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Opinion

 

How the life changing benefit of doula care made all the difference

Submitted 06-20-2019 under OPINION

When I was pregnant, and before I gave birth for the first time in December, I was afraid. In fact, I was terrified. I had dark thoughts. I allowed my mind to go to some scary places and more than once feared the worst could happen to me or my...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What Does it Mean to be a Part of a Religious Community?, Part 2

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...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What Does it Mean to be a Part of a Religious Community?, Part 1

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...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: How Should We be Inclusive of Persons with Disabilities?

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:...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: May One Choose Service Providers based on Politics?

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...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Do I Call Out My Friend's Adultery?

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...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: When is it OK to Solicit Charity?

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...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Can Human Beings Be Predestined to Hell?

Submitted 05-06-2019 under OPINION

Rev. Ray Lanning, a retired minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, responds: “Presbyterians confess that ‘God from all eternity, did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Why is Scripture so Old?

Submitted 04-29-2019 under OPINION

Fred Stella, the Pracharak (Outreach Minister) for the West Michigan Hindu Temple, responds: “Hinduism has no such concept of a ‘closed canon’ as is the case with many religions. While we do have a collection of foundational...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What is the Grace of God?

Submitted 04-22-2019 under OPINION

Ty Silzer, a former pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, responds: “Is His grace extended? Absolutely. He extends it to me when I fail to do works of righteousness. But that’s speaking in very small and daily terms. ‘He...

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