PROJECT TIMOTHY

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What is Project Timothy

                                                          What is a Spiritual Rites of Passage Program?

     In ancient civilizations, it was a very important event for a boy to transition into manhood. This event was celebrated with a feast and declaration that the person before you was no longer a boy but he was now a man. It was only after he was pronounced to be a man he was given certain rights and authority within the community.

     At that time, he was considered to be able to live on his own. The rite of passage for manhood, however, was not determined by an age. Instead, it was determined by the male’s ability to have such strength as well as wisdom and understanding in order for him to properly function in the society he lived in. Even though each culture was different in their approach, the transition for the male was equally important.

     The elders felt that in order for a male to be a man he had to understand the following:

1.             1. Have an understanding of the wisdom of the community

                 2. Have an understanding of the history of the community

3.             3. Have an understanding of how to face his fears.

4.             4. Have an understanding of how to survive on his own.

5.             5. Be a protector of both his family and the community.

     Without understanding these vital things, a male was never transitioned into manhood. Those who refused to go through the rite of passage process became an outcast of the village. He was considered a disgrace to his family and no father would knowingly permit his daughter to marry this male, despite his age.

     Our society today holds much different beliefs. In today’s society, for Western Civilizations, a boy is deemed a man once he reaches the age of 18. It does not matter what the male knows or does not know he is still thrown into society for him to operate as a man (no matter how ill-prepared he may be).

     In fact, part of the failure of males today is their inability to properly guard their affairs with discretion and wisdom. A male who cannot take care of himself surely will not be able to care for a wife and family. A male who is not properly prepared to do so is doomed to fail both himself and the society he lives in.

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