James in Oz sends me funny stuff, some of which I post, including the following.
A lot of people hate God because of the abuse of religious teachings, exemplified by bornagain chumpism and zionism (those evil-twin, warmongering ideologies).
I remind the ones who will listen that each religion essentially exalts the human spirit but that their social teachings need to be considered in light of the social conditions that existed in the world at the time. Judaism came into existence in the middle of empires that were based on human sacrifice and genocide, for instance, and Israel was coming out of a state of slavery. That condition was characterized by corruption so deep that it took more than a generation of wandering around in the Sinai to straighten them out. Compared to Egyptians, the Phillistines, Phoenicians, Baylonians and Assyrians the Jews were paragons of virtue. The early Greek philosophers who visited that region concur. I think this is the real measure of the influence of Moses, Who also struck a devastating blow to usury, by the way.
Jesus abrogated the by-then relatively brutal laws of Judaism (also smacked usury down, again [Image Can Not Be Found] ) and Muhammad, who was surrounded by implacable enemies, as Moses was, adopted a lot of Mosaic social laws in order to promote civilization. He expressly forbade lending money at interest and established the right of women to own property (first time in recorded history).
The corporate programmers who induce thinking people to hate God and religion won’t ever mention the positive aspects of the Prophets’ gifts to humanity.
I suspect the following clever rebuttal to Dr Schlesinger’s statement was written by a typical God hater but there’s no reason to sidestep the reality of what’s in the Bible:
Why can’t I own a Canadian?
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, written by a U.S. man, and 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.
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Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are 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?
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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?
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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. -
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?
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I have a neighbour 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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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
PS (It would be a damn shame if we couldn’t own a Canadian.)
I
