have participated in this group. At the same time, the VCU Network of Spiritual Progressives is open to both those with and without religious faith. Personal spirituality within this organization ranges from acceptance of specific religious doctrines to humanistic approaches to spirituality.
Two of the basic ideas held by the Network of Spiritual Progressives locally and nationally are the creation of a new “bottom line of love and generosity” socially and politically and the promotion of a “global consciousness.” One example of their beliefs applied is the celebration of the “tax-free” day, taking pride in the taxes paid in the present as well as what the country has as a result of past tax-payers.
Meetings may begin with a prayer, but they might also be opened with poetry or other forms of art. The Network of Spiritual Progressives is a political organization as well as a spiritual organization. One goal of the group is to encourage members and non-members to incorporate peace and compassion in local, national and international conflict. This chapter is aligned with the campus anti-war organization, the Peace Education Center, and the Muslim Student Union.
The VCU Network of Spiritual Progressives meets in the VCU Commons one night during the week.
Sources:
www.spiritualprogressives.org
Network of Spiritual Progressives
2342 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 1200
Berkeley , CA 94704
Profile prepared by Alexis Liverman
August, 2007
