[Oe List ...] FW: Helpful and scholarly information based on the Bible

[Del Morril]

  _____  

From: Dennis Flannigan [mailto:dennis.flannigan at gmail.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 8:17 AM
To: Beverely Long
Subject: Helpful and scholarly information based on the Bible

 

Friends,

 

Sometimes I read the Bible too quickly. Sometimes not at all. Fortunately my
friend, Bev Long does it for me. She recently found this informative series
of questions suggested by careful reading Leviticus, and other Bible verses.
Much of what follows was inspired by Dr. Laura Schlesinger, sort of an Idiot
Savant of pop psychology. And, a RADIO talk show host, so she's really
smart. Here's the note she sent.

 

df

 

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant 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. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet.
It's funny, as well as 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 neighbouring 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 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?

 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, 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
PS.  It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://wedgeblade.net/pipermail/oe_wedgeblade.net/attachments/20100511/463b2ae7/attachment.html>