What Makes a Hero

What Makes a Hero?

Beliefnet readers share the qualities they believe every hero should have.

You don't need a red cape or a secret cave to be a super hero. Instead, you can be a hero just by the selfless, authentic, and moral qualities you project onto others. Heroes pursue justice without discriminating against who they help. As we think of the year that's now ending, it's a time to think of the everyday heroes who've touched our lives in the past 12 months. Here at Beliefnet, we’ve searched for the Most Inspiring Person of the Year.

Meanwhile CNN has combed the world to put together a tribute to the year’s heroes—those ordinary people who have made a more-than-ordinary impact. You can watch "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” this Thanksgiving night, at 9PM ET on CNN.

So we've also asked you, “What makes a true hero?” What follows are some of the best answers you gave. Get started: "A hero is someone who..."