ethics
Ethics and Religion Talk: How Can a Pastor Have the Time to be a Good Preacher?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-06-2020 under OPINION
Rev. Ray asks, “In my last years as a pastor, I was driven to distraction by all the demands of the job. I felt pushed along from duty to duty, meeting to meeting, visit to visit, etc. I felt my work as a preacher was far below the standard I...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What to Do if There is an Allegation of Abuse in the Congregation?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-02-2020 under OPINION
Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “For Presbyterian and Reformed Christians, the first resource to consult is the written Word of God. There are ‘general rules of...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Preventing Abuse in our Religious Institutions
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-27-2019 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “Many religious institutions have proactively instituted such programs. They include encouraging an atmosphere of transparency, rules regarding one-on...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How Do I Keep Focused?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-16-2019 under OPINION
RL asks the panel to respond to this article - https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190715-how-to-escape-the-hyperactive-hivemind-of-modern-work. An excerpt: “The constant ping of messages that keep us plugged into work chatter might...
Ethics and Religion Talk: When Your Dreams Conflict with your Principles.
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-09-2019 under OPINION
Note: Several responses noted that it might depend on what the dreams and goals are, that it would have been helpful to have an example. Despite the vagueness of the question, I think the responses are excellent.] Fred Stella, the Pracharak (...
Ethics and Religion Talk - Is Sexual Fantasy the same as Adultery?, part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-02-2019 under OPINION
Eric writes, “My wife and I have been married for over 30 years. We have a wonderful relationship. The challenge is that all this time I’ve made it a point to keep physically fit. But my wife really has let herself go. She’s quite...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Does God Listen to Prayer?, part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-25-2019 under OPINION
[Note: The Ethics and Religion Talk panel shares four responses this week in addition to the four responses published two weeks ago.] Father Michael Nasser, who writes from an Eastern Christian perspective and is Pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is Sexual Fantasy the same as Adultery?, part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-18-2019 under OPINION
Eric K. writes, “My wife and I have been married for over 30 years. We have a wonderful relationship. The challenge is that all this time I’ve made it a point to keep physically fit. But my wife really has let herself go. She’s...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Does God Listen to Prayer?, part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-11-2019 under OPINION
Dr Sahibzada, the Director of Islamic Center and Imam of the Mosque of Grand Rapids, responds: “Most fundamental point about faith is, ‘What kind of our belief is about God, His powers and actions.’ My belief in God is that He is...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What if the Worship Leader Dresses Gay?, part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-04-2019 under OPINION
Jose writes, “I’m a passionate student of the word. I’ve recently encountered a young man in church who leads worship. His attire and mannerism disconcert me. Those who do not know this young man personally will label him as gay....