ethics
Ethics and Religion Talk: Where do Sermons Come From?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 03-27-2023 under OPINION
Rev. Salvatore Sapienza, the Senior Pastor at Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ in Saugatuck/Douglas, responds: I do not plan my sermons weeks in advance. Rather, I begin composing them just a few days prior to Sunday. Every Monday...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What is a Legitimate Religious Practice?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 03-21-2023 under OPINION
Does the idea that human beings are created in the image of God gives us the divine ability to create and destroy the world around us? Science gives us this ability, but might it lead to something equivalent to "witchcraft?" Why are we not...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Should Secular Law be Based on Religious Law?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 03-13-2023 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: First, we need to understand the purpose of civil and criminal law. According to the open library at the University of Minnesota, “...
Ethics and Religion: Is Less Religion Better?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 03-07-2023 under OPINION
According to the Pew Research Center: Depending on whether religious switching (beginning mostly in the late teen years) continues at recent rates, speeds up, or stops entirely, the projections show Christians of all ages shrinking...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is Study of Scripture an Obligation in Your Tradition?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 02-27-2023 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: While studying the scriptures is highly recommended to devotees, it is not required at all. One can be a devoted Hindu in a variety of ways. Many adherents...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is it Good to be the Official Religion of a Country?, part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 02-20-2023 under OPINION
Some panelists can point to countries where their religion is the “official” one. There, the line between Church and State is a bit more blurred than here in the US. I’m curious if each of you enjoys living in a pluralistic nation...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is it Good to be the Official Religion of a Country?, part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 02-13-2023 under OPINION
Some panelists can point to countries where their religion is the “official” one. There, the line between Church and State is a bit more blurred than here in the US. I’m curious if each of you enjoys living in a pluralistic nation...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How Does Your Tradition Use Scripture for Preaching, part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 02-06-2023 under OPINION
Last week’s responses were mainly written by people from traditions in which there is a strict cycle for reading and preaching. This week we hear from panelists who have no scriptural cycle or whose traditions or houses of worship have opted...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How Does Your Tradition Use Scripture for Preaching, part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-30-2023 under OPINION
Rev. Salvatore Sapienza, the Senior Pastor at Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ in Saugatuck/Douglas, responds: Like many Christian churches around the world, our church follows the Revised Common Lectionary, a collection of assigned...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Are Food Choices an Ethical Issue For You?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-23-2023 under OPINION
Whole Foods recently announced that they would no longer sell Maine Lobster. How do you define "ethical eating?" Do you consider sustainability and care for the environment, treatment of animals, treatment of humans in the supply chain...