The query of aligning religion with political decisions is a recurring theme for non secular voters. For instance, people could search candidates whose platforms mirror their understanding of biblical teachings on points similar to social justice, financial coverage, and environmental stewardship. This includes researching candidates’ positions, public statements, and voting information.
Participating in knowledgeable electoral participation is essential for a functioning democracy. By fastidiously contemplating the alignment of candidates’ platforms with their values, voters contribute to a extra consultant authorities. Traditionally, non secular communities have performed important roles in advocating for social change and coverage reforms primarily based on their moral frameworks. This civic engagement displays the significance of translating private beliefs into actionable political participation.
This exploration delves into the complexities of balancing religion and political decisions. It examines key issues for voters looking for to align their values with their ballots, together with the function of spiritual leaders, the interpretation of spiritual texts, and the varied views inside religion communities. Additional evaluation will handle the challenges and alternatives introduced by the intersection of religion and politics in a pluralistic society.
1. Character
Character performs a pivotal function in evaluating candidates for public workplace. A candidate’s demonstrated integrity, honesty, and ethical compass considerably affect their decision-making processes and management model. Leaders possessing sturdy character traits usually tend to uphold moral requirements, resist corruption, and prioritize the frequent good. Conversely, candidates with questionable character could also be vulnerable to abuse energy, prioritize private achieve over public service, and erode public belief. The Watergate scandal, as an illustration, demonstrates the detrimental penalties of electing leaders missing integrity. The scandal led to a big decline in public belief in authorities establishments and highlighted the significance of character in political management.
Assessing a candidate’s character requires cautious examination of their previous actions, public statements, and relationships. Scrutinizing a candidate’s observe document of retaining guarantees, treating others with respect, and demonstrating humility gives invaluable insights into their character. Analyzing how a candidate responds to adversity, admits errors, and learns from failures additionally reveals their character. Moreover, contemplating the opinions of those that have labored intently with a candidate, similar to colleagues and group members, can present a extra complete understanding of their character.
In the end, evaluating character requires discernment and cautious consideration of a number of elements. Whereas coverage positions are necessary, a candidate’s character finally shapes how they are going to govern and the influence they are going to have on society. Selecting leaders of sturdy character fosters a extra moral and efficient authorities, contributing to a extra simply and equitable society. Neglecting the significance of character in political management dangers undermining democratic values and eroding public belief in authorities establishments.
2. Coverage alignment
Coverage alignment serves as an important consider electoral selections for voters looking for congruence between their values and a candidate’s political platform. This alignment includes inspecting a candidate’s stance on varied points and evaluating these positions with one’s personal deeply held beliefs. For instance, a voter involved about environmental stewardship may look at candidates’ information on conservation efforts, renewable power insurance policies, and laws addressing air pollution. The diploma of alignment between a voter’s priorities and a candidate’s coverage positions typically considerably influences voting decisions. A excessive diploma of alignment can result in sturdy help for a candidate, whereas important discrepancies could end in looking for various candidates and even abstaining from voting on a specific race.
The significance of coverage alignment stems from the direct influence authorities insurance policies have on people and communities. Insurance policies enacted by elected officers affect varied elements of every day life, from healthcare entry and academic alternatives to financial laws and social welfare applications. Take into account the talk surrounding reasonably priced healthcare. A candidate advocating for common healthcare protection could achieve help from voters who prioritize entry to reasonably priced medical companies. Conversely, those that favor market-based healthcare options may help candidates who promote deregulation and competitors amongst healthcare suppliers. This instance illustrates the sensible significance of coverage alignment in shaping voter habits and impacting election outcomes. Historic evaluation reveals quite a few situations the place coverage alignment performed a decisive function in electoral outcomes. The Civil Rights Motion, as an illustration, mobilized voters round candidates supporting racial equality, resulting in important legislative modifications.
In abstract, coverage alignment gives a framework for knowledgeable decision-making throughout elections. By fastidiously evaluating candidates’ positions on pertinent points, voters can contribute to deciding on representatives whose platforms mirror their values and priorities. This course of fosters a extra consultant authorities and facilitates the implementation of insurance policies that handle the wants and issues of the citizens. Nevertheless, challenges stay, similar to navigating advanced coverage debates, discerning correct data from political rhetoric, and balancing competing priorities. Regardless of these challenges, cautious consideration of coverage alignment stays an important side of accountable civic engagement.
