Field of Science

The fallacy of biblical homophobia

Seriously! Here's a serious radio host taking a serious approach to a serious problem in society: that of homosexuality. And then what happens? Some professor makes a mockery of her implying with thinly disguised sarcasm that other biblical verses should carry equal weight in our enlightened present. Of course they shouldn't. We can pick and choose to suit our needs. We are past slavery! Not homophobia! We still hate homosexuals (actually, only the men), right until society becomes enlightened in this respect also (which we will fight because it says so in the Bible).
In 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, 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 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 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?

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

(It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian :)
This letter is at least a decade old by now, and the true authorship is in question.

The Bible explicitly says "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Leviticus 18:22. At least I think it's about homosexuality. How does one lie with a woman? On her left or on her right? Other translations are more explicit: "Never have sexual intercourse with a man as with a woman. It is disgusting." But, how is it at all possible to have sexual intercourse with a man as with a woman? The man doesn't have a vagina! Or, is it assumed that sexual intercourse equals anal sex? Or oral sex? Since this is advice for a man only, can two women lie with each other? Can the man watch?

So many questions without answers that I need to know how to live my life.

Related posts:
The harm that homosexuality does
Homophobia as state policy
Homosexuality is not a choice
Homosexuality is catholic in the animal kingdom

2 comments:

  1. There are many ways to mock and defame those people who believe in God and the Bible. One very common way is such a kind of in which people mix up all commands of the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. In this writing, I bring forth that how mockers distort, take things out of the context and mix up order of the Old and New Covenant.


    I bring forth few arguments that mockers use. My answers are according to the order of the New Covenant, and I rectify few misunderstandings and misrepresented things.

    Source; http://koti.phnet.fi/petripaavola/answeringtomockersoftheBible.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. man with desire (i.e., ordinary man), you say mixing up old and new testament is to defame God and the Bible... But why is that? Do you not accept the writings in the old testament? If not, then on what basis? If you do, then those questions above still stand.

    ReplyDelete

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