ethics
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...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Are Technological Innovations Forbidden Until Religiously Approved?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-05-2023 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: Within Hindu circles there are very robust conversations about the technological innovations that abound. If you are not aware, Indian-Americans (who are...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Should Judges be Involved in Local or National Politics?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-30-2023 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: We are experiencing a significant moment in our history now. Before now, many of the electorate seemed to be quite uninterested in who warmed the many...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Should the Audubon Society Change its Name?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-22-2023 under OPINION
“Audubon” is a household name associated with protecting birds. The moniker is synonymous with the avian conservation movement, and yet some local chapters had urged for a name change, saying the association with Audubon...
Ethics and Religion Talk
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-15-2023 under OPINION
Many companies wish to go in the direction of ESG (Environment Social Governance). This movement encourages businesses to take more things into consideration that the bottom line of profit. Many politicians are attempting to punish those...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Does Theology Need Philosophy and Psychology?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-08-2023 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: I can’t imagine how it can. I don’t even know how theology can exist without acknowledgement that psychology and philosophy are inherent in it....
Ethics and Religion Talk: The Difference Between Welcoming and Inclusive
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-01-2023 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: I completely agree, unless each person is given full access to all rites of passages or membership then it...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Beware of Entering Debates on Religion!
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 04-24-2023 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: Discussing religious difference brings out the worst in humans unless there are ground rules— implied or concrete. Just today I was in a situation where I had...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is the Death Penalty Ethical?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 04-17-2023 under OPINION
Rev. Salvatore Sapienza, the Senior Pastor at Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ in Saugatuck/Douglas, responds: More than 30 years ago, the World Council of Churches declared their overwhelming opposition to the death penalty. In no...