3. Biblical Ideas
Biblical ideas provide a framework for moral decision-making, influencing how some Christians method political engagement. Ideas similar to justice, compassion, and stewardship, derived from scriptural texts, can form views on points starting from social welfare applications to environmental insurance policies. As an illustration, the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) could encourage some Christians to help insurance policies that help the susceptible and marginalized. Equally, Genesis 1:28, which emphasizes humanity’s function as stewards of creation, can affect views on environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Nevertheless, the appliance of those ideas to particular political decisions can differ broadly, resulting in various interpretations inside the Christian group. Differing interpretations of biblical texts, together with various prioritization of particular ideas, contribute to a variety of political views amongst these figuring out as Christian.
The affect of biblical ideas on voter decisions manifests in varied methods. Some people could prioritize candidates whose platforms explicitly align with their interpretation of scriptural teachings. Others could concentrate on candidates whose character and demonstrated actions mirror values like integrity and compassion. For instance, through the Civil Rights Motion, many Christian leaders and activists drew upon biblical ideas of equality and justice to advocate for racial desegregation and voting rights. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr. explicitly invoked scriptural themes of their requires social change, demonstrating the sensible utility of biblical ideas within the political sphere. Conversely, differing interpretations of biblical ideas have additionally led to opposing stances on social and political points, highlighting the complexity of making use of religion to political decision-making.
In abstract, biblical ideas provide an ethical compass for a lot of Christians navigating the political panorama. These ideas, derived from scriptural texts and theological interpretations, present a framework for evaluating candidates and coverage proposals. Nevertheless, the varied vary of interpretations and functions of those ideas inside the Christian group underscores the advanced relationship between religion and politics. This complexity requires considerate engagement with scripture, ongoing dialogue inside religion communities, and a recognition of various views when contemplating the intersection of biblical ideas and political decisions.
4. Social Justice
Social justice, typically rooted in ideas of equality, equity, and human dignity, represents a big consideration for some Christians when evaluating political candidates. This angle emphasizes addressing systemic inequalities and advocating for susceptible populations, typically drawing inspiration from biblical teachings on caring for the poor and marginalized. For instance, the idea of “loving thy neighbor” (Matthew 22:39) can encourage help for insurance policies that promote financial equality, healthcare entry, and prison justice reform. The influence of this concentrate on social justice can manifest in voter help for candidates who champion insurance policies aimed toward decreasing poverty, defending minority rights, or advocating for environmental sustainability. Traditionally, Christian leaders and activists have performed important roles in social justice actions, from advocating for abolition to supporting the Civil Rights Motion. These actions reveal the sensible utility of social justice ideas in political motion and advocacy.
The connection between social justice and voter decisions stems from the assumption that authorities insurance policies can both perpetuate or mitigate social inequalities. By supporting candidates who prioritize social justice points, people goal to affect the creation and implementation of insurance policies that handle systemic injustices. As an illustration, a Christian voter involved about financial inequality may help a candidate who advocates for insurance policies like elevating the minimal wage, growing entry to reasonably priced housing, or increasing instructional alternatives. Conversely, candidates who oppose such insurance policies may face opposition from voters who prioritize social justice. This dynamic highlights the potential influence of social justice issues on electoral outcomes and the coverage panorama. The continuing debate surrounding immigration coverage gives a recent instance, with some Christian teams advocating for pathways to citizenship and humane remedy of immigrants primarily based on social justice ideas.
In abstract, social justice represents a posh and infrequently influential issue for some Christian voters. This angle, typically knowledgeable by biblical teachings and moral issues, motivates people to help candidates and insurance policies aimed toward addressing systemic inequalities and selling human flourishing. Nevertheless, differing interpretations of social justice ideas inside the Christian group can result in a various vary of political views. Navigating these complexities requires cautious consideration of assorted viewpoints, ongoing dialogue inside religion communities, and a dedication to looking for simply and equitable options to societal challenges. The continuing discourse surrounding points like local weather change and financial inequality underscores the continued relevance of social justice in shaping political decisions.
