Homosexuality and Leviticus

Dr Laura Schlessinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that (Leviticus 18:22) clearly states it to be an abomination.

End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in (Exodus 21:7). In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.15:19-24). The problem is, how do tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. (Lev. 25:44) states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians.Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. (Exodus 35:2) clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. (Lev. 21:20) states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by (Lev.19:27). How should they die?

9. I know from (Lev.11:6-8) that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates (Lev. 19:19) by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

[robinseggs]

I believe God Himself is chuckling at this one!!

[DesignerGal]

AL: This is great. I chuckled uncontrollably at this one. I will haver to post it somewhere in my office buidling so all of the homphobes I work with might read it!

[TenneseeGirl]

that is the best thing that i have heard in a long time!!!! i love it

[Clint]

You can poke fun at the beliefs of one group…even post an out of context spoof on his beliefs on the internet and in an office building and that’s okay. If someone from that group opposes the idea that teaching children it is okay for one man to perform oral sex on another whose penis has recently been in fecal material he can be called a homophobe and a hate monger who is in violation of the new State religion of diversity, and that’s okay... even State supported. Where is the equity?

Try doing a spoof like that on the Koran and see what it gets you.

You have the right to think the letter to Dr. Laura is funny and post it here or wherever you like. I also have the right to comment on it and say I’m not laughing.

[greydeadhead]

Clint, it is your right to not find it amusing.. I do.. it demonstrates the the selective use of certain passages of the bible (or koran) by ultra conservatives to suit their needs. It smacks of hypocrasy to select a passage that demeans a segment of society, yet ignore other passages that are just as discrimatory or inflammatory.

You dissapoint me Clint. An acceptance or not of homosexuality is one thing and is certainly open to discussion in whatever form necessary, as is some peoples willingness to hypocritically use elements of the bible to bolster their prejudices. In the hope that , if God says so then that must be so . The article, albeit humorous, highlights the shortcomings in quoting the bible for pushing home points. It is full of the sort of medieval practices that dont relate to todays life ( ie slavery ) Why are these ignored today.

Your remarks about the homosexual acts, presuppose that they dont exist in heterosexual sex and conveniently omit that people of the same sex have deep meaningful and loving relationships

The post was not to make fun of people of a Christian faith. Again it seems we cannot argue differing views without someone taking it, not for the first time, personally. It is not personel, it is not anti Christian, it is not anti American . It is called airing your point of view in which ever way can get the message across, in this particular way, a spoof way.

[DesignerGal]

Originally Posted by Clint

one man to perform oral sex on another whose penis has recently been in fecal material

Do you know where your hands have been? Do you wash them everytime you eat, smoke (if you do), wash your car, use a public facility? Does your wife/girlfriend always wipe correctly after using the bathroom? Because 3 out 4 women at somepoint in there life will wipe incorrectly and bacteria from fecal matter will enter the vagina and grow there. If your wife has this "virus", arent you essentially putting your penis in fecal matter when you have sex with her? Arent you sticking your tongue in fecal matter if you prefer to have oral sex with her?

And not all homosexual men have anal sex.

[Clint]

You missed my point.

The letter demonstrates the writer’s lack of understanding when it comes to the Bible. I’m not going to get into an argument about how it is being misunderstood because I’ve done that before. It ends up being an argument between people who read the Bible for the purpose of discrediting it and people who have studied it to understand it. There will never be understanding reached between the two groups.

You disappoint me as well, in that you apparently don’t respect my love of the Bible. I don’t expect you to understand why or how it is that I came to the point I can say I love it. I only ask that you respect the fact that I, and many others, do.

My point is that you can openly laugh at what I believe but if what you believe regarding homosexuality, for instance, is challenged, the challenger is fair game for all kinds of name calling and disrespect. In the present day it isn’t okay to speak out against homosexuality but it is okay to speak out against people of faith. I’m not arguing the Bible and I’m not arguing against homosexuality even though it's obvious that I don't support its prcatice. I’m arguing the double standard.

I still dare you to do the same kind of a letter using the book of another faith and post it here.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by DesignerGal

Do you know where your hands have been? Do you wash them everytime you eat, smoke (if you do), wash your car, use a public facility? Does your wife/girlfriend always wipe correctly after using the bathroom? Because 3 out 4 women at somepoint in there life will wipe incorrectly and bacteria from fecal matter will enter the vagina and grow there. If your wife has this "virus", arent you essentially putting your penis in fecal matter when you have sex with her? Arent you sticking your tongue in fecal matter if you prefer to have oral sex with her?

And not all homosexual men have anal sex.

You sure make a lot of gross assumptions. If you will read my post I said the practice shouldn't be taught to our children as some public schools have.