religion
Ethics and Religion Talk: Sabbath Practices
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-15-2019 under OPINION
[Note: I have a lot to say about Sabbath observance, but due to space constraints, will have to wait for another opportunity.] Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “As it stands, there is...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Healing From Religious Trauma, part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-08-2019 under OPINION
This week, we present a second set of responses to a very important question raised by Lorri R.: “How should a person find healing if they were traumatized during early childhood religious experiences either by sexual abuse in the church, by...
Ethics and Religion Talk: May One Allow One's Pacemaker Battery to Die?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 07-01-2019 under OPINION
From Jim V: There is an elderly patient under hospice care with a pacemaker, stable, not in distress or expected to die in the near future, lucid and oriented cognitively, and ambulatory without aid of a walker or wheel chair. His pacemaker’s...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Healing From Religious Trauma, part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-24-2019 under OPINION
Here is one set of responses. I’ll have a second set of responses in a couple of weeks. Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “I would certainly recommend counseling, but I’d...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What Does it Mean to be a Part of a Religious Community?, Part 2
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-17-2019 under OPINION
The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: “I often hear people say ‘I am spiritual but not religious.’ The statement seems to be...
Ethics and Religion Talk: What Does it Mean to be a Part of a Religious Community?, Part 1
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-10-2019 under OPINION
The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds: “Being a part of the Church comes with the realization that something wonderful and beautiful is happening to us. 1 Peter 2:5 tells us that we, ‘like living stones...
Ethics and Religion Talk: How Should We be Inclusive of Persons with Disabilities?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 06-03-2019 under OPINION
Linda B. asks, “How do religious institutions show themselves to be open to folks with disabilities both visible and not visible?” Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds:...
Ethics and Religion Talk: May One Choose Service Providers based on Politics?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-28-2019 under OPINION
Jim V, asks, “If a business owner on moral grounds can refuse to provide a service such as baking a cake for or catering a same-sex wedding, should consumers then have the right to know the moral and political belief of the...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Do I Call Out My Friend's Adultery?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-20-2019 under OPINION
B. asks, “Is it wrong of me to call out a friend who has been cheating on his wife, who is also my dear friend? I am very angry about his behavior, which he does not seem to regret, but others tell me it is none of my business.” The...
Ethics and Religion Talk: When is it OK to Solicit Charity?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 05-13-2019 under OPINION
Ethics and Religion Talk is seeking one or two liberal-leaning Protestant panelists. Interested clergy, please contact me at [email protected]. Barry asks, “My grandmother, my father and two brothers have all experienced dementia...