Ethics and Religion Talk
Ethics and Religion Talk: Do You Need a Degree to Be Clergy?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-23-2024 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., is a Dominican priest and serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids. In the Roman Catholic Church, there are seminaries. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published a document called Program of...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How have your religious beliefs changed over time?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-16-2024 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen is a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). As the years have passed I have become less rigid in my beliefs, I now accept more mystery, and am more of a ready to say, “I don’t know” when it comes to...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What Should Religious Practice Look Like at Home?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-08-2024 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: The question presumes the practice of faith in the family. The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the first to teach their children...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Foster Parents and Religious Beliefs
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-02-2024 under OPINION
Should potential foster parents be turned away because of their religious beliefs? For example, if they believe that a LGBTQ+ orientation violates their religious beliefs, should they be disqualified from fostering a child? Or should a Jewish couple...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Do You Need a Personal Relationship with God?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-28-2023 under OPINION
The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds: It's the most important thing there is! The God who made the Heavens, the Earth, the moon, the sun and the stars, the God who made our souls and formed us, longs to have a...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Christmas and non-Christians
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-18-2023 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: No! I am more bothered by the reduction of Christmas to a secular holiday with no spiritual meaning. For Roman Catholics, Christmas does...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Interfaith Marriage
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-11-2023 under OPINION
Perhaps I shouldn't assume, but I am guessing that since all contributors are clergy members, they've officiated interfaith weddings on occasion. I'd like to know their thoughts on this subject. Have they followed the lives of any of the...
Ethics and Religion Talk: To Whom Does the Social Safety Net Belong - State or Religion?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-04-2023 under OPINION
There is a philosophy on one side of the political spectrum that encourages the dismantling of government programs to aid those suffering with poverty, addiction, etc. They feel that this should be the responsibility of the faith community. Do you...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Navigating New Realities of Marriage and Family
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-27-2023 under OPINION
The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds: I believe that the only way we will withstand the ever-changing views on marriage and family that we are navigating at this time, is to stand firm on our Biblical convictions...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What is Your Daily Practice of Thanksgiving?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-20-2023 under OPINION
Rev. Salvatore Sapienza, the Senior Pastor at Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ in Saugatuck/Douglas, responds: "I truly believe that practicing an “attitude of gratitude” is one of the keys to the spiritual life. The...