ethics
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is the serpent in the Garden of Eden real?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-27-2018 under OPINION
Sometimes the Ethics and Religion Talk panel gets questions from people whose objective is to point out the fallacy of treating the Bible as sacred literature or the ridiculousness of religion in general. Elisa’s question appears to be in that...
Ethics and Religion Talk: When should clergy criticize policies of the government?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-20-2018 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: “My first question of clarification is regarding the nature of the government policy. Is the policy a moral instruction or...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How important is accessibility to a house of worship?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-13-2018 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “There are many houses of worship that have great historical value that would require significant retrofitting. One also has to take into account the...
Ethics and Religion Talk: When should clergy take a stand for or against the policy of family separation?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-06-2018 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “I am always proud to join my fellow clergy when there is an opportunity to speak out if we can come to a consensus on matters of social justice. I am...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How to show respect to elders
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-30-2018 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: “I think valuing their intelligence and advice, seeking their opinion, or asking for their wisdom are...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Returning a stolen mug
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-23-2018 under OPINION
Later, I saw one of our physical therapists using it. I mentioned it to our supervisor, whose response was, “He has money, he’ll just buy a new one.” I suggested to the therapist that she return it, and now she is no longer...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Psychological counseling vs. spiritual counseling
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-16-2018 under OPINION
"What is the difference between spiritual and psychological counseling?” Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: “Spiritual counseling focuses on...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is blood sacrifice necessary for atonement?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-09-2018 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: “Most Unitarian Universalists do not believe in the concept of sin. The Universalist part of our name...
Ethics and Religion Talk - What does "Image of God" Mean? Part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-02-2018 under OPINION
Last week, we saw two Protestant and a Unitarian responses. This week we continue with Orthodox, Catholic, Hindu, and Jewish responses. Father Michael Nasser, who writes from an Eastern Christian perspective and is Pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox...
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...