religion
Ethics and Religion Talk: Whoops! I Gave My Vegan Friend Ham!
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-19-2022 under OPINION
I love off-the-wall questions like this one: Last week, I was hanging in the park smoking cannabis and having a picnic, eating a salad. A friend came by, also smoking, and reached over and started eating my salad. I was surprised and wasn't...
Ethics and Religion Talk - Pregnant and Brain Dead
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-12-2022 under OPINION
In a continuing effort to ensure religious diversity in our column, Ethics and Religion Talk has been looking for new panelists. We welcome a new voice whose responses should begin to appear in the coming weeks, the Reverend Salvatore...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Doctors and Death
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 12-05-2022 under OPINION
Should surgeons, cancer doctors or other high-risk medical specialists be tested and evaluated on how well they deliver bad news? How important is it that they be equipped with the skills to help their patients plan for death? Might it be a better...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is Your Tradition Opposed to Discrimination?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-28-2022 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: Yes. it is a violation. I lean on the Biblical mandate: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” as well as Jesus welcoming example toward the...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Are Ethicists Ethical?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-21-2022 under OPINION
Ethics and Religion Talk is seeking new members of the panel of clergy. We prefer individuals who serve congregations, but will consider those with administrative or academic positions. Applicants should have strong writing skills and be willing to... Ethics and Religion Talk: Responding to Ethical Questions
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-14-2022 under OPINION
Ethics and Religion Talk is seeking new members of the panel of clergy. We prefer individuals who serve congregations, but will consider those with administrative or academic positions. Applicants should have strong writing skills and be willing to...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Being a Respectful Visitor
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 11-07-2022 under OPINION
“I have a curiosity about other religions and have thought about visiting various houses of worship. My concern is that while it may be a sign of respect to participate in whatever rituals and prayers are offered, I don’t want to perform...
Ethics and Religion Talk: The Ethics of Pain Management
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 10-31-2022 under OPINION
Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: “There are no restrictions in the use of pain medications in the Presbyterian Church (USA). In fact, I and most of my clergy colleagues will tell you that God...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Do Your Clergy Study Philosophy?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 10-12-2022 under OPINION
Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “By all means. I would not have been ordained if I was not well schooled in philosophy. But I want to make one thing clear. Often, when westerners use...
Ethics and Religion Talk: Is Belief in an Afterlife Waning?
by (Rabbi David J.B...)
Submitted 10-03-2022 under OPINION
After studying the history of religion in the West I’ve concluded that several hundred years ago people were much more focused on the afterlife. It seems today that there is less concern about that and more emphasis on leading a moral,...