Ethics and Religion Talk
Ethics and Religion Talk: Should I tattoo a do not resuscitate order on my body?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-26-2018 under OPINION
The 70-year-old man was taken earlier this year to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where doctors made their startling discovery: a chest tattoo that seemed to convey the patient's end-of-life wishes. The word ‘Not’ was underlined, and the...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is sex in virtual reality cheating? Part 3
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-22-2018 under OPINION
James F. wrote to Ethics and Religion Talk: “I read with interest your recent column regarding whether Virtual Reality pornography is ‘cheating.’ I assumed the respondents were talking about someone in a committed relationship,...
Ethics and Religion Talk: The case for "NO TALKING" at movies!
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-16-2018 under OPINION
Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “Welcome to the age of the smart phone! We are being schooled in ‘the social media imperative.’ What we think, feel, eat, wear, or...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is it ethical to 'spend down' to qualify for Medicaid?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-08-2018 under OPINION
Should a religious tradition be able to address any and all questions of modern life? Several times in the past months, I have sent out questions to the panel and received responses suggesting that such a question not well-suited for a column on...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is the issue of purity important to your faith?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 01-02-2018 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: “Purity is not a concept found in Unitarian Universalism therefore it holds little to no importance....
Ethics and Religion Talk: Should a child have three parents?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-27-2017 under OPINION
It raises a number of ethical questions, including whether the government should sanction the creation of genetically-modified humans. Several prominent critics who oppose any human testing of the approach, arguing that it could be a slippery slope...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is sex in virtual reality cheating? Part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-18-2017 under OPINION
Ty Silzer, a former pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, responds: “For me, this is pretty simple ‘no,’ but let me share a few stories, and circle back to God and scripture. “I was watching a show sometime in the...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is sex in virtual reality cheating? Part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-11-2017 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: “Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith. At our core, as a faith community is our promise to journey...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What do religions think of each other? Part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-04-2017 under OPINION
Over the years I've heard some Muslims refer to Christians as polytheists. Then we have Christians, who to the best of my knowledge, consider Hindus as polytheists. I would love for you all to shed light on this for me. My response: Judaism, as...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What do religions think of each other? Part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-27-2017 under OPINION
"Over the years I've heard some Muslims refer to Christians as polytheists. Then we have Christians, who to the best of my knowledge, consider Hindus as polytheists. I would love for you all to shed light on this for me.” The Reverend...