Rights of Passage

Principle 3

Spiritual Grounding

The Spiritual Grounding principle explores the importance of having a personal relationship with God. Youth are challenged to contemplate the meanings of faith, grace, and questions such as, “Is God real?”, “Why pray?", “Is there life after death?”. Participants also discuss concepts of major world religions, such as Islam, Judaism’ Yoruba and Christianity. During this principle, the importance of the Church, as it relates to African-Americans in this country, is studied using the Abyssinian Baptist Church as a shining example.

Key concepts explored:

• Spiritual transformation
• Religious tolerance and understanding
• Tools for the spiritual journey, “Faith, Prayer and Grace”
• Importance of the Black Church
• World religions-tenets/beliefs/prophets

Seven Principles of Living

1. Personal Growth & Development
2. Health & Wellness
3. Spiritual Grounding
4. Community Consciousness
5. Historical Black Experience
6. Economic Awareness
7. Politics