ethics
Ethics and Religion Talk: Who Needs Doctors When You have God?, part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 10-25-2021 under OPINION
“I read something you talked about use of medicine. To me, God is able to heal without medicines. I live without any medicine and whenever I get sick, I pray to God and He answers my prayers, including a non-curable disease that He healed me...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Cost of Religion
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 10-18-2021 under OPINION
Kathleen asks, “There is clearly a cost of adhering to a religious tradition (in the Jewish tradition, the cost of keeping the dietary laws comes to mind). The question is how much should the economic cost of following one’s religious...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Violence and Religious Proselytization
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 10-11-2021 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: In 2005 I embarked on a lecture (and listening) tour of 4 states of India that have a significant Christian majority. Many of these expressions of...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Does Money Solve Marital Problems?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 10-04-2021 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: I would never counsel that money and grateful participation giving to charity will resolve issues— marital or otherwise. In fact, access to abundant money is...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Self-Awareness
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 09-27-2021 under OPINION
The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds: “This topic is very dear to my heart; but growing in self-awareness is not easy. What is easy is to avoid looking at our blind spots or pretending they’re not...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Why Have I Miscarried?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 09-20-2021 under OPINION
Jeff asks for a reaction to the following story: “A young woman has been living with her boyfriend for at least a year. The relationship is over three years in duration. She conceives. Though they weren't looking to have a child, they knew...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Religion can do Horrible Things
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 09-13-2021 under OPINION
The Rev. Steven W. Manskar, a retired United Methodist pastor, responds: “The Methodist Episcopal Church was established in this country in December 1784. Methodist congregations were in all thirteen colonies. The organizing conference stated...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What is the Role of Clergy?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 09-07-2021 under OPINION
Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “The first duty of a Presbyterian minister is the faithful preaching of God’s Word, and to instruct all church members, young and old,...
Ethics and Religion Talk: According to Your Tradition, What is the Worst Sin?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-30-2021 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: Idolatry, that is, giving allegiance to or worshiping anyone or anything other than God. Hypocrisy is a close second, that is talking the talk without walking...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Cancel Culture
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-23-2021 under OPINION
This Week’s Question: ‘The anger and demands that accompany today's Cancel Culture often leave people feeling like the only way to survive is to go along with everyone else who says that the Emperor's clothes are beautiful and...