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Archive: March 1, 2009 - March 7, 2009
Obama's Stem Cell Temptations
In marginalizing religiously informed critiques of public policy, including stem cell research, Obama is unintentionally spinning a kind of religious narrative of his own that has equally sectarian implications.
By Mathew N. Schmalz | March 7, 2009; 1:12 PM ET | Comments (14)
The Moral Imperative to Relieve Suffering: Embryonic Stem Cell Research
There is a clear moral imperative, shared across many religions, to relieve suffering and promote healing. This is a strong ground on which to base religious arguments for embryonic stem cell research.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | March 6, 2009; 5:33 PM ET | Comments (71)
Mumbai Revival
Why did Mumbaikers overwhelmingly view the 2008 terrorist attacks as a case of pluralism vs extremism rather than Hindu vs. Muslim?
By Eboo Patel | March 6, 2009; 10:17 AM ET | Comments (65)
India, the Aspiring Pluralistic Democracy
The world's oldest democracy and its largest democracy should lead the world in interfaith cooperation.
By Eboo Patel | March 5, 2009; 10:19 AM ET | Comments (18)
Our Brothers' Keepers, Not Their Guarantors
We are responsible for each other. But the fact that we are obligated to bail each other out, for both moral and economic reasons, does not mean that we must restore all those who have lost out to their former glory and meet their every expectation.
By Brad Hirschfield | March 5, 2009; 8:01 AM ET | Comments (8)
If You Escaped the Meltdown, What Should You Do?
If you have escaped a collective economic disaster, it's your obligation to help the less fortunate. This is simple morality, and most people abide by it. The heroes of every calamity are those who expand beyond fear.
By Deepak Chopra | March 5, 2009; 7:20 AM ET | Comments (6)
Define "Responsible"
The core teaching of Goddess traditions is simply this: we are all interconnected and interdependent. If we recognize that truth, if we acknowledge that we must all pull together, we can steer through even the heaviest rapids. But if we start pushing people off the raft and fighting over the oars, we will all go under, responsible and irresponsible alike.
By Starhawk | March 5, 2009; 6:46 AM ET | Comments (54)
Erring on the Side of Compassion
I don't want my compassion for someone to be dictated by their IQ or whether they made dumb decisions. Any of us can find ourselves without a job and facing unexpected hardships. But I don't want to subsidize habitual irresponsibility, either.
By Michael Otterson | March 5, 2009; 5:30 AM ET | Comments (12)
Brothers' and Sisters' Keepers?
Being generous through governmental social policy -- ouch! even when we weren't asked -- can leave the nation better off.
By Martin Marty | March 5, 2009; 5:27 AM ET | Comments (0)
A Religious Obligation To Help All Those Suffering -- Not Just The Poor
Judaism is a system of obligations and responsibilities, not rights.
By David Saperstein | March 5, 2009; 2:20 AM ET | Comments (1)
A Tale of Two Brothers, and a Sister
Economic crisis is about all of us. We are all connected.
By Mathew N. Schmalz | March 5, 2009; 12:52 AM ET | Comments (7)
It's Not Only Moral To Help Your Neighbor, It's Smart
I believe that extending a helping hand -- yes, via higher taxes -- to my neighbor is not only morally required but makes good sense from a self-interested standpoint. All of us who congratulate ourselves on having "played by the rules" ought to take a hard look at the fact that the rules aren't the same for everyone in this country
By Susan Jacoby | March 3, 2009; 4:41 PM ET | Comments (263)
Charity is a Just and Ethical Obligation
Giving charity is not a special act of the good heart, but an obligation like any other legal obligation. It is not just that one is benevolent out of the goodness of his heart; rather, he is obligated to do so.
By Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz | March 3, 2009; 2:52 PM ET | Comments (17)
Cain and Abel's Mortgage Company
Cain is the poster-child for the banks and mortgage companies, the investment brokers and the whole sorry chain of folks who are now trying to duck their responsibility for the incredible disaster they have helped create. This includes financial reporters who mostly cheered on the whole sorry system of greed for the sake of greed.
By Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite | March 3, 2009; 12:43 PM ET | Comments (3)
Charity and Responsibility Begin at Home
We have been living way over our heads, believing not only that we are entitled to do so, but that we are entitled to other people's money if we fail to live up to our own expectations.
By Cal Thomas | March 3, 2009; 11:57 AM ET | Comments (37)
Taking God Public
Where does God belong and who gets to decide? That sums up the debate underlying two new rulings by the United States Supreme Court and it seems to be a split decision.
By Brad Hirschfield | March 3, 2009; 11:31 AM ET | Comments (8)
Domestic Violence More About Culture Than Religion
Domestic violence has little to do with religions and far more to do with culture and the degree to which violence is acceptable either in the home or in wider society.
By Julia Neuberger | March 3, 2009; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (1)
Even When Our Brother is a Loser
However much we may resent helping those who have been careless and who possibly absolutely delighting in risk taking, we have a duty to help for the sake of society.
By Julia Neuberger | March 3, 2009; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (0)
"Forgive Us Our Debts..."
The financial crisis reminds us that the point of forgiveness is, yes, that you may have got it wrong but it's time for a clean start.
By Nicholas T. Wright | March 3, 2009; 5:53 AM ET | Comments (6)
My Brother's Keeper? What About Us?
There is a crisis in this land, and it's not all about Wall Street. Main Street is on life support.
By Susan K. Smith | March 3, 2009; 12:00 AM ET | Comments (8)
Holding Our Brothers, Fathers, Sons Accountable
From the most conservative traditionalists to Muslim pro-feminists, all along the spectrum there is a growing men's acknowledgment of the corrosive effects of this violence on our communities.
By Eboo Patel | March 2, 2009; 1:33 PM ET | Comments (25)
