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Ethics and Religion Talk: How do you Respond to Racism?

Submitted 10-26-2020 under OPINION

The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds: “I am a Hispanic American who pastors a 100% white congregation and I have never experienced racism in my congregation. The love, respect, and care that I...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: When does Journalism become 'Evil Speech?'

Submitted 10-19-2020 under OPINION

In Judaism, lashon hara, gossip (literally, evil speech), is roughly defined as any speech, true or false, which damages somebody’s reputation. In general, such speech is prohibited, unless it serves the larger purpose of protecting or saving...

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Ethics and Religion Talk - Dietary Restrictions

Submitted 10-12-2020 under OPINION

Linda Knieriemen, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Holland, responds: “Wine was a staple beverage in the ancient world. Jesus consumed wine, in fact at the wedding of Cana turned water into wine! If Christians want to live like...

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McKay Tower and The Blue Bridge Are Lighting Up this Week. Why?

Submitted 10-07-2020 under OPINION

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2019, I was naturally distressed. But, that was also met with confidence that I would be treated and cured, much like others in my family, including my sister, my paternal grandmother, and my...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: How Old is the World?

Submitted 10-05-2020 under OPINION

Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: “There is no reason for religion and science to be in opposition. When I lived in Rome, Italy, I would give tours of Saint...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Converting Hate Against LGBTQ into Love

Submitted 09-29-2020 under OPINION

Chris writes: “I speak as a Christian from my own perspective: “I am troubled that in most, even all, Christian denominations there remains a residue of ministers -- men and women who have dedicated themselves to God -- who, in their...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What is the Holy Spirit?

Submitted 09-21-2020 under OPINION

The Rev. Steven Manskar, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, responds: “The Nicene Creed tells us the Holy Spirit is ‘the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Who am I?

Submitted 09-14-2020 under OPINION

Father Kevin Niehoff, O.P., a Dominican priest who serves as Adjutant Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Grand Rapids, responds: “Yes! Because these questions are all variations of the same. In the Catholic tradition, ‘humans are creatures...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Spiritual Practices for a Pandemic

Submitted 09-08-2020 under OPINION

The Reverend Colleen Squires, minister at All Souls Community Church of West Michigan, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, responds: “I have two consistent daily practices that help center me. During my morning cup of coffee, I take...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Does Your Tradition Support the Separation Between Church and State? part 2

Submitted 08-31-2020 under OPINION

This is the second set of responses to a question we began answering last month. Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “Scottish Presbyterianism has long​ promoted the ideal of...

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