Journal #11- Virtues

A virtue is a system of moral ideas or righteousness that a person lives by and demonstrates in their life.  A system of virtue that is many people follow is based in religion.  A person may believe in the values of their religion and try to live by them.  Their basis for decision making and thinking comes from their base values as a person.  A Christian may demonstrate compassion on someone who is less fortunate than themselves because one of their core beliefs is putting others before yourself.  This goes for all ways of life, not just Christianity.  What you believe in determines your view on life and the virtues that you choose to live by.

 You do not have to be religious to demonstrate a system of virtues though.  Benjamin Franklin never doubted the existence of a deity, but he was not fully devoted to the Puritan church either.  He shared many virtues that are similar to the ones held by religious groups.  This included the immortality of the human soul, the punishment for committing crimes, and that virtue is rewarded.  He also had some unique differences from the virtues of the Presbyterians of his time.  He believed that reasoning and logic could answer any question in life, and that church should not be about making people Christian.  Rather it should be about trying to make people morally stronger and better citizens. 

My system of virtues is based in my faith as a Christian, and my goal to be the best version of myself that I can be.  My set of virtues includes the attempt to live honestly, boldly, and faithfully in all that I do.  This means that I try to do my best in school, even when it seems pointless, and do my best in sports.  When I have a bad day, I cannot let that stop me.  Your personal system of virtues is what defines you as an individual and sets the standards for your life.