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Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:00 am**

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she 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 is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident, which was posted on her website. 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 of the
other specific laws and how to follow them.

1. 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?

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. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed 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?

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?

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?

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, so I am confident
you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is
eternal and unchanging. Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:04 am**

I've heard that before but can't remember to whom or why it was written. Very entertaining. :lol:

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:15 am**

I have a rebuttal, do you wanna hear it?

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:18 am**

why not?

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:30 am**

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

John 10:30
I and the Father are one

Leviticus 18:22
You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.

It's an abomination to God, God and Jesus are the same, Jesus is the same all the time.

It's still an abomination to God and that was not changed with the New Covenant that Jesus brought about.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:33 am**

How is that a rebuttal?

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:38 am**

Donnel, Dr Laura is an Orthodox Jew. Given she isn't Christian she wouldn't follow the rules of the new testament.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:40 am**

Sorry, I wasn't clear I guess.

Of all the things the writer of that piece asked about, the only thing truly mentioned regarding the character of God is the one on homosexuality. It is an abomination. When Jesus died on the cross, he paid the penalty for the sins of his people past, present and future. He was the ultimate sacrifice.

Hebrews 9:23
In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

For as long as anyone could remember, you took your sacrifice to the temple to be slain to cover for your sins. This was a symbolic representation of the coming Messiah who would die to cover the sins of all his people. With his death and resurrection, he fulfilled the covenant that was made with Abraham millenia earlier and brought about a new covenant, a covenant of grace and mercy. No longer were the believers (reffered to as Christians) under the law, but under grace.

That's why I don't offer burnt sacrifices, nor do I try to sell my family into slavery, or worry about being unclean when I throw down on the grid iron.

However the nature of God is steadfast. What was an abomination to him in times past is still an abomination even now.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:40 am**

Lyion wrote:Donnel, Dr Laura is an Orthodox Jew. Given she isn't Christian she wouldn't follow the rules of the new testament.

I didn't say it was a Jewish Rebuttal :boots:

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:48 am**

So as long as its not an abomination your all set?

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 9:54 am**

I think you are misinterpreting the spirit of what I was saying

There are alot of issues that Christians just don't agree on 100%. Smoking for instance. Some don't see anything wrong with it, others do. I don't have an opinion one way or another on it. Something being called an abomination however is not open to debate. God had the authors write those words for a reason, and that is so there would be little question in our mind what it was he was getting at.

Remember, you are free to disagree all you want. Everything I've posted has been from a conservative, reformed Baptist standpoint. I'm not asking you to agree with anything I've said, whether you chose to or not is no skin off my nose :cool6:

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 10:22 am**

Donnel wrote:I think you are misinterpreting the spirit of what I was saying

There are alot of issues that Christians just don't agree on 100%. Smoking for instance. Some don't see anything wrong with it, others do. I don't have an opinion one way or another on it. Something being called an abomination however is not open to debate. God had the authors write those words for a reason, and that is so there would be little question in our mind what it was he was getting at.

Remember, you are free to disagree all you want. Everything I've posted has been from a conservative, reformed Baptist standpoint. I'm not asking you to agree with anything I've said, whether you chose to or not is no skin off my nose

So, are you saying that God's word is open to interpretation? or that it's absolute

If the bible is divine, then I guess we're putting you to death next?

If it's not, and it's just a collection of word of mouth stories, then I guess you get to live

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 10:34 am**

Evidently Baptists like to pick and choose which commandments to follow, like other Christian sects, then somehow claim divine guidance on it. I'm not sure how you justify randomly picking the stuff you like and dumping the other stuff, the things you said aren't in the Bible about 'oh, you don't need to sacrifice now', are they? Someone just made that up.

--R.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 10:44 am**

Actually they are.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 10:51 am**

I've done this before but i'll do it again:

1. 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?
Sacrificial Laws are for Kohanim only at time of Temple only.

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?
Slavery was frowned uppon at time of Leviticus and pushed out completly before destruction of Temple. Slavery outlawed by Mishnah and Talmud.

