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Does the Grand Rapids Police Officers Association contract promote police officer misconduct?

Submitted 12-18-2018 under OPINION

A citizen-based analysis of the current state of police-community relations in the City of Grand Rapids has revealed a consistent narrative: there is a clear resistance from the GRPD to accept accountability.   The pattern in practice of GRPD...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Does clergy child abuse cover-up affect clergy moral authority? Part 2

Submitted 12-17-2018 under OPINION

Continued from last week: In recent months we have seen reports from Philadelphia of wide spread clergy sexual abuse of children followed by wide spread cover-up also committed by clergy. As a member of the clergy what do you think of your...

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Should teenagers be able to vote?

Submitted 12-12-2018 under OPINION

Teens across the nation are exploring political activism and wondering how to impact politics in their own way. This begs the question, should the voting age be shifted to 16, allowing younger opinions into the realm of politics? Mass shootings,...

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Happy Cat Cafe encourages visitors to socialize with cats up for adoption

Submitted 12-11-2018 under OPINION

If you’re a cat person, then you may just want to consider paying a visit to Kati Palmurkar’s Happy Cat Cafe in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Being the first official cat cafe in Michigan, the Happy Cat Cafe is a popular feline-themed hangout...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Does the clergy child abuse cover-up affect clergy moral authority?

Submitted 12-10-2018 under OPINION

James writes, “In recent months we have seen reports from Philadelphia of widespread clergy sexual abuse of children followed by widespread cover-up also committed by clergy. As a member of the clergy what do you think of your profession...

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Ethics and Religion Talk - Forgiving oneself

Submitted 12-03-2018 under OPINION

The Rev. Sandra Nikkel, head pastor of Conklin Reformed Church, responds: It takes courage to admit to wrongdoing but it takes more courage to forgive oneself. We need the courage to accept God's forgiveness and believe that he will not hold...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Is renting space to Unitarians a defamation of God's name?

Submitted 11-26-2018 under OPINION

Sometimes people send me sensitive questions for the column anonymously. Like the high school teacher who wanted to know what the panel thought about the ethics of going to a nude beach. But if you want to criticize me, please sign your name. I...

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Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World at Meijer Gardens ignites holiday spirit

Submitted 11-21-2018 under OPINION

Tuesday morning, I felt like a kid at Christmas. When we decided we were going to visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to see the “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World exhibition” that night, I began...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: What are you grateful for? Part 2

Submitted 11-19-2018 under OPINION

Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s remember what has enriched our lives during this past year. This week, the Ethics and Religion Talk panel continue to answer the question, ‘What is the one thing in your life, in your community, in the world...

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Finding heavenly sips of chai in Grand Rapids

Submitted 11-13-2018 under OPINION

It’s official – the seasons have changed. We are well into fall. In fact, we’ve had a taste of winter these past few days. For me, the ultimate comfort and way to warm up is a hot cup of chai. Inhaling the sweet aroma while...

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