religion
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is God Really in Control?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-14-2023 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: The Roman Catholic Church teaches, “the overwhelming misery which oppressed humans and their inclination toward evil and death...Ethics and Religion Talk: Do Evil Souls Suffer Eternally or Do They Simply Cease to Exist?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 08-07-2023 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: I know of no theology that indicates a soul ceases to exist when death occurs other than the teachings of atheism. The Roman Catholic...Ethics and Religion Talk: Are There Unforgivable Sins?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-31-2023 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, a retired pastor of the Presbyterian Church (USA), responds: A definition of the “sin against the Holy Spirit” has been a debate among Biblical scholars and theologians from Origen to Augustine to Calvin and beyond!...Ethics and Religion Talk: Is It OK to Borrow Another Tradition's Spiritual Practices?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-24-2023 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, a retired pastor of the Presbyterian Church (USA), responds: Syncretism, that is the borrowing of one religions tenets or practices into the life of another, can be beneficial. It certainly is how religions have developed over the...Ethics and Religion Talk: Does Your Religious Community Feel Under Attack?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-18-2023 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: Sadly, random, and targeted violent acts have become commonplace in our society. I am concerned for the...Ethics and Religion Talk: Must a Congregation Always Be United in Agreement with its Leader?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-10-2023 under OPINION
Imam Kip Curnutt, Director of Religious Education and Associate Imam of Masjid At-Tawheed in Grand Rapids, responds: Unfortunately this is an all too common occurrence in many religious communities. In the history of Islam we see that it was this...Ethics and Religion Talk: Am I Obligated to Forgive Someone Who Hurt Me?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-03-2023 under OPINION
The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds: Forgiveness is also about letting go and not seeking revenge. But, forgiveness doesn’t mean you’re obligated to reconcile and let the person back into your life,...Ethics and Religion Talk: Why is it Wrong to Trust in Oneself?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-26-2023 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: Oxford Languages Online defines “proverb” as “a short pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of...Ethics and Religion Talk: When May I Stray from My Tradition's Moral Code?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-19-2023 under OPINION
I occasionally come across stories of saints, prophets, and other religious figures of note who seem to break from the moral codes we are taught to obey. Some say that they are allowed to do such for a higher purpose. I’m wondering if the...Ethics and Religion Talk: Is it Fair to Give Religious People Days Off When Non-Religious Will Have to Work?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-12-2023 under OPINION
Is it fair to give religious people days off when non religious will have to work? Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: Giving religious people days off is fair only if a policy of religious days off is...