Opinion
Column
Why did God forsake Jesus on the cross?
By Therese DesCamp April 2009
Observations
Thanks to the Emerging Spirit campaign, Canadians have come to expect the unexpected from the United Church
By David Wilson April 2009
Everyday Ethics
A close friend tells you about the new man in her life. You’re a receptionist in a law office where he is a client. From office gossip you’ve heard the man has a past history of domestic violence. You know the rules about lawyer-client confidentiality, but your conscience says you should warn your friend. Do you?
By Ken Gallinger and Ruth McQuirter Scott April 2009
Observations
In a survey-weary world, it's still important to contribute to the ongoing conversation about your church’s future
By David Wilson March 2009
Column
Turning middle-age is a chance to look inside oneself
By Karen Stiller March 2009
Column
Truth is what moves us from a platitude to the profound
By Keith Howard March 2009
Everyday Ethics
You are an independent taxi driver. One morning, you back out of the driveway into the side of an illegally parked FedEx van. No one sees it happen. Your car is okay but the van is clearly damaged. You now risk losing your cab due to skyrocketing insurance rates. Do you report the mishap?
By Lee Simpson and Kevin Little March 2009
Column
We live in one world, and we must show solidarity with the oppressed
By Brian Platt February 2009
Column
A surprising number of new Canadians are open to a community of faith, and many are looking for ways to connect beyond their ethnic enclave
By Connie denBok February 2009
Observations
To the most strident of atheists, religion is not simply a different way of seeing things; it is the enemy
By David Wilson February 2009
Everyday Ethics
A colleague has gone on short-term disability following the flare-up of an old back injury. You are both in the running for the same promotion, one that you feel you deserve and one that you need so you can make ends meet. One day you spot your colleague zipping down the ski hill. What do you do?
By Connie denBok and Bob Giuliano February 2009
Column
Restless no more, a veteran columnist bids readers farewell and prepares to head in a new direction
By Sara Jewell January 2009
Column
The true test for President Obama will be bringing about a new world of peace and prosperity without disturbing the current standards of living
By Keith Howard January 2009
Observations
As The Observer begins its 180th anniversary, we look back at the narratives that tell us who we are and where we come from
By David Wilson January 2009
Everyday Ethics
Your church gym helps keep local youngsters healthy and off the streets. It badly needs refurbishing, and your church has no money. A sporting goods merchant offers $10,000 but wants a small sign advertising his store displayed somewhere in the gym. Do you accept?
By Ken Gallinger and Ruth McQuirter Scott January 2009
Everyday Ethics
You have recently remarried. Although you have custody of your children, they remain very close to their father. Christmas is looming, and you know he is alone. The kids desperately want him to be part of your celebrations. Your new partner is decidedly less enthusiastic. What do you do?
By Lee Simpson and Kevin Little December 2008
Observations
Former Observer editor was a story in and of himself — a densely packed narrative with many twists and turns
By David Wilson December 2008
Column
The United Church's Emerging Spirit Campaign begs some hard questions about money and faith
By Connie denBok December 2008
Column
Work is a blessing, it’s what keeps you alive. So why should I retire?
By Larry Krotz December 2008
Column
Living risk-free begins as a means to preserve life but ends up confining it
By Keith Howard November 2008
Column
We're at a crossroads regarding the way we celebrate Christmas
By Sara Jewell November 2008
Everyday Ethics
An employee in your small business is a capable worker but an increasingly toxic person. Terminating him promises to be a major headache. Then, a local charity calls saying he has applied for a staff position. They want a reference. What do you tell them?
By Bob Giuliano and Connie denBok November 2008
Observations
Vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin may well represent the fullest flowering of the Christian right yet
By David Wilson November 2008
Everyday Ethics
You are new to a job you badly wanted and are still on probation. Your boss has been helpful and encouraging, but you’ve noticed he has a bad habit of cracking casually racist jokes. You find them offensive but your co-workers seem to put up with them. Do you confront him or keep quiet like the rest?
By Ken Gallinger and Ruth McQuirter Scott October 2008
Observations
Keeping climate change on the radar may demand newer theologies
By David Wilson October 2008
Column
Old man from Guatemala shows kernels of honesty, fields of truth
By Drew Halfnight September 2008
Observations
We know our world is changing and most of us still carry on as usual. But we're not sure what usual is anymore.
By David Wilson September 2008
Column
The terrible things people do begs the question: Are all humans “essentially good?”
By Sandra Beardsall September 2008
Column
Awareness of awe provides the soil in which spirituality takes root
By Keith Howard September 2008
Everyday Ethics
You’ve been volunteering in a poor country. On departure day, a villager with whom you have worked gives you a piece of her jewelry as a gesture of enduring friendship. It’s important to her that you accept the gift, but you think it could be worth a lot of money. Should you accept it?
By Lee Simpson and Kevin Little September 2008
