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Opinion

 

Ethics and Religion Talk: Forbidden Fruit

Submitted 08-28-2017 under OPINION

The familiar saying, “You are what you eat” proves to be true even in the Garden of Eden. Adam & Eve chose to ignore God’s warning to not eat from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the entire human...

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Reflecting on rocking times: my experience as a GR!GR counselor

Submitted 08-23-2017 under OPINION

As I hang my Polaroid pictures from drum instruction above my desk, find traces of glitter still embedded in my clothes, and count down the days til next year's camp week (it’s 356 in case you were wondering), I wanted to take time to...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Should religious institutions be 'Safe Refuge?'

Submitted 08-21-2017 under OPINION

Fred Wooden, the senior pastor of Fountain Street Church, responds: “The Torah speaks of cities of refuge, for those who are not safe despite the usual safeguards. They served a needed purpose. Modern houses of worship are not legal...

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State Rep. Runestad pushes changes to Child Custody Act which prioritize rights of parents over children

Submitted 08-18-2017 under OPINION

A bill is being proposed for a Michigan house floor vote this fall which would make radical changes to the Michigan Child Custody Act. House Bill 4691, which would rename the legislature to the Michigan Shared Custody Act, would automatically divide...

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The #StandWithCharlottesville march: How did it go?

Submitted 08-15-2017 under OPINION

On Sunday, August 13, 2017 hundreds gathered in Rosa Parks Circle for a solidarity march and peace vigil in support of those fighting the recent white nationalist terrorism in Charlottesville, VA. Wearing black as a symbol of mourning, we took over...

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Ethics and Religion Talk: Is torture in defense of civilians ethical?

Submitted 08-14-2017 under OPINION

This column answers questions of Ethics and Religion by submitting them to a multi-faith panel of spiritual leaders in the Grand Rapids area. We’d love to hear about the ordinary ethical questions that come up on the course of your day as well...

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing camp provides fun, connection for kids

Submitted 08-08-2017 under OPINION

At Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D&HHS) Kids Camp, the kids come here so that they can have fun, experience things they may not otherwise experience, and learn new ways to communicate, much like all the other summer camps that kids from all over...

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Rethinking child support, Part 1: How good parents go to jail

Submitted 08-08-2017 under OPINION

This is the first in a two-part series examining the United States’ Child Support Enforcement system, Michigan Friend of the Court’s role in implementing it, and its impact on local communities - specifically in Kent County, Michigan....

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International exchange program broadens horizons for students, families, communities

Submitted 08-08-2017 under OPINION

In a time when we have the greatest access to information from around the world, we seem to still struggle to understand people from other countries and cultures. Yet, that understanding—and more, an appreciation—is vital to building a...

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Trolling under rainbow bridge

Submitted 07-31-2017 under OPINION

After writing the article Navigating Through Pride and Prejudice about what it’s like to be black and gay during Pride, I needed to regroup. I had this pit in my stomach and started circling the black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue...

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