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

[McCabe, Diann A]

This reaction to Laura Schlesinger was featured on a wonderful episode of The West Wing where President Bartlett asked her the questions.

Diann


On 5/11/10 1:53 PM, "James Wiegel" <jfwiegel at yahoo.com> wrote:

Just be careful with this approach . . . not sure what "original texts" might surface with people working on the archives this month . . . :)

Jim

You can observe a lot by watching.  Yogi Berra


Jim Wiegel
401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353-2401
+1  623-936-8671   +1  623-363-3277
   jfwiegel at yahoo.com   www.partnersinparticipation.com <http://www.partnersinparticipation.com>


________________________________
From: Herman Greene <hfgreene at mindspring.com>
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Tue, May 11, 2010 11:11:43 AM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] FW: Helpful and scholarly information based on theBible


That's a good one.



________________________________

From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Del Morril
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 12:36 PM
To: Order Ecumenical
Subject: [Oe List ...] FW: Helpful and scholarly information based on theBible









________________________________

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/bd57b279/attachment.html>