The Seminary Explores

Dr. Tom Deloe, Retired Health Researcher, Department of Health and Human Services talks to Dr. Christianson about Marijuana.  With the number of states approving medical or even recreational use of marijuana increasing, several questions arise. How extensive is the use among teens and what do we know about its effects?  What are the chances that teens or adults will move on to harder drugs? Has legalization reduced the prison population?  Has marijuana helped cure any diseases? If not, what are the positives and negatives of medical use?

Dr. Strobert explores the nature of “friendship” in contemporary society with Pastor Fritz Foltz. Pastor Foltz discussed the changing nature of friendship from the biblical texts to the Church Fathers to the present technology of Facebook. He also shared his introduction to “professional” friendship roles in the professional sports and gambling industries.

Dr. Christianson talks to Stephen Niebler, Executive Director, Adams County Council for Aging about important issues around aging.  How to avoid family conflicts over the right to die as in the cases of Casey Kasem or Terri Schiavo. What to do when you suspect abuse of an older person-- financial, physical, or emotional. The most important local issues that impact on the aging:  transportation, housing, trying to understand complicated forms—in health, banking, Social Security, etc.