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Abstract

This paper summarizes a three-stage study of spiritual influences that play a formative role in male gender identities. During the first stage participants volunteered that spiritual beliefs played an important role in their male development. The second stage asked 100 men to define their particular spiritual beliefs. An item analysis of the responses came up with the ten tenets or beliefs: finding inner wisdom, searching for truth, speaking from the heart, confronting the dark side, loving, working for a better world, passing a test, belonging to something great, following scripture, and believing in destiny. These spiritual beliefs form a continuum extending from isolated spiritual practice to communion with others, sharing beliefs, and traditions. During the final stage 163 men rank ordered these ten tenets according to which ones most influenced their lives.

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The Ten Tenets of Male Spirituality

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