I have not authenticated the sources of the letter that follows: however, I have checked two written styles of Leviticus 18:22. The New International Bible uses the term ‘detestable’ and The King James Bible uses ‘abomination’. The message of the letter indicates we should not be too quick to accept isolated quotes about anything, and certainly not without question.
…………………
On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger 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. Laura, written by a U.S. man and
posted on the Internet. Thank you Christopher Jordan for sharing this.
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 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 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 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 damn shame if we couldn’t own a Canadian
RANDOM THOUGHTS 
It’s not God’s word you should worry about, it’s Leviticus’s. :))
:)):)) See: http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/drlaura.asp :wave:
That’s another point of view, certainly.
Next question:
Whose commandments should be allowed to take precedence and why?
Hi Bushka,
Great findings. :yes:
I think the message remains the same, whatever the source/s and it certainly reinforces it.
Struth, Leviticus strikes fear and trepidation right through me…..running for the hills I am!!!xxxx
Hi PP
I don’t suppose a yert would help provide much protection while you are exposed to the alliance of the testamentary elements, would it.
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Well I thoroughly enjoyed that, but am becoming a little concerned as recently I have begun to covet my neighbour’s ass and feel that an Old Testament plague is just around the corner from visiting me!
Are they Ten Commandments? :)) :>>
Ah well, all you need to do, Tim, is abide by the pronouncements of Leviticus, and you will be just fine. ๐
Others might not be!
They are not the stated commandments of Moses… it gives you choice, so, you must choose what you prefer.
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Yes, OK !
That made me laugh.:)
Humour is an amazing tool for getting a message over, Kittie99.
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I agree and yet I know someone who would find the letter wounding;you could say it was unfairly selective.The Jewish people were way ahead of anyone else in the development of writing;the alphabet.the notion of monogamy hundreds of years before other societies.Not that they are always able to stick to it…..and I feel many are accepting of homosexuality as long as people don’t try to “Thrust it down their throat”Ahaa.:)
Kittie, You make valid points. I was at a funeral service where the Minister managed to analyse and interpret the 23rd Psalm in a manner totally unrecognisable to me, and I might add, totally uncharitably. I reached for the King James bible in front of me, (not that it may be untouched and unsullied as regards interpretations)and for the life of me I could not drag out of the words in front of me, anything of the nature the Minister had. It was surreal.
The point of the ‘letter’, was exactly what you point out, the selectivity and wounding, the offence and ignorance, (the self-publicity) that is being portrayed in arguments, as there always was and is.
To me the letter is mocking the Hebrew Bible…not showing that selective quotation is bad.He is saying,OK,the bible condemsn homosexuality but accepts slavery and other dreadful things.Hence take no notice of it.Judaisn is a load of rubbish.
That’s what it says to me.
Hi Kittie,
The quote was said to have been used selectively by an American rabbi known for her selectivity in her pronouncements. The letter (which I believe was said to be tongue-in-cheek to her) says several things, mainly, though, be careful in what you use to be selective for effect, it might bite you back, and if you are going to risk selection, then bear in mind that the context of the whole discussion has to be taken into consideration and in the context of societies of today, not contemporaneous to the time in which the words are said to have been written. Politicians at all levels of community life are adept at being selective. Nowhere do I see that the letter says Judaism is a load of rubbish. Interpretations are made from subjective perspectives.
You and I both know that people’s faiths are important to them. The beauty of the Old Testament and New Testament faiths is, that they do allow today, for democratic discussion and debate. Debate takes many forms. Long may that be so.
Thank you for your comments.
The Catholic Church does not allow democratic discussion and could be called totalitarian.But many Catholics ignore the teachings.
That woman is not a rabbi.I think she writes books about sex problems….preumably not for homosexuals!
I am not Jewish but I do know some who have been sent the above letter with the name removed to try to upset them….
It is intriguing to see how people interpret it.
I can see what you mean… but am unsure if it’s the only way to see it.Still no doubt the Jews will survive such writings
At a top political level the RC’s have their issues as does the C of E with all its various schisms, and likewise, the Abrahamic faiths, as we see in the UK and in other parts of the world. Benign neglect at community level, appears to be the way many uncomfortable matters are dealt with.
People will always interpret issues differently, one from the other. It can make for fascinating dialogue and enlightenment.
The Jewish people are survivors, their humour is a great part of their survival strategy; Freud studied humour and wrote up his findings. It is a notable feature found amongst ethnic groups in diaspora.
Yes,it can be very interesting but until very recently the Catholic Church would threaten to exxcommunicate people who sent their child to a non Cathilic school.I don’t think many people outside it can imagine how dictatorial it was.
It may interest some but I had enough already.:)
A close friend did everything, including scrubbing the exterior stone steps of the church and those at the altar, for years, to work her children into the local R.C school, (in NW London). They were refused. She stopped scrubbing steps, a disillusioned and disappointed woman, mother, and daughter of that church. I don’t think it did much for continuing religious loyalty with those children.
The children did very well, got good results, at the local State schools and have had good careers.
Sadly, so many communities here were, (and are,the world over) held to emotional ransom for their beliefs.
I feel angry to hear this story… they could manipulate and at when I look at Jesus I think he did not found a church.The idea of the Vatican would seem weird to him.I think he was a poet and a prophet.I would very much like to have seen him,spoken to him.Whoever he was,he was remarkable.The Jews have such a long cultural history…I believe others such as Rabbi Hillel had similar beliefs
It’s how we treat each other here that matters…compassion is the message… that’s my view.
I must admit I love being inside a Cathedral like Durham,York or Lincoln.That can be a religious experience.
When I saw Lincoln Cathedral floodlit my legs gave way and I fell down.
That happened when I saw a drawing by Picasso too.I am now too stiff and old to permit that but if I died that way it would be a good way to go as long as it was almost instant!
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We would all crave a clean and swift death; it’s a good way to go for the individual, but, always a shock for those close, who have not had a second to prepare for loss,and who are left behind.