Letter to Dr. Laura highlights fallacy in a particular anti-homosexual argument.

[Teresa]

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 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 best follow them.

a) 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?

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 neighboring 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 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?

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 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?

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.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.
James M. Kauffman, Ed. D.
Professor Emeritus Dept. of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education
University of Virginia

http://www.youtube.com/v/DSXJzybEeJM

[Bulldog]

Dr. Laura can be highly perceptive, but she's a nut when it comes to religion, divorce and abortion.

I don't know if your thread has anything to do with today's ruling in California, but the timing is right.  I was glad to hear that Prop. 8 was thrown out the window. 

[Teresa]

Dr. Laura can be highly perceptive, but she's a nut when it comes to religion, divorce and abortion.

I don't know if your thread has anything to do with today's ruling in California, but the timing is right.  I was glad to hear that Prop. 8 was thrown out the window.

It does, I found the link in a reader's comment to the news story.

[jowcol]

FWIW-- I do like a lot about this letter-- people are awfully selective about which Bible commandments they wish to acknowledge. 

Although, it should be clear that Dr. Kauffman denies writing this letter.  CHeck out his page--

http://people.virginia.edu/~jmk9t/

It also has a link to the Snopes article about the letter, and the way it's been repackaged and re-attributed.

And yes, I'm glad about the decision about Prop 8, but the defendents did not do a very good job.  If it gets escalated, I don't think they will be as complacent.

[Saul]

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 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 best follow them.

a) 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?

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 neighboring 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 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?

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 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?

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.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.
James M. Kauffman, Ed. D.
Professor Emeritus Dept. of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education
University of Virginia

http://www.youtube.com/v/DSXJzybEeJM

Teresa, do you agree with this cut and paste out of the context ignorant rubbish?

[Daverz]

Dr. Laura can be highly perceptive, but she's a nut when it comes to religion, divorce and abortion.

I used to listen to her a lot in the car in the mid 90s, but gradually I found I could take her less and less.  This was long before she left Judaism.

[Daverz]

And yes, I'm glad about the decision about Prop 8, but the defendents did not do a very good job.  If it gets escalated, I don't think they will be as complacent.

I'll put $100 on a 5-4 reversal by the Supreme Court.  Anyone want to take the bet?

I'm somewhat embarrassed that this passed in California. Yes, the Mormons pumped tons of money in to the Yes on 8 campaign, but Californians should have known better.

[Brian]

I'll put $100 on a 5-4 reversal by the Supreme Court.  Anyone want to take the bet?

Reading the actual decision right now. It seems the defendants really did not present any argument at all with a bearing on the U.S. or California constitution - they only called two witnesses, one of whom talked rather off-message about how America would be a better country with gay marriage, and the other testified that gays and lesbians have enough political power not to be actively oppressed. Four witnesses were no-shows. On several occasions, the counsel told the judge that they "did not need to" present arguments about certain points.

The Supreme Court may choose to hear the case because of its high profile. However, if the Prop 8 supporters fail to drum up an actual argument in their favor which pertains to the Constitutional questions of due process and equal protection, something they have yet to do, the high court might pass on the case altogether.

So yeah, I'll take the bet. I can see Kennedy, Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor, Kagan, and maybe even Roberts siding with the gay rights people. The Constitution is silent on marriage but the 14th Amendment is very vocal about equal protection. Incidentally, wouldn't it also compel states like Texas to recognize gay married couples from other states? It seems that way to me.

[False_Dmitry]

I struggle to understand why the execution of an itinerant rabble-rouser several thousand years ago becomes a basis for a contemporary moral codex - on this issue, or on any other issue either.

[Sid]

I dont' think that the Christian churches will easily accept (or carry out) gay marriages, let alone the Jews or the Muslims. The best that supporters of it can probably hope for is to get civil marriages recognised. & I don't think that'll be easy either.

Personally, I'm not for or against, I'm pretty neutral on the matter.

[Teresa]

I dont' think that the Christian churches will easily accept (or carry out) gay marriages, let alone the Jews or the Muslims. The best that supporters of it can probably hope for is to get civil marriages recognised. & I don't think that'll be easy either.

Personally, I'm not for or against, I'm pretty neutral on the matter.

There are plenty of Gay and Gay-friendly Churches that currently perform same-sex affirmation ceremonies, they are just like a real marriage without the legal recognition or protections.  Gay Church.org We have two in Reno.  They would be pleased to preform real Gay marriages. 

The majority of Gays I know are Christian and I even have met an openly Gay minister. 

For the good of society I support Gay marriage as it is to their benefit to be in monogamous relationships, with the same moral and health benefits of monogamous Straight marriages.  Promiscuity is not healthy or moral.

Homosexuality and the Bible

[Saul]

There are plenty of Gay and Gay-friendly Churches that currently perform same-sex affirmation ceremonies, they are just like a real marriage without the legal recognition or protections.  Gay Church.org We have two in Reno.  They would be pleased to preform real Gay marriages. 

The majority of Gays I know are Christian and I even have met an openly Gay minister. 