5. Spiritual Freedom
Spiritual freedom, encompassing the suitable to follow, profess, and alter one’s non secular beliefs with out coercion, represents a core worth for a lot of Christians and performs a big function of their political issues. Defending this basic proper ensures people can stay out their religion freely in each personal and public spheres. The diploma to which candidates prioritize and defend non secular freedom typically turns into a key consider Christians’ voting selections.
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Safety of Spiritual Practices:
This aspect encompasses safeguarding people’ and establishments’ potential to worship, observe non secular holidays, and have interaction in non secular actions with out authorities interference. Examples embrace defending the suitable of spiritual organizations to function in keeping with their beliefs, even when these beliefs differ from mainstream societal norms. Within the context of voting, Christians involved about this aspect may help candidates who advocate for insurance policies that defend non secular establishments from undue authorities intrusion or laws that would infringe upon non secular practices.
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Freedom of Conscience:
Freedom of conscience refers back to the proper to carry and categorical non secular beliefs with out worry of punishment or discrimination. This contains the suitable to object to taking part in actions that violate one’s non secular convictions. For instance, healthcare professionals may train freedom of conscience by declining to take part in procedures they take into account morally objectionable primarily based on their non secular beliefs. Candidates’ positions on conscience protections typically affect the voting selections of Christians who prioritize this side of spiritual freedom.
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Spiritual Expression in Public Life:
This aspect issues the suitable to precise non secular beliefs in public areas, together with colleges, workplaces, and authorities establishments. Examples embrace displaying non secular symbols, participating in public prayer, and expressing non secular viewpoints on social and political points. The extent to which candidates help or oppose non secular expression in public life can considerably influence Christians’ voting decisions. Debates surrounding non secular shows on authorities property or prayer in public colleges exemplify the political relevance of this aspect.
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Spiritual Freedom for Minorities:
This side emphasizes defending the non secular freedom of all non secular teams, together with minority faiths and people holding unconventional beliefs. Making certain equal remedy and safety beneath the regulation for all non secular communities fosters a pluralistic society the place people can freely train their religion with out worry of discrimination or persecution. Christians involved about this side could prioritize candidates who champion insurance policies selling interfaith dialogue and defending the rights of all non secular teams to follow their religion freely.
These sides of spiritual freedom collectively form how some Christians consider political candidates. Supporting candidates perceived as defenders of spiritual freedom turns into a approach to uphold a basic proper and make sure the potential to stay out one’s religion freely inside society. The continuing debates surrounding non secular freedom in varied contexts, similar to healthcare, schooling, and public life, underscore the continued relevance of this challenge in shaping political decisions.
6. Neighborhood well-being
Neighborhood well-being, encompassing elements like financial stability, public security, and entry to important companies, represents a big consideration for some Christians when making voting selections. This focus stems from the assumption that thriving communities contribute to human flourishing and mirror biblical ideas of loving one’s neighbor and selling the frequent good. Candidates’ positions on points impacting group well-being, similar to financial improvement initiatives, schooling insurance policies, and prison justice reform, can closely affect voter decisions. For instance, a candidate advocating for insurance policies that create jobs, enhance colleges, and cut back crime charges may resonate with voters prioritizing group well-being. Conversely, candidates perceived as neglecting group wants may face opposition from these looking for to enhance their native areas.
The connection between group well-being and voting decisions lies within the understanding that political selections have tangible penalties for native communities. Insurance policies enacted by elected officers immediately influence elements similar to employment charges, entry to healthcare, and the standard of public schooling. Supporting candidates who prioritize group well-being gives a pathway to affect the allocation of assets and implementation of applications that strengthen native areas. Traditionally, Christian communities have performed lively roles in addressing group wants, establishing colleges, hospitals, and charitable organizations. This historic context underscores the enduring significance of group well-being inside the Christian custom. Sensible examples, similar to community-led initiatives to deal with homelessness or meals insecurity, reveal the tangible influence of prioritizing group well-being.
