religion
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: 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...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Do I Tell My Friend That Her Husband is on Tinder?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-02-2022 under OPINION
The Rev. Steven W. Manskar, a retired United Methodist pastor, responds: “I think the person to talk to is your friend’s husband. Do not triangulate your friend. Go directly to the person who is causing harm first.” The Rev....
Ethics and Religion Talk - What If There Were No first Amendment?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 04-19-2022 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: Unitarian Universalists are strong believers in separation of church and state. Therefore, it would be seen...