The Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) is an international political and
social justice
Social justice is justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, Equal opportunity, opportunities, and Social privilege, privileges within a society. In Western Civilization, Western and Culture of Asia, Asian cultures, the concept of social ...
movement based in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., federal district, five ma ...
that seeks to influence
American politics towards more humane,
progressive
Progressive may refer to:
Politics
* Progressivism, a political philosophy in support of social reform
** Progressivism in the United States, the political philosophy in the American context
* Progressive realism, an American foreign policy pa ...
values. The organization also challenges what it perceives as the misuse of religion by political
conservatives
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
and the anti-religious attitudes of many
liberals. In the international sphere, the NSP seeks to foster
inter-religious understanding and work for social justice.
The NSP was founded in 2005 by
Rabbi Michael Lerner, who serves as co-director of the organization with
Cornel West
Cornel Ronald West (born June 2, 1953) is an American philosopher, political activist, social critic, actor, and public intellectual. The grandson of a Baptist minister, West focuses on the role of race, gender, and class in American society ...
and
Sister Joan Chittister. More than 1,200 activists attended each of the group's conferences in
Berkeley,
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
(July 2005) and
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
(May 2006).
As of December 2007, the NSP had chapters in 31 states as well as
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...
,
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
, Canada;
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a me ...
,
Australia; and in
Costa Rica.
Basic tenets
The Network of Spiritual Progressives was founded based on three basic tenets:
* Changing the bottom line in America.
* Challenging the misuse of religion, God and spirit by the
Religious Right.
* Challenging the many anti-religious and anti-spiritual assumptions and behaviors that have increasingly become part of the
liberal culture.
See also
*
Interreligious organisation
*
Engaged Spirituality
References
Further reading
*
Michael Lerner Michael or Mike Lerner may refer to:
* Michael Lerner (actor) (1941–2023), American actor
*Michael Lerner (angler) (1890–1978), American angler and businessman
* Michael Lerner (rabbi) (born 1943), social activist
*Michael Benjamin Lerner (born ...
, ''
The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right'' (New York: HarperCollins, 2006). .
*
Jim Wallis
James E. Wallis Jr. (born June 4, 1948) is an American theologian, writer, teacher and political activist. He is best known as the founder and editor of ''Sojourners'' magazine and as the founder of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian commu ...
, ''
God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It'' (New York: HarperCollins, 2005). .
External links
Network of Spiritual ProgressivesThe Tikkun Community parent organization of the Network of Spiritual Progressives
{{DEFAULTSORT:Network Of Spiritual Progressives
Religion and politics
Progressive organizations in the United States
Spiritual organizations
Organizations established in 2005
Liberalism and religion
2005 establishments in the United States