As we endlessly debate the transgender bathroom issue, here's another look at Leviticus...
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, 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 east coast resident. It's funny, AND informative:
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 odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour 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 I 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 neighbouring 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 neighbour 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.
Your devoted fan, Jim.
Thanks for coming by!
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This sort of puts Leviticus in perspective for me...
Not bad.
This has been around a long long time though and most people have probably seen it before.
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There aren't enough people here to support 200 comment long discussions. They get very repetitive and unreadable if you are not in the middle of it.
I'm truly tired of this discussion... We have REAL problems to be working on, not this stuff...
Note: I'm not looking for an article that supports 200+ comments. Too much to keep up with!
Hopefully, we'll have a few comments and people won't be at each other's throats... That would be nice!
I'm sure mocking people's religion will work wonders.
How does this mock anyone? Remember, I, too, am a Christian.
It does mock people, but it's right on because it mocks those who deserved to be mocked. Those are the particular people who cherry pick at the canonical texts for reasons to point their finger and cry "Abomination!".
It's dishonest to judge people without judging yourself. If you're going to select a verse from Leviticus to hate a strata of the population, at least observe the book yourself. The dietary laws are in Leviticus. I don't see them pushing the bacon away. Tell me that there was absolution for pig? Fine. There was also absolution for homosexuality.
I get it. I salute you. It's a tired, foolish argument and there is too much attention given to this topic.
I've seen your post for a number of years, but the world won't let it get old.
Cheers.
((((((((((((((((Jonathan)))))))))))))))))))
Truly it's not my intent to upset anyone! But we all have to look at what we believe in, and question our own belief system. To me, the "Do unto others" clause trumps all.
I follow your comments, too-- and feel that we're on the same page for a lot of things... YAY!
Thanks!
If you want to improve the world, take a look in the mirror and start there. Too much finger pointing, criticism, blaming and just general hating. People aren't FOR anything anymore, just against. And if someone gets upset at something you post, that's on them.
Thank you for your kind words. I am trying to be more introspective in my posts. It's not always easy, though.
I can only say that me, too! It's hard to maintain an even keel when there are those that only see things as my way, or the highway... At least for me!
I'm trying to be a better person, each and every day. It's not easy. I do so many things well, that I wish I didn't do-- such as snarkiness, naivety, etc. I'm not trying to be a pain, either, but that's another thing I'm good at...
Perfect, Dowser.
Thanks. It all makes sense to pick and choose, doesn't it?
It has always amazed me that just about the only law in Leviticus right-wing Christians are interested in making others obey is 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Everything else is sort of like a cafeteria. Just pick and choose. Do you want the lime jello...or the cherry?
I'm tired of being spouted at. I'm sure you are, too... If you're going to spout bible verses, then, spout a more balanced viewpoint!
Of course it is... That's why we forget the "do unto others" and other choice tidbits that matter.... /s
I can only agree! That being said, I do feel that these endless articles deserve some sort of an answer. It's none of my business where people go to the bathroom. I frankly, don't care. Just do it in a stall-- behind a door. That's what doors are for!
Perfect!!!
Hey, here's an idea … let's pretend that the Old and New Testaments, etc., aren't actually to be taken literally because, you know, they're more like literature than … uhmmmmm …
Gospel.
Then there's that 14th Amendment/Equal Protection silliness …
Why is it that the Religious Right tends to attack liberals for not loving the Constitution but conveniently uses religious dogma to TRUMP it?
Let there be TG lavatories with a one-seat accommodation and a door that locks … no one need publicly drop undies to gain entry … honor system.
......no one need publicly drop undies to gain entry … honor system.
Hasn't that always the way it's been? I mean they did use the available facilities before this ever became an issue now didn't they?
Political chutzpah, that is all this is.
Tempest in a teapot. The only real question is why during an election year, when they are already having issues with government political over reach.
Give them even more ammo, that's a novel political strategy.
Political scare tactics... We have so many other issues to discuss-- Important Ones. Why are we, here on NT stuck on this one?
Let's address some of the other issues facing us-- economic disparity, deportations, etc. Can't we open our eyes to the truth of what matters and what really doesn't?
What does Leviticus have to do with the debate on bathrooms?
I've not seen a single person cite it as a reason to keep men from being allowed to used girls bathrooms at schools by simply claiming they "feel" like a woman that day. Homosexuality has as much to do with this debate as usury.
What does Leviticus have to do with the debate on bathrooms?
When one cites the Bible as a "justification" for superseding the Law, that's when the one who does so brings it into the debate, Sean.
I've not seen a single person cite it as a reason to keep men from being allowed to used girls bathrooms at schools by simply claiming they "feel" like a woman that day. Homosexuality has as much to do with this debate as usury.
