Saving One Another: Moral Formation in Community

Abstract

The article illustrates how community relationships can influence an individual’s behavior. Humans develop their moral selves within the framework of communities and relationships, and so it is not right to reduce moral formation to a solitary intellectual act or a process disconnected from community involvement. Belonging to diverse communities, including family, religious congregations, educational institutions, and even virtual communities, and affiliation with them can transcend physical proximity. The liturgical acts within religious communities contribute to moral formation by reminding individuals of their Christian identity and moral responsibilities. The article emphasizes the multifaceted ways in which communities impact the moral development of individuals, from the transmission of values and narratives to the influence of moral role models and accountability mechanisms.