In abstract, group well-being serves as a key issue influencing voting selections for some Christians. This emphasis on thriving communities displays core values of compassion, service, and selling the frequent good. By supporting candidates whose platforms handle group wants, people search to enhance native areas and create environments the place people and households can flourish. The continuing challenges dealing with many communities, similar to financial disparities and entry to high quality schooling, underscore the continued relevance of group well-being in political decision-making.
7. Management Qualities
Management qualities play an important function in figuring out the effectiveness and influence of elected officers. For some Christians, assessing these qualities in political candidates is important for choosing leaders who can govern justly and properly. Robust management includes a mix of character, competence, and imaginative and prescient, enabling leaders to navigate advanced challenges, make sound selections, and encourage optimistic change. Analyzing these qualities gives invaluable insights right into a candidate’s potential to serve successfully and promote the frequent good.
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Integrity
Integrity, demonstrated by honesty, moral conduct, and consistency in phrases and actions, represents a cornerstone of efficient management. Leaders possessing integrity encourage belief, promote accountability, and foster a tradition of moral decision-making inside authorities. Conversely, leaders missing integrity can erode public belief, create a local weather of corruption, and undermine the effectiveness of presidency establishments. The Watergate scandal, as an illustration, illustrates the detrimental penalties of management missing integrity, highlighting the significance of this high quality in public workplace.
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Competence
Competence encompasses the information, abilities, and expertise obligatory to manipulate successfully. Leaders possessing competence reveal the power to know advanced points, develop sound insurance policies, and handle authorities assets effectively. Examples of competence in management embrace successfully managing a authorities company, crafting laws that addresses societal challenges, or navigating advanced worldwide negotiations. An absence of competence can result in poor coverage selections, inefficient use of assets, and a failure to deal with essential points dealing with the nation.
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Imaginative and prescient
Imaginative and prescient refers to a frontrunner’s potential to articulate a transparent and compelling path for the long run, inspiring others to work in the direction of a standard purpose. Leaders with imaginative and prescient can mobilize public help for necessary initiatives, promote unity, and information the nation by occasions of change. Examples of visionary management embrace articulating a nationwide technique to deal with local weather change, selling a imaginative and prescient of common healthcare entry, or main efforts to advance social justice. An absence of imaginative and prescient may end up in a way of aimlessness, stagnation, and a failure to capitalize on alternatives for progress.
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Service Orientation
Service orientation displays a frontrunner’s dedication to serving the general public good and prioritizing the wants of the group over private achieve. Leaders with a powerful service orientation reveal empathy, responsiveness to constituent issues, and a willingness to work collaboratively with others to deal with societal challenges. Examples embrace actively participating with group members, responding to constituent issues, and prioritizing insurance policies that profit the broader inhabitants. Conversely, leaders centered on self-interest can erode public belief and undermine the effectiveness of presidency.
These management qualities, whereas not exhaustive, present a framework for evaluating the potential effectiveness of political candidates. For some Christians, deciding on leaders who embody these qualities turns into essential for selling good governance, advancing the frequent good, and upholding moral ideas within the political sphere. The absence of those qualities can result in ineffective governance, erosion of public belief, and a failure to deal with essential challenges dealing with society. Subsequently, cautious consideration of management qualities stays important for knowledgeable civic engagement and accountable voting selections.
8. Ethical Integrity
Ethical integrity, encompassing honesty, moral conduct, and consistency in values, serves as a cornerstone for a lot of Christians when evaluating political candidates. This emphasis stems from the assumption that leaders possessing sturdy ethical integrity usually tend to govern justly, uphold moral ideas, and promote the frequent good. A candidate’s demonstrated dedication to ethical integrity influences voter perceptions of trustworthiness, accountability, and health for public workplace. This connection between ethical integrity and voter decisions displays the significance positioned on character and moral management inside the Christian religion. For instance, a candidate identified for constant honesty and moral decision-making, even in difficult circumstances, may garner help from voters who prioritize ethical integrity. Conversely, candidates with a historical past of dishonesty or moral lapses may face skepticism and opposition from such voters.
