I appreciated this.

[Scotsman]

**I'm not looking to start any form of debate on religion**


On her radio show, Dr. Laura 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 response is an open letter to Dr. Schlesinger, written by a US man, and posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as quite 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 other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may 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?

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. 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 neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

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, or should I ask the police to do it?

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? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

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 and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,

James M. Kauffman,

Ed.D. Professor Emeritus,

Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia

P.S. (It would be a **** shame if we couldn't own a Canadian.)

 

[9006]

Hehe, funny, though I think some people may actually be offended and feel the need to defend. :-\

 

[Scotsman]

^like I said, I'm not igniting a debate intentionally, nor will i be entering in to one should it arise. If people have a faith that's cool by me.

---

Me? I'm an atheist, just to give clarity on my stance

 

[Alienated]

I am a Christian and I found that amusing... uneducated and taken out of context, but done in a humorous manor. If someone approached me like that, I would enjoy talking to them. He does ask valid questions, that all have valid answers.

Much better than being blamed for all pain and suffering on the Earth, since the beginning of time. And being so intolerant that they can't tolerate me, or any thing I believe, and that I don't have the right to speak anymore.

I appreciated it too.

 

[Sigma]

Who knew that following a book written by people thousands of years ago by the letter would be a bad idea?

But yes in all seriousness times have changed, and so have the views on slavery and homosexuality.

 

[LoneKiller]

Before I begin this I want to make it crystal clear that my words are from my experience and faith. I'm not a biblical scholar nor do I claim to be. I'm not saying that anyone who disagrees with me is wrong. We all have the right to worship God and interpret the Bible and it's contents in anyway we see fit.

"Gimmie that ol' time religion." The above mentioned passages are from the Old Testament. They were addressing the people of that time. God was pretty hardcore back then which in turn, followers were much more serious in their beliefs and fear of God in my opinion.

I believe that quite often we are harder on ourselves than God is. He's not some anal lightning bolt hurling Creator. Quite the opposite. He's put up with my ass for 38 years so we know He has much patience. God understands our motives for what and why we do what we do. He knows what we need even before we do.

He has laws in place because he loves us and wants us to experience all the joy in the world that we are blind to as we live our daily lives failing to take into consideration the beautiful things around us and in us as opposed to the bad. Personally, I prefer women, but I just can't see God punishing two men or two women for the sexual activities they engage in if they truly love one another.

I challenge any priest standing up in front of his or her congregation preaching the sins of homosexuality be able to tell me with a straight face that they haven't broken at least one of the Ten Commandments or have never sinned in their lifetime.
Just because someone is a member of the clergy doesn't mean that they never sin.

God does make exceptions. Here's one example. It's believed that suicide is a sin and is considered murder in God's eyes. Take some
13yo kid who is constantly bullied from other students from his school, has an alcoholic mother who beats him on a daily basis, and has a boyfriend who molests him. Seeing no end in sight of this appalling treatment even after the poor kid prayed to God to make it stop without any signs of help that he can see coming, kills himself. I believe that God takes all of that into consideration before deciding how He is going to deal with this boy. Many say that the Bible contradicts itself therefor it can't be from the inspiration of an all-knowing perfect God and readers lose respect for His words and stick the book back up on the shelf. I believe the Bible is perfect because it's God's word and He is perfect. We humans aren't perfect.

Therefor we cannot truly understand true perfection. God didn't make a mistake and allow for passages in the book to contradict each other. He's throwing curve balls at us in the efforts to make us want to study it on a deeper level and become closer to Him. The more effort you put into study the more fruitful your efforts will prove to be.

Before I finish, I want to comment one more thing. I'm sick and tired of bad things going on in the world today that people blame God for. He blessed us with free will. You can't rob a bank only to have your getaway car stall a block down the road causing your arrest then blame God for picking on you. You made a choice. You must accept the consequences of that choice. It's that simple.

You've heard some say that how can a loving God allow all of the starvation and hunger of the poor souls living in Ethiopia for example. WE as humans from all countries of the world have the money and resources to end all of that suffering forever. The millions of dollars all countries of the world spend on weapons, tanks, rockets, planes, etc. is appalling. I understand that countries need to defend themselves, but c'mon.

The price of 2 stealth bombers is in the millions! Think of all the help the rest of the prosperous countries could give just by building a little less military material and use that money to help. We can't blame God for that tragic starvation when we have the tools to end it! I have much respect for individuals who donate money towards these causes, but it's simply not enough. If it were, the whole starvation problem would go away. It has to be a global effort. A sincere and compassionate unity with one goal.

Jesus died for our sins. But there are some who misinterpret that a little. There is a guy from the chess club that said to me once that if you get baptised you are "Covered" for any sins you commit by Jesus' death. Jesus did die for our sins yes, but that doesn't give you carte blanche to go around committing crimes without any remorse or a carefree attitude. You must be truly sorry for your actions. He can tell if you are full of honeysuckle with respect to the remorse you show.

If anyone judges you and ridicules you for engaging in sexual intercourse with a person of the same gender and gives you all that God will have you burn in the Lake Of Fire crap just respond and say: "Are you a without sin *******?" He can't say with a clean conscience yes. The ridicule stops there.

There are many things in this world we would like to know so we ask questions without realizing that these are questions that no human can possibly answer. That's why God gave us a book and access to Him through prayer.

Once again. This is just how I see it through my eyes.

 

[LeaningIntoTheMuse]

Not to get into a discussion on religion, because I feel that is completely personal to the individual, and has no place here.

But I do agree on the viewpoint on God. Sometimes I think that God is staring down at me from heaven, and holding his head in his hands, going "Why, why, why?" I am a major screwup in many ways, but there are people much more screwed up than me, so I hope he's not too mad at me.

I do feel cleansed when I walk into church. I feel like God is there, and he understands. I may be a major fresia up in many ways, but I think that I am way too hard on myself. Everything happens for a reason, and everything is a learning experience.

EDIT: For the record, I am responding to LoneKiller's post, not the OP. I thought LK was the OP, and didn't see the other posts until after I posted this.

 

[LoneKiller]

Not to get into a discussion on religion, because I feel that is completely personal to the individual, and has no place here.

But I do agree on the viewpoint on God. Sometimes I think that God is staring down at me from heaven, and holding his head in his hands, going "Why, why, why?" I am a major screwup in many ways, but there are people much more screwed up than me, so I hope he's not too mad at me.

I do feel cleansed when I walk into church. I feel like God is there, and he understands. I may be a major fresia up in many ways, but I think that I am way too hard on myself. Everything happens for a reason, and everything is a learning experience.

Well put Muse.
I gotta little carried away there as I often do with this kind of discussion.

 

[LeaningIntoTheMuse]

I didn't want to respond to the entire text, because there are many who believe in God, but not Christianity, and I didn't want to offend them.

Religion is a personal topic, and can get very heated. There are also many different branches of Christianity. I'm a very liberal Christian, and I've discovered that I can get into arguments with very conservative Christians who follow the same bible I do. Why? That is why there are at least 12 different branches of Christianity in America!

---

And I wanted to say that, as a regular porn viewer, I have sinned right there. It is straight porn, but if it was gay porn, I don't think I would be sinning MORE. Sin is the same, and everyone has the opportunity to cleanse themselves of sin.

 

[LoneKiller]

Just saying hey to all the viewers watching with their popcorn and Red Bull hoping this discussion will get out of hand and turn into a dramatic argument and posting feud.

 

[EveWasFramed]

*ahem*

Back on topic and away from religious debate..

I thought that was funny as fresia, G.
I needed a good chuckle today. (hug)