Okay, so after seeing a few topics where the verse from Leviticus where it states that lying with a man as one would a woman is an abomination, I would like to present this little item written in response to one Dr. Laura. Dr. Laura is a well known radio host who gives advice. Think of her as like a radio version of an advice columnist. Well Dr. Laura said that according to this verse that Homosexuality cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Well there's a problem with this. When you follow one law of Leviticus you have to follow the rest of them. Wherein this response came in. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident: 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 I 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 him or her 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 specific laws and how to follow them. a) 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? b) 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? c) 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. d) 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? e) I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sunday (the Sabbath). In the book of Exodus verse 35:2 it clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? f) 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? g) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have 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? h) 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? i) 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? j) 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. Now discuss intelligently.
I know all about the problems of Leviticus. In-fact, I have read that same letter before. And the author of that letter is exactly right. If you follow one part, surely you are obligated to follow all of the rules to the letter, without exception? Unfortunately, most Christians get around this by saying that some parts of the Bible (i.e. the parts that they don't like) are meant to be taken as metaphorical. This then allowing them to pick and choose which parts to follow. I personally think that it is ridiculous.
I personally think this is pathetic and hilarious xD However, one can't follow all the rules from the letter, is it not true that some humans have a natural obligation to break rules once its placed? Well... Personally, I think that the rules are a bit of a pathetic joke (as stated above) since not only is it the 21st century, but over the years, people had changed parts in the bible (including the letter) and well, they aren't exactly accurate, are they now?
That really made me laugh and was just great. I've had problems with Leviticus for years being used by Christians as a reason to do anything when they clearly can't follow -all- of the laws there. We really can't follow even some of the guidelines Jesus said because they are out of date and it is 'assumed' that what he was talking about was in his time such as telling slaves to accept their lot in life and not rebel because after they would be rewarded. Leviticus was amusing and yet frightening at the same time and when people still insist on using it as a means of saying homosexuality is unfounded, truly in the end they should live by the whole decree of the section. Otherwise, they are just picking and choosing what they want. Of course, living as the Old Testament told people to do would get them utterly in trouble with our much more peaceful stance today and they'd be locked up. Such a price to pay.
Well it's been a awhile since I've read my bible, and correct me if I'm wrong, but Leviticus is in the old testament, right?Didn't all of those rules (or alteast some of them) became null and void after jesus' time? I'm probably wrong btw.
It depends on who ask at what time. There will always be people who bring up Leviticus 18:22 in reference to Homosexuality while throwing out the rest of the rules. There in lies the problem of Leviticus. People hole this one verse out of the book but ignore the rest of them on the page. It just enrages me that people can be so hypocritical as to enforce one law but throw the rest out. They keep bringing up the homosexuality verse and yet ignore the verse about shellfish and the others.
Jesus did not throw out the laws of Leviticus. He also did not get rid of the 10 Commandments and said all should still follow them. He even brought some of the Old Testament laws out when speaking to people to include that people should follow God above family love and loyalty etc. He did not really 'confront' homosexuality it would appear so it is not challenged necessarily but Jesus stood pretty firm on some other declarations of Leviticus and other areas of the Old Testament and there's no reason for some Christians to toss out Leviticus therefore, because Jesus also supported it, though he did give people a chance at redemption. The very point people are 'born sinners' and that he had to die to let them be cleansed to go to Heaven should say he did not refute the teachings as much as offer a 'second chance' to worshippers.
This was pretty funny. Despite how it all is punishable by death, it never fails to amuse me. Best. Question. Ever.