The sensible significance of ethical integrity in political management turns into evident when contemplating the potential penalties of electing leaders missing this important high quality. Leaders missing ethical integrity could also be vulnerable to corruption, abuse of energy, and disrespect for moral ideas. Such habits can erode public belief, undermine the rule of regulation, and injury the integrity of presidency establishments. The Watergate scandal, involving President Nixon’s cover-up of unlawful actions, exemplifies the detrimental penalties of ethical failings in management. The scandal led to a big decline in public belief in authorities and highlighted the essential function of ethical integrity in political workplace. Newer examples of politicians dealing with accusations of monetary impropriety or moral breaches additional underscore the continued relevance of this challenge.
In abstract, ethical integrity represents a big issue for some Christians when contemplating “who ought to Christians vote for.” This concentrate on character and moral conduct stems from the assumption that leaders possessing ethical integrity are higher geared up to manipulate justly and serve the frequent good. Conversely, an absence of ethical integrity can result in corruption, abuse of energy, and erosion of public belief. Subsequently, evaluating a candidate’s demonstrated dedication to ethical integrity turns into an important step in making knowledgeable and accountable voting selections. The continuing discourse surrounding moral management in politics highlights the enduring relevance of this challenge in shaping voter decisions.
9. Lengthy-Time period Influence
Lengthy-term influence, encompassing the lasting penalties of coverage selections on future generations, represents an important consideration for some Christians when evaluating political candidates. This angle emphasizes the stewardship of assets, each pure and societal, and the accountability to create a greater future for subsequent generations. Choices made at present relating to points like local weather change, financial coverage, and schooling can have profound and lasting results on the lives of future generations. Candidates’ positions on these points, and their demonstrated dedication to contemplating long-term penalties, can considerably affect voter decisions. As an illustration, a candidate advocating for sustainable environmental practices and investments in renewable power may resonate with voters involved concerning the long-term well being of the planet. Conversely, candidates perceived as prioritizing short-term features over long-term sustainability may face opposition from voters who emphasize intergenerational accountability.
The connection between long-term influence and voter decisions stems from the understanding that political selections have far-reaching penalties that reach past rapid issues. Insurance policies enacted at present can form the financial, social, and environmental panorama for many years to come back. Supporting candidates who prioritize long-term sustainability and the well-being of future generations gives a approach to affect the trajectory of society and depart a optimistic legacy. The idea of stewardship, derived from biblical teachings about caring for God’s creation, underscores the significance of contemplating the long-term influence of choices. The historic penalties of choices just like the growth of fossil gasoline dependence or the buildup of nationwide debt illustrate the sensible significance of contemplating long-term impacts in policymaking. These examples reveal how previous decisions can create long-lasting challenges for future generations, highlighting the necessity for accountable and forward-thinking management.
In abstract, long-term influence represents a big issue influencing the political calculus for some Christian voters. This emphasis on intergenerational accountability displays a dedication to stewardship and a priority for the well-being of future generations. By supporting candidates who prioritize sustainable practices, long-term investments, and insurance policies that handle future challenges, voters search to form a greater future for many who will inherit the results of at present’s selections. The continuing debates surrounding local weather change, financial inequality, and useful resource depletion underscore the enduring relevance of long-term influence in political decision-making. Navigating these advanced points requires contemplating the potential long-term penalties of coverage decisions and deciding on leaders who reveal a dedication to constructing a sustainable and flourishing future.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent questions relating to the intersection of religion and politics, providing insights for considerate consideration.
Query 1: Does the Bible endorse particular political events or candidates?
Scriptural texts don’t explicitly endorse any specific political get together or candidate. Moderately, they provide guiding ideas, similar to justice, compassion, and integrity, that may inform political decision-making.
Query 2: How can people discern which candidate finest aligns with their values?
Cautious examination of candidates’ public statements, coverage positions, and voting information gives invaluable insights. Participating in respectful dialogue with others holding various views may also broaden understanding.
Query 3: Ought to non secular leaders endorse political candidates?
Differing views exist relating to the function of spiritual leaders in political endorsements. Some argue that endorsements can provide invaluable steerage, whereas others emphasize the significance of sustaining impartiality inside non secular establishments. No matter endorsements, people retain the accountability for making knowledgeable selections primarily based on their very own values and discernment.