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.
Contact that is outlawed is Physical. Ortodox get by with it by not touching strangers.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed 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?
Slavery was frowned uppon at time of Leviticus and pushed out completly before destruction of Temple. Slavery outlawed by Mishnah and Talmud.

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?
Puting someone to death was always very dificult. This requires 2 witnesses of occurence, 2 witnesses of 2 warnings given prior to it, and judgment passed by Senedrion. There is no Senedrion now, so no one put to death.

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?
Orthodox follow laws of Kosher food, and do not eat shellfish.

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?
Temple not there

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?
Puting someone to death was always very dificult. This requires 2 witnesses of occurence, 2 witnesses of 2 warnings given prior to it, and judgment passed by Senedrion. There is no Senedrion now, so no one put to death.

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?
No.

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)
Orthodox wear specific closes made from non mix fabric, separate plants in difrent fields.
Puting someone to death was always very dificult. This requires 2 witnesses of occurence, 2 witnesses of 2 warnings given prior to it, and judgment passed by Senedrion. There is no Senedrion now, so no one put to death.

It is very easy to poke fun of laws writen 3000 years ago, however while some things might seem outdated, some stay very current. For example: Don't Steal, Don't Cheat, Don't Kill

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 10:56 am**

Tikker wrote:
Donnel wrote:I think you are misinterpreting the spirit of what I was saying

There are alot of issues that Christians just don't agree on 100%. Smoking for instance. Some don't see anything wrong with it, others do. I don't have an opinion one way or another on it. Something being called an abomination however is not open to debate. God had the authors write those words for a reason, and that is so there would be little question in our mind what it was he was getting at.

Remember, you are free to disagree all you want. Everything I've posted has been from a conservative, reformed Baptist standpoint. I'm not asking you to agree with anything I've said, whether you chose to or not is no skin off my nose

So, are you saying that God's word is open to interpretation? or that it's absolute

If the bible is divine, then I guess we're putting you to death next?

If it's not, and it's just a collection of word of mouth stories, then I guess you get to live

Tikker, just because something can be interpreted different ways does not negate divine inspiration. If a writer intends his writings to be read one way, but someone reads them a different way, does that make the writers intentions obsolete?

Not all interpretations are equal, that's why it's the responsibility of the Christian to study and to know what you believe.

2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:06 am**

So who decides whos interpretations are correct?

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:06 am**

Well I certainly don't decide for you now do I?

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:08 am**

The bible seems to have become a book of rules that changes from day to day based upon what people need it to mean at that time. The words never change but the meaning changes if it needs to inorder to support a claim.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:12 am**

That all depends on who you talk to I guess.

There's been no radical changes in the way I vew doctrine for many years. I believe in absolute truth, I'm a very black and white person. Instead of changing meaning of scripture to meet my selfish agenda, I mold my life around the tenets I believe.

Do I goof up? Of course. That doesn't mean it's time to trash the system and start over though.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:14 am**

Donnel wrote:
Tikker, just because something can be interpreted different ways does not negate divine inspiration. If a writer intends his writings to be read one way, but someone reads them a different way, does that make the writers intentions obsolete?

Not all interpretations are equal, that's why it's the responsibility of the Christian to study and to know what you believe.

So what are you saying?

That if you're not sure what the Bible means, that your own interpretation is good enough?

Or are you saying that your perfect God doesn't write well enough for you to understand his word? =P

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:17 am**

LOL Far be it from me to critique someone who is Omniscient in his writing style

All kidding aside, people's interpretations differe because people are different. Like science (as we've discussed), like art, like drama, each person comes to the table with bias and expectations. The same is true when you try to interpret scripture.

To answer your question, yes, my own interpretation is good enough, because ultimately that is what personal faith is based on.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:34 am**

Again, it's all based on interpretation from another language and the same word can sometimes mean many different things.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:35 am**

I think the point of the letter is, that she can't pick and choose what she will and will not believe from the Bible.

Posted: **Wed May 04, 2005 11:37 am**

As Ganzo pointed out very well, she wasn't.

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