FROM 2002: Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a 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 east coast 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 of the other specific laws and how to follow them: 
 
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? 
 
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? 
 
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. 
 
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? 
 
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? 
 
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? 
 
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? 
 
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 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? 
 
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. 

anewbeginning23:

Imagine you travel back in time 150 years. America is hardly the home of the free, as most families below the mason dixon line own slaves and see no wrong doing so. Somewhere in this distant world, a teenager feels compelled to stand up for his own beliefs on the matter against his Protestant parents.
“but Mother,” he pleads, “you can’t deny a human basic civil rights and buy and sell them. I dont think that humans should be property.”
“Son, your father and I would not have slaves if we believed it was immoral.”
The boy’s father reaches across the table and grabs one of the household Bibles. He opens to scripture referring to slavery and the laws and regulations of it.
“Son, we are following the scripture. We treat our slaves well. No where in God’s word does it forbid us to own slaves.”
The son retreats, defeated.

Christians now accept that those verses about slavery are no longer applicable today. Slavery strips humans of their rights and goes against many morals of the Bible and how we should treat one another therefore it is wrong.

In a conversation with my parents (present-day), they have shown me the scripture that condemns homosexuality. They have told me I am going to hell and that I could not possibly believe in the same God if I think God loves me and made me this way.
Whether or not you believe in God, the interpretation that some have of the Bible’s perspective on homosexuality has more likely than not, influenced the lives of those of you in the lgbt community. So, for Christians and non-Christians alike, I have prepared some food for thought (on a bed of rationality).

I urge those who use the Bible to judge homosexuals to consider that their argument is flawed. Consider that the verses in the Bible are in context of a time where humans were much less understood. That the same way people used the Bible so that they could own slaves is how they use it to enslave us. We are convinced that we are not worthy of society’s acceptance or even God’s love (if you believe in him) because “the Bible says so”.

If you are a Christian, you know that people still believe the Bible to be infallible (flawless) even though it does not condemn behavior such as slavery that we believe to be unethical today.
If Christians accept homosexuals, and believe that God loves them, it does not mean that the Bible must be false. It only means that they are recognizing the Bible as it was written-with very different historical context-and the world would be a much better place.

I know that religion is often a taboo subject, but I just wanted to share my musings with others in hope that some may find comfort and that others may see reason. Even if you don’t hold any religious belief consistent with that of the Bible, this still could be relevant considering that as big ol’ flaming homos, we all have, or will evetually, encounter the type of people who will slam scripture in your face and try to “save the gays” from their “wicked ways”.

thanks for reading if you made it to the end :)

lgbtlaughs:

I was in Bojangles, which is a fast food restaurant in the South, last night. I overheard a table over from me having this conversation. Keep in mind, everybody was well over 60 and had Southern accents.

Elder Lady: Ya know, Marie doesn’t exactly look like a boy, but Joyce says that’s what she is now. Well, I guess I shouldn’t call her she, I shouldn’t even call her Marie. She *chuckle* I mean he goes by Matt now.

Elder Gentleman: That ain’t right. Joyce needs to teach that girl that that ain’t right. Don’t they go to church?

Elder Lady: Roy, you listen to me. That child is finally happy. Do you remember the last time you saw h-him really happy? Isn’t that’s all that’s important? Joyce raised her a Christian and that’s all that counts. Every child is beautiful in God’s eyes. It’s time you accepted that.

Elder Gentleman: Well damn.

Elder Lady: Now you better be nice to that child, I can’t imagine how hard it must be.

After about 20 seconds silence,

Elder Gentleman: I guess I could take her fishin’ sometime if she’s gonna insist on being a boy now.

Elder Lady: That’s him, Roy.

Then the woman smacked him on the side of the head and the whole table laughed. My town is small and full of “bible-thumpers.” Hearing this gave me hope that people are finally starting to be more accepting here, and that hopefully people won’t have to hide anymore.

(submitted by: matingunicorns)