Query 4: Can one stay trustworthy whereas supporting a candidate with whom one disagrees on sure points?
Navigating the complexities of political decisions typically includes balancing competing priorities. It’s attainable to help a candidate regardless of disagreements on particular points, significantly when contemplating broader values and long-term implications.
Query 5: How can people handle political disagreements with fellow believers respectfully?
Respectful dialogue, lively listening, and a willingness to know differing views are essential. Specializing in shared values and customary floor can facilitate constructive conversations even amidst disagreements. Recognizing that people could interpret religion ideas in a different way is important for sustaining unity inside religion communities.
Query 6: How can people interact within the political course of past voting?
Civic engagement extends past voting to embody varied types of participation, similar to contacting elected officers, advocating for coverage modifications, and taking part in group organizations. These actions contribute to a extra strong and consultant democracy.
These questions and responses provide a place to begin for considerate reflection on the advanced interaction between religion and politics. Continued engagement with these questions will additional contribute to knowledgeable decision-making.
Additional exploration will handle sensible methods for aligning values with political decisions and fascinating constructively within the political course of.
Suggestions for Aligning Values with Political Selections
The following tips provide steerage for navigating the complexities of integrating religion and political engagement.
Tip 1: Analysis Candidate Platforms Totally
Thorough analysis into candidates’ publicly acknowledged positions, voting information, and coverage proposals gives essential data for knowledgeable decision-making. Accessing non-partisan assets, analyzing candidates’ official web sites, and reviewing respected information sources provide invaluable insights.
Tip 2: Have interaction in Respectful Dialogue inside Religion Communities
Respectful dialogue inside religion communities fosters deeper understanding of various views on the intersection of religion and politics. Sharing private reflections, listening actively to others’ viewpoints, and fascinating in constructive conversations can enrich views and promote unity.
Tip 3: Prioritize Character and Integrity
Character and integrity considerably affect a candidate’s decision-making and management model. Evaluating a candidate’s previous actions, public statements, and demonstrated moral conduct gives invaluable insights into their health for public workplace.
Tip 4: Take into account Lengthy-Time period Implications of Coverage Selections
Coverage selections have lasting penalties affecting future generations. Evaluating candidates’ positions on points like environmental sustainability, financial coverage, and schooling requires contemplating the potential long-term impacts on society.
Tip 5: Search Steerage from Trusted Sources
Consulting trusted sources, similar to revered non secular leaders, students, or group mentors, can provide invaluable steerage and insights for navigating the complexities of religion and politics. Nevertheless, particular person discernment and important pondering stay important for making knowledgeable selections.
Tip 6: Pray for Discernment and Knowledge
Prayer gives solace, steerage, and readability when navigating advanced selections. Searching for knowledge and discernment by prayer can present energy and path through the decision-making course of.
Tip 7: Have interaction in Civic Participation Past Voting
Civic participation encompasses varied types of engagement past voting, similar to contacting elected officers, advocating for coverage modifications, and taking part in group organizations. These actions contribute to a extra strong and consultant political course of.
By implementing the following tips, people can navigate the complexities of aligning their values with political decisions extra successfully. This considerate engagement fosters a extra knowledgeable and accountable method to civic participation.
The next conclusion synthesizes the important thing themes explored all through this dialogue, providing remaining reflections on the intersection of religion and politics.
Conclusion
Aligning religion with political decisions presents advanced issues for Christian voters. Navigating this intersection requires cautious examination of candidates’ character, coverage platforms, and demonstrated dedication to ideas similar to justice, compassion, and stewardship. Balancing private beliefs with societal wants necessitates considerate engagement with scriptural teachings, ongoing dialogue inside religion communities, and a willingness to think about various views. The exploration of biblical ideas, social justice, non secular freedom, group well-being, management qualities, ethical integrity, and long-term influence gives a framework for knowledgeable decision-making.
Accountable civic engagement requires ongoing reflection, essential evaluation, and a dedication to looking for the frequent good. The intersection of religion and politics stays a dynamic and evolving panorama, demanding steady discernment and a dedication to constructing a extra simply and equitable society. By way of knowledgeable participation and considerate deliberation, people can contribute to shaping a future reflective of their deeply held values.
