About Us

Much thought and energy in American culture today is given to the mentality of "us"
v. "them". In the Network of Spiritual Progressives ("NSP"), we are working to
reshape this thinking into a higher consciousness, embracing the whole, or "us".
Recognizing that we are all part of the same whole and working to help those who
are perceived as "them" also greatly benefits us all.

In naming our organization the Network of Spiritual Progressives, we are
underlining a core dimension of human life that is often ignored (either deliberately
or otherwise) in social and political causes: that of the spiritual life of each
member. By embracing this most elemental ethos, our core values of a national
culture of kindness, peace through generosity, joining spiritually-minded people,
gives new meaning to our guiding ideal---a New Bottom Line for America.

Developing a National Culture of Kindness

We desire a culture which makes it safe for us to see every human being as an
embodiment of the sacred. We wish to transcend the manipulative and utilitarian
way of treating others. We pledge to act respectfully and kindly toward those with
whom we disagree, to employ listening and dialogue as a means of resolving
difference. We seek to join with all who desire particupation in a peaceful,
sustainable society. (Click here for to explore this idea further on our national
website: www.spiritualprogressives.org.)

Joining Spiritually-Minded People

We believe that the fundamental goodness of the American people has been
awakened to the need to transform economic and political arrangements that have
allowed selfishness and materialism to shape too many aspects of our lives. We
wish to see our deepest spiritual values implemented in reshaping our culture;
values that are shared by secular as well as religious people, values that were
and are central to the building of America. (Click here for to explore this idea
further on our national website: www.spiritualprogressives.org.)

Fostering Peace through Generosity

We choose to replace the globalization of selfishness with the globalization of
spirit. Rather than export a glorification of the "me first" mentality, we will empbody
a spirit of caring and responsibility not only for America, but for the entire planet.
As a first step, we wish to see the United states join with other advanced
industrial societies in creating a Global Marshall Plan, dedicating 1%-2% of our
Gross Domestic Product each year to eliminating homelessness, hunger, poverty,
inadequate education and inadequate health care at home and abroad. Within 20
years, we hope these acts of generosity will help lift the world's poorest
populations out of poverty. We will implement this plan with respect for the cultural
and religious traditions of the peoples of the world. It is our hope that by
respectfully joining with our brothers and sisters in other nations to lift people out
of poverty, that there will be little or no reason for terrorists to target the United
States. (Click here for to explore this idea further on our national website:
www.spiritualprogressives.org.)

Nurturing the Idea of a New Bottom Line for America

In America today, we tend to judge everything---institutions, legislation, social
practices, corporations and even people by how much money and/or power they
have or can produce. In fact, in recent years, any standard other than this has
been considered unproductive, inefficient and irrational by much of American
society, and certainly by our government. The NSP rejects these practices and
proposes a "new bottom line" that measures the value of institutions, legislation,
social practices and especially people not only to the extent that they generate
money and power, but also to the extent that they increase our capacity for
kindness and generosity, peace and social justice, ethically and ecologically
responsible behavior, love and caring and awe and wonder at the universe. (Click
here for to explore this idea further on our national website:
www.spiritualprogressives.org.)

About the NSP

NSP was founded in 2005 by
Rabbi Michael Lerner, Sister Joan
Chittister, and Cornel West.

Rabbi Lerner is the editor of
Tikkun magazine and author of
The Left Hand of God: Healing
America's Political and Spiritual
Crisis.

A national Network of Spiritual
Progressives Conference was held
in May, 2006, with over 1,000 in
attendance.

Another national conference was
held in Denver, Colorado in
August of 2008.

The Palm Beach County chapter
is one of approximately 80
chapters nationwide.

To learn more about the NSP, go
to:spiritualprogressives.org

About NSPPBC

NSP-PBC began as a result of the
May, 2006, conference of the national
organization in
Washington.

After becoming inspired by the national
group, a small group of interested Palm
Beach County people began
meeting in homes over the
summer of 2006, and the first
public meeting was held in
October of that year.

The chapter meets on the second
Sunday of each month at 3:00
p.m. Check our Events page for
the monthly meeting location

Meetings usually involve
speakers or a DVD presentation,
followed by discussion and
announcements of news and
upcoming events of the national
NSP, the local chapter, and other
area progressive groups.

Regular Meeting of the
NSPPBC:

Second Sunday of Each
Month

3:00 p.m.

Click here to go to the Events
page for more information and
meeting location.