For the good of society I support Gay marriage as it is to their benefit to be in monogamous relationships, with the same moral and health benefits of monogamous Straight marriages.  Promiscuity is not healthy or moral.

Homosexuality and the Bible

The Talmud says that earthquakes come as punishments on societies that accept homosexual abominations.
I learned this in my days in Yeshiva. No wonder California, got hit so many times then other states in the U.S. It is in that state that Pornography runs ramped and Homosexual behavior is accepted and even encouraged.

1000 Rabbis Warn: Open Homosexuality in the Military is a Disaster and May Cause Further Natural Disasters

"When Americans are suffering economically and millions need jobs, it's shocking that the Administration is focused on its ultra-liberal militantly homosexualist agenda forcing the highlighting of homosexuals and homosexuality on an unwilling military. This is the equivalent of the spiritual rape of our military to satisfy the most extreme and selfish cadre of President Obama's kooky coalition.
We agree with Eileen Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness that this will hurt the cohesiveness of the military, cause many to leave the army, and dramatically lower the number of recruits, perhaps leading to the reinstatement of a compulsory draft.

"Thirteen months before 9/11, on the day New York City passed homosexual domestic partnership regulations, I joined a group of Rabbis at a City Hall prayer service, pleading with G-d not to visit disaster on the city of N.Y. We have seen the underground earthquake, tsunami, Katrina, and now Haiti. All this is in sync with a two thousand year old teaching in the Talmud that the practice of homosexuality is a spiritual cause of earthquakes. Once a disaster is unleashed, innocents are also victims just like in Chernobyl.
"We plead with saner heads in Congress and the Pentagon to stop sodomization of our military and our society. Enough is enough."

[Brian]

I struggle to understand why the execution of an itinerant rabble-rouser several thousand years ago becomes a basis for a contemporary moral codex - on this issue, or on any other issue either.

Not just you, my friend. 

[False_Dmitry]

Once a disaster is unleashed, innocents are also victims just like in Chernobyl.
"We plead with saner heads in Congress and the Pentagon to stop sodomization of our military and our society. Enough is enough."

Puh-lease. 

[Lethevich]

Chernobyl was because god got angry at a village of gays btw, this just in.

[karlhenning]

Chernobyl was because god got angry at a village of gays btw, this just in.

Well, not all of the Dark Age religious can be in Iran, I guess . . . .

[jowcol]

The Talmud says that earthquakes come as punishments on societies that accept homosexual abominations.

Ironically, one of the most fault- and earthquake-ridden countries in the world is Iran, where, not only are they not particularly tolerant of homosexual behavior, but their leader says it doesn't exist.

Or maybe there is a correlation between major geological fault/tectonic plate boundaries and gay behavior.

[The Six]

Gays are shooting themselves in their collective feet. Who actually wants to get married? Their lives have been pretty good lately; they get cute roles in tv shows, are assumed to have superb fashion sense, etc. Why foul it up with the crappiness of marriage? So dumb.

[Guido]

The Talmud says that earthquakes come as punishments on societies that accept homosexual abominations.
I learned this in my days in Yeshiva. No wonder California, got hit so many times then other states in the U.S. It is in that state that Pornography runs ramped and Homosexual behavior is accepted and even encouraged.

1000 Rabbis Warn: Open Homosexuality in the Military is a Disaster and May Cause Further Natural Disasters

"When Americans are suffering economically and millions need jobs, it's shocking that the Administration is focused on its ultra-liberal militantly homosexualist agenda forcing the highlighting of homosexuals and homosexuality on an unwilling military. This is the equivalent of the spiritual rape of our military to satisfy the most extreme and selfish cadre of President Obama's kooky coalition.
We agree with Eileen Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness that this will hurt the cohesiveness of the military, cause many to leave the army, and dramatically lower the number of recruits, perhaps leading to the reinstatement of a compulsory draft.

"Thirteen months before 9/11, on the day New York City passed homosexual domestic partnership regulations, I joined a group of Rabbis at a City Hall prayer service, pleading with G-d not to visit disaster on the city of N.Y. We have seen the underground earthquake, tsunami, Katrina, and now Haiti. All this is in sync with a two thousand year old teaching in the Talmud that the practice of homosexuality is a spiritual cause of earthquakes. Once a disaster is unleashed, innocents are also victims just like in Chernobyl.
"We plead with saner heads in Congress and the Pentagon to stop sodomization of our military and our society. Enough is enough."

Hahahahahaa! It's funny how they also happen to be on fault lines too! Brighton, the gay capital of England has never once been hit by a major earthquake. Neither have Amsterdam or London or Paris or Berlin - other places where there are a lot of gay people and gay culture is big. Strange.

EDIT: ah! Saw that Jowcol got there first!

[Brian]

Hahahahahaa! It's funny how they also happen to be on fault lines too! Brighton, the gay capital of England has never once been hit by a major earthquake. Neither have Asmterdam or London or Paris or Berlin - other places where there are a lot of gay people and gay culture is big. Strange.

EDIT: ah! Saw that Jowcol got there first!

On the other hand, Kansas is a really conservative state and they have tons of tornados.