Ethics and Religion Talk
Ethics and Religion Talk: Infant Circumcision: Pro or Con?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-11-2022 under OPINION
The question: Although medical groups tend to be positive or neutral regarding circumcision, there are an increasing number of organizations and voices devoted to anti-circumcision legislation. Does your tradition have a position on a circumcision...
Ethics and Religion Talk: May 'Cremains' be Scattered Widely?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-05-2022 under OPINION
Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “This panelist has a bias for burial of the dead, because that practice is at least as old as Abraham, ‘the father of all them that...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is Twitter Responsible for Speech On Its Platform?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-27-2022 under OPINION
Imam Kip Curnutt, Director of Religious Education and Associate Imam of Masjid At-Tawheed in Grand Rapids, responds: “Free speech is an interesting concept to tackle from a religious perspective. It is historically a rather recent phenomenon...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How Do I Know What My Religion Should Be?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-20-2022 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “Speaking as someone who was raised in one tradition but adopted another later in life, I would encourage anyone on a spiritual search to use an...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Gas for a Steal or Stealing Gas?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-13-2022 under OPINION
Read the original story. Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “The American marketplace operates under the principle of Caveat emptor, ‘Let the buyer beware.’ We all...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is Your Messiah the Same as My Messiah?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-06-2022 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: “The word ‘Messiah’ literally means ‘anointed.’ According to Oxford Languages online, ‘Messiah...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What If There Were No Second Amendment
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-31-2022 under OPINION
[Note: This panelists submitted their responses over a month before the tragic murder of 19 fourth graders and two teachers. The murderer legally bought two AR15-style rifles for his 18th birthday. Perhaps legal gun ownership should begin at age 21...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What Makes Music a Universal Language?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-23-2022 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: “The Protestant Reformer Martin Luther wrote ‘Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined with the gift of...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What is Monotheism?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-16-2022 under OPINION
Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: “Merriam-Webster Online defines monotheism as ‘the doctrine or belief that there is only one God.’ I may get myself in...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Why Can't I Sell Parts of My Body?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-09-2022 under OPINION
Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “You seem to be unaware that laws to the contrary, there is a ghastly trade of harvesting and selling human body parts that flourishes in the...