Ethics and Religion Talk

Ethics and Religion Talk: What does "Image of God" mean? Part 1

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 06-25-2018 under OPINION

We begin this week with two Protestant responses and a Unitarian for variety. We’ll continue this question next week with Orthodox, Catholic, Hindu, and Jewish responses. Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Should religious leaders provide therapy?

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 06-18-2018 under OPINION

Notice -- Ethics and Religion Talk needs your questions. Please send questions about ethical issues you have encountered in the course of your day, or Biblical or theological questions that a panel of religious experts can answer from a multi-faith...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Should genetic testing be mandatory before conceiving children?

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 06-11-2018 under OPINION

Doug Van Doren, the pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ, responds: “I think this is strictly a matter of choice by the couple. Here, the important ethic for me is one of choice on the part of the couple. They, and the child, are the...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Why is God gendered?

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 06-04-2018 under OPINION

Father Michael Nasser, who writes from an Eastern Christian perspective and is Pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Church, responds: “While many religions assign gender to transcendent divinity, Christianity is unique in that we refer to...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Is it selfish to enjoy our own resources when others are in need?

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 05-29-2018 under OPINION

Doug Van Doren, the pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ, responds: “Care for the marginalized was clearly Jesus’ example and is absolutely central to the Gospel. Thus it must be the orientation of a follower. Here are but a few...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What are your requirements for ordination?

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 05-21-2018 under OPINION

Doug Van Doren, the pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ, responds: “In the United Church of Christ, the minimum educational requirement for ordination are a four year undergraduate degree, followed by a three year Master’s of...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: How do we fairly allocate our charitable giving between local needs and others?

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 05-14-2018 under OPINION

Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “In my experience Christians do have a blind spot in this area. Many ‘middle class’ Christians don’t seem to realize that...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Guns, violence and pacifism, Part 2

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 05-07-2018 under OPINION

Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: “Pacifism ‘is opposition to war or violence by means of settling disputes; specifically, refusal to bear arms on...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Guns, violence and pacifism, Part 1

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 04-30-2018 under OPINION

The format for our column this week is a bit different. This week, we invite R. Scot Miller, an ordained minister of outreach and education at Common Spirit Church of the Brethren in Grand Rapids, to share a long-form essay on the topic of guns,...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Holding leaders accountable without judgement

by (Rabbi David J.B...)

Submitted 04-23-2018 under OPINION

I asked the panel to consider Karla’s question against the backdrop of the verse from Christian scriptures, Matthew 7:1, "Judge not that you not be judged.” Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of...

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