Jongeren beginnen later aan seks, maar voelen meer druk dan ooit. Misschien is dat een teken dat we niet te veel, maar te weinig over waarden spreken. De zogenaamd ‘oude’ christelijke visie op seksualiteit blijkt vandaag verrassend bevrijdend.
Now that Dallin H. Oaks is the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the question arises as to which direction the church will take in the coming years. Oaks is known as a thinker who interweaves law, morality, and faith. In his speeches over the past fifteen years, the same five pillars repeatedly emerge: religious freedom, the inspired Constitution, the family, the equality of men and women, and the doctrine of Christ itself. What do these themes say...
Man is the product of evolution, but also of something higher. An investigation into how self-awareness, morality, and the awareness of a Creator together form the unique mystery that makes us human.
Sometimes we forget that there is Someone who loves us unconditionally. In this piece, I share a simple but lasting message: that Jesus loves everyone, even if you don't believe in Him or lose sight of Him for a moment.
Sometimes people distance themselves from the church, not because they have abandoned Christ, but because they have been hurt by people. My apologies to those who feel disappointed, forgotten, or misunderstood. An honest call for reconciliation, humility, and renewed connection with the only perfect source of love: Jesus Christ.
My connection to Israel is deep and undeniable. But what is happening in Gaza today, I cannot remain silent about. Belgium must show courage and take concrete steps to show solidarity with the victims.
'An Inconvenient Faith' explores the challenges of Mormonism, from historical controversies to contemporary social issues. The series emphasizes that faith is imperfect, that it is important to ask your own questions and seek personal revelation. It encourages believers to stay in the church and help improve it, instead of leaving. The documentary shows that dealing with these 'inconveniences' can lead to profound spiritual growth.
President Nelson turns 101 and shares two life lessons learned from a century of experience. Lessons that, surprisingly, apply to everyone.
An unexpected link between the church's temple rituals and Freemasonry. Were the temple ceremonies copied? The answer lies in a surprising, complex history that reveals the ties between the two organizations. How the temple rituals, although partly inspired by known symbols, are a unique, divinely revealed ceremony with its own purpose.
In recent months, it has become almost impossible to have a conversation without artificial intelligence coming up. At work, in the media, in classrooms, even around the kitchen table, people are talking about ChatGPT, Gemini, and all their variants. But what happens when that technology also penetrates our religious practice? What if someone who has to give a speech in church thinks: “Let AI write it for me”? It seems convenient, but there is a deeper question behind it: do we then lose...
An article recently appeared in Humo and De Morgen about our faith community that paints a painfully incomplete and often incorrect picture. My interview was used as a setup for criticism from ex-members, without any opportunity for rebuttal. Because journalism failed here, I feel compelled to provide the necessary context myself.
In this personal reflection, I share how my understanding of revelation grew – from doubt and searching to trust and recognition. What if the answer doesn't always sound loud, but silently emerges from the mist? And what if Heavenly Father sometimes just says: 'You choose'?
Charity is God's pure love, a divine power. It calls for humble service, but also emphasizes the importance of accepting help, even imperfect help. Our imperfections show the true nature of love, and Christ's atonement heals our flawed efforts. The invitation is to both give and receive, which creates a heavenly community.
Ascension Day, an important celebration for Catholics marking Jesus' bodily ascension into heaven and the completion of his earthly mission, also offers valuable insights for Latter-day Saints. We also believe in a literal ascension, which underscores the reality of the resurrection, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and our own hope of returning to God. By reflecting on this event and Catholic devotion, we can deepen our understanding of...
Discover the true power of prayer and how you can use it wisely, especially as a young person. Learn why praying for personal strength, insight, and perseverance is more effective than asking for ready-made solutions. This aligns with God's plan: the earth as a school for independence and growth. Use prayer as a powerful tool for self-improvement and action, and live your life to the fullest, in line with your divine potential.
The question of whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a cult keeps coming back. I commissioned Google Gemini 1.5 Pro Deep Research to conduct an objective, academic analysis. The result confirms a nuanced picture: yes, there are characteristics that overlap with early sectarian movements, but the Church has evolved into a global church that indeed demands high commitment. Read my reflection and the full AI analysis here.
Beyond the commercial aspects lies the deeper meaning of Easter and Holy Week. The focus is on Jesus' suffering and sacrifice (the Atonement) as an act of love that makes forgiveness possible for our human shortcomings. However, the core of Easter is the resurrection: the victory over death that offers fundamental hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life. Everyone, regardless of belief, is invited to reflect on universal themes such as gratitude...
God doesn't look at how often we stumble, but at the honesty of our hearts. Sincerity, the willingness to learn, and the pursuit of good are more important than perfect knowledge or belonging to a specific church. Those who honestly seek will find — now or later — and God's grace is there for everyone who keeps trying.
The church used to resist evolution, but now takes no official stance. Theistic evolution posits that evolution is scientifically proven and part of God's plan. Science answers the 'how' questions, faith the 'why' questions. Both complement each other.
The NoBuy25 hype encourages people to avoid unnecessary purchases for a year, with benefits such as saving money, environmental awareness, and fewer impulse buys. But while this trend is strongly focused on personal gain and self-development, religious fasting has a deeper dimension. In religion, fasting is not only about self-control, but also about community, service, and solidarity.
Reasonably Faithful: believing in a secular world 