CIVIC VIRTUE By Ian Champ Angie Gordon Michelle Indiano

What is Civic Virtue? Civic virtue is morality or a standard of righteous behavior in relationship to a citizen's involvement in society. The Greek word for virtue is arete, which means excellence

Examples of Civic Virtue Integrity Honesty Fairness Voting Acceptance Open-mindedness Selflessness Empathy Courage

Who Exhibited Civic Virtue? Aristotle Virtue is both “civil and moral.” Civic virtue must be within someone’s values along with a societal demand in order to work Civic virtue would keep people happy because they would be satisfying their societal and moral needs.

How is Aristotle related to the U.S.? Thomas Jefferson, a creator of our nation, studied Aristotle. Used many of Aristotle’s concepts about laws and society and integrated these into the U.S. government and the American way of life

A Modern Example of Civic Virtue Mother Teresa –Catholic Sister –Established missionaries of Charity all over the world –Helped the poor, the abused, and AIDS victims

Dear Ian, Angie, and Michelle, Firstly, bless all of you, for your interest in me and my endeavors show you have an interest in Christ’s mission. I was pleased by the intuitive, thoughtful questions you asked in your letter to me, and I will try to impart on you all I know, but remember that some of it is still a mystery to me, the answer known only by God. I knew I wanted to be a sister since I was twelve years old, because I felt God was calling me to devote my life to him through good works. I became a nun and taught at a high school in Calcutta, India. While I loved my teaching job, I felt that God was calling me to do more. A couple of years later, I was granted permission to open an order to care for those who needed to be cared for but had no one. When I minister to these people I feel the presence of God and Jesus, because even though each person the mission takes in is dirty, homeless, undernourished and upset, I literally see Jesus’ face in each one of them. Then they are no longer the poor forlorn people of the streets of Calcutta, but they are the Lord come to me in His time of need, and helping them, is helping Him.

I never expected the missions to grow as large or as quickly as they did. After receiving some gracious rewards, much attention and aid was brought to my missions, and all greatly benefited. We now have over one million volunteers around the world helping in the Aids Houses, the homes for the abused and poor. As Jesus says, “The least among you are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” And I try to live by that from day to day. I hope people, especially the young people of the future like you, learn compassion. I have spent a lot of time on this earth, and I now understand that is what life is all about. Show compassion to those less fortunate than you, for in the depths of compassion is the beginnings of love. And in learning to love others, you will learn what love is, and you will discover God. God Bless, dear children, and remember, you are the future. Love, Mother Teresa

Summary of the Letter Explained how Mother Teresa sees the face of Jesus in others Urged Compassion Urged assisting the poor Encouraged mission work in the United States

How Does Civic Virtue Function in a Democratic Society? In a democratic society, we are able to support the less fortunate with welfare programs and private charities People also receive tax deductions for donations to charities Helps citizens of a society understand their role in the whole picture of their society

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