Should I infer from your statement that you somehow don't realize that some individuals might ogle, improperly touch or rape someone of the same gender?
Does a transgender person necessarily have a sexual affinity towards individuals of his/her birth gender, transgender-gender, only other transgender individuals or all of the above.
The political-religious intentional scare campaign in this is to imply or outright declare that all gay, lesbian and transgender individuals are sexual predators!
THAT'S WHY WE NEVER GET TO THE ACTUAL ISSUE!
When one cites the Bible as a "justification" for superseding the Law,
Who is citing the bible, particularly Leviticus?
hould I infer from your statement that you somehow don't realize that some individuals might ogle, improperly touch or rape someone of the same gender?
No, of course not. But what does that have to do with keeping a man from having a legal right to access a girls bathroom simply by making the totally unverifiable claim that he "feels" like a woman on that particular day?
entional scare campaign in this is to imply or outright declare that all gay, lesbian and transgender individuals are sexual predators!
It's actually the opposite. These silly, unnecessary laws would give heterosexual predators the right to access women's bathrooms by telling a simple, unverifiable lie. That's the problem you are ignoring.
THAT'S WHY WE NEVER GET TO THE ACTUAL ISSUE!
Really?
You mean, we don't have to discuss what Trump said about Lady Di shortly after she died, because there are so many substantive criticisms we can make about him without going there?
You mean, we don't have to discuss how trump made an inconsequential phone call 25 years ago, because there are so many substantive criticisms we can make about him without going there?
When we stop going there, we'll stop going there, and in every situation.
Disclaimer:
I am not a supporter of Donald Trump. Just used the examples because they were current events. If you want to pile on, feel free.
THAT'S WHY WE NEVER GET TO THE ACTUAL ISSUE!
Really?
You mean, we don't have to discuss what Trump said about Lady Di shortly after she died, because there are so many substantive criticisms we can make about him without going there?
Not sure if your comment has anything to do with mine … which I reiterate …
The political-religious intentional scare campaign in this is to imply or outright declare that all gay, lesbian and transgender individuals are sexual predators!
THAT'S WHY WE NEVER GET TO THE ACTUAL ISSUE!
Nothing to do with Trump … can you clarify?
The answer is so obvious that I'm amazed you would ask that question...
Now, weren't you the one that told me that any woman who had an abortion-- even if for incest/rape or to save her own life, was a whore who should be executed? Not to open THAT can of worms, but gee, Sean, do you see why some of us don't put much faith in your rantings?
Whatever you feel snarky about, we all get it-- full-barreled. I would LOVE to read a non-snarky comment from you, just once! I know you're capable of it... I know that somewhere under all that bristle is a heart... I'm just having trouble trying to find it...
By the way, I'm having grilled shrimp for supper, would you like some?
The answer is so obvious that I'm amazed you would ask that question..
Explain to me how opponents of open bathrooms in schools are bandying about Leviticus to keep sexual predators from claiming they "feel" like a woman to gain access to girl's bathrooms.
Again, please show me a single person here or elsewhere who premised their opposition to a bill that allows any man to use a girls bathroom on Leviticus. I've read plenty of arguments from the people who actually proposed and voted for the bills and not a single person ever mentioned it.
You are arguing against a straw man of your own creation.
w, weren't you the one that told me that any woman who had an abortion-- even if for incest/rape or to save her own life, was a whore who should be executed?
I've never said anything remotely like that and don't believe it. Please don't project imaginary arguments upon me.
That is BS and YOU KNOW IT. It happened, Sean. I read the comment several times because I couldn't believe that you said that. But you did. It was several months ago, when abortion was being bandied about... I didn't save the link, because why would I want to save a link like that?
It is not a straw man, Sean, if the people that believe that homosexuality is wrong is because of Leviticus. Do you even read some of these articles and comments?
Once again, you're picking apart something just because you don't happen to agree. And don't tell me it hasn't happened on this site-- I've read it before. I don't wish to name names here, as that is against the CoC, but I will gladly speak with you on Private Chat or via a Private Note.
BTW, Hope you have a great evening!
No.I never said that or anything that any reasonable person could possibly equate with that. I'll be charitable and assume you are blaming me for something someone else actually wrote , but I assure you it wasn't me.
I've never deleted my account here. Feel free to waste as much time as you want looking through what I've written in a vain attempt to find anything like what you accuse me of. It doesn't exist and never has.
if the people that believe that homosexuality is wrong is because of Leviticus.
I'm sure some do. But homosexuality has nothing to do with keeping heterosexual men out of women's bathrooms.
I will gladly remove that calumny from you-- It was so hard to believe, I couldn't believe my own eyes! And NO, I'm not wasting any time on it.
Friends, still?
Sure, no hard feelings here.
Thanks!