FAQs

What if a religious leader says, "You’ve got the cart before the horse — you can’t have morality without heart change, and you can’t have heart change without our faith”?

We respectfully disagree.

That way of thinking — that morality can only come after a specific religious conversion — is simply not supported by reality. People of all backgrounds, all faiths, and no faith at all demonstrate compassion, honesty, self-control, courage, and kindness every single day. We’ve seen it. We live in a pluralistic society, and virtue isn’t exclusive to one tradition.

Yes, many religions promote virtue — but they don’t own it.

Let’s be honest: teaching children to respect others, to think before acting, to help someone in need — these are not religious doctrines. They are essential human skills. And they’re declining. Our schools are facing moral chaos. Our teachers are exhausted. Our kids are anxious, angry, or disengaged. What’s needed is a return to the common good, not the theological debate.

This project doesn’t replace religion. It doesn’t teach against religion. It simply creates space for every child to grow in character — no matter their family’s faith or lack of it. And if we believe our faith has something powerful to offer, it should flourish in a child’s life regardless. Virtue isn’t the enemy of faith — it’s a bridge.

Frankly, if the best our faith can offer the world is the message “You can’t even start becoming good unless you believe like we do,” then we’ve already lost the next generation. The world is watching how we treat each other — especially those we disagree with. That’s where this project starts: with respect, value, and dignity for every person, because that is what plants the seeds for real change.

What makes you think this will work? Our jails are full, and they’ll always be full. Some kids are just headed there no matter what. We need better ways to separate the “bad apples,” not waste time hoping they’ll change.

We understand the frustration. When you’ve watched kids spiral out of control year after year, when you’ve seen the violence, the trauma, and the endless cycle repeat, it’s easy to lose hope. Some people seem unreachable. But what if we reached them earlier?

Here’s what we know:

• Kids don’t want to fail. Even those acting out are trying—often in twisted ways—to get their needs met.
• People can change. The science of neuroplasticity, the success of trauma-informed care, and countless personal stories show that new pathways can be formed, even in the most hardened lives.
• Virtue isn’t about being “good.” It’s about giving students the language and framework to choose something better when they’re ready. Even just one spark of purpose can reroute a life.

Will this solve every problem? No. But will it prevent some future incarcerations? Will it help some students choose connection over violence? Yes.

We don't measure the value of a life changed by how many lives weren’t. We measure it by the fact that one more human being now has hope—and maybe one less teacher has to break up a fight in a hallway.

This project isn’t about saving everyone. It’s about not giving up on anyone too soon.

? We don’t have time for this—kids need better parenting, not more curriculum.

We hear this—and we don’t disagree. Many teachers are doing far more than just educating. You’re counselors, peacekeepers, mediators, and sometimes lifelines for children in distress. You shouldn't have to take on more.

But here’s the truth: the world is changing faster than we’re adapting. Families are fractured. Community support systems are breaking down. And kids are entering classrooms carrying emotional weights many of us can barely imagine. So what do we do? Give up—or try something?

The Virtue Project is not about shifting blame to teachers. It’s about equipping teachers with simple tools that can fit into the flow of what’s already happening in classrooms. It’s about empowering students to grow in self-awareness, empathy, and resilience—skills that don’t just make them better people, but make classrooms easier to manage, too.

And no, this doesn't replace parenting. It reinforces the messages good parents already want their kids to hear. It meets students where they are, without preaching, and gives them a path forward.

This isn't about teachers doing more. It’s about us doing this together.

Won’t a school-based virtue program fall short without a spiritual foundation?

It’s true that many religious traditions teach strong moral values—and this project honors that. But the Virtue Project isn’t a replacement for religion, nor does it interfere with it. It simply recognizes that core human virtues are not exclusive to any one faith or worldview.

In fact, values like honesty, patience, humility, and compassion are found in every major religion and in countless secular philosophies. These are not religious doctrines—they are shared aspirations for how we treat one another.

Public schools teach a lot of things that students apply in many different contexts. Reading isn’t “owned” by any one group—neither is the ability to resolve conflict, speak kindly, or take responsibility. These skills help kids succeed whether they come from a church, a mosque, a temple, or no religious background at all.

This project doesn’t remove faith from the conversation—it creates space for everyone to bring their values to the table, while giving all children the tools to become thoughtful, kind, and courageous people. That’s something we can all stand behind.

We hear that concern, and we agree—human behavior is complex. Factors like poverty, trauma, systemic inequality, and social change all contribute to the challenges we face. This project doesn't deny that. It simply asks a bold, honest question: What if we’ve overlooked something foundational?

In the last hundred years, we’ve made unimaginable advances in technology, medicine, and communication. But when it comes to human character—compassion, integrity, courage—we're still struggling.

This initiative doesn’t claim to be the whole solution. But it may be a missing piece.
Because character can’t be legislated. Respect can’t be prescribed. Kindness can’t be automated.

They must be taught, lived, practiced, and seen.

Virtue education is not simplistic.
It’s essential.