Religious E-mail Being Passed Around Office
scottorr
599 Posts
This e-mail was forwarded to me by a co-worker. I do not think it is appropriate for work and disciplanary action will follow. My question to my fellow Christian forumites is, is this information true? Being a Buddhist I have never read the bible so I am not sure. This truly is not intended to offend anyone, I am just curious. To be honest, I'm not sure who Dr. Laura is.
A Letter to Dr. Laura
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 someone who accepts the Bible, to her 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 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.
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 cleanliness - 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 only 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. Eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10. Is it 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.
A Letter to Dr. Laura
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 someone who accepts the Bible, to her 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 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.
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 cleanliness - 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 only 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. Eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10. Is it 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.
Comments
I live in Massachusetts where there is a strong Catholic presence. As most of you know the Catholic church has been involved in years of covering up child sexual abuse. This has contributed to my belief that religion CAN be used to do terrible things. The whole thing just breaks my heart.
Sometimes I feel a little alienated from the forum because it seems the majority of you are Christian. I know that this is not because of anything that anyone has posted, just my own hesitation when it comes to posting to any thread that contains this subject. I follow them all though and have come to appreciate and respect everybodies belief system.
Deez
In one case the priest accused was a member of NAMBLA a homosexual organization that encourages "man" "boy" physical relations and his higher ups KNEW this and still protected him.
I don't know why this was allowed to continue by the Church but it was.
I think that the Catholic faith is being unrealistic in believing that Priests can go without sex their whole lives. I think that this kind of rule encourages perverts or perhaps even changes people when they are deprived for so long. God wants us to procreate and have families. What were they thinking when they made that rule! This is one of the reasons so many got out and started another following.
Anyway, boy did that stir up some thoughts and emotions....
Jane
>HS, you have not offended me. I appreciate your response in fact. You
>are right they are bad people who have done this not Catholicism
>itself. But there are'nt just a few instances. MA has been badly
>affected by this as it has come out the Cardinal and many higher
>church officials covered up many, many cases of sexual abuse.
>knowingly transferred abusive priests to environments that expose them
>to children and there have been hundreds, literally hundreds of cases
>that have come forward. Some of these may be false but so far
>documentation seems to support most of the accusations.
>In one case the priest accused was a member of NAMBLA a homosexual
>organization that encourages "man" "boy" physical relations and his
>higher ups KNEW this and still protected him.
>I don't know why this was allowed to continue by the Church but it
>was.
>08:38 AM (CST)[/font]
>
>I have noticed also that religion is a frequent topic on the forum.
>It has been at times somewhat uncomfortable for me. I am agnostic. One
>of the reasons for this is because I was particularly interested in
>history while growing up and noticed that there was a lot of harm done
>in the cause of furthering religious beliefs. I am aware that a lot of
>good has come from religion as well, but having been brought up in a
>family that was not of any particular faith I simply chose not to
>practice any.
>I live in Massachusetts where there is a strong Catholic presence. As
>most of you know the Catholic church has been involved in years of
>covering up child sexual abuse. This has contributed to my belief that
>religion CAN be used to do terrible things. The whole thing just
>breaks my heart.
>Sometimes I feel a little alienated from the forum because it seems
>the majority of you are Christian. I know that this is not because of
>anything that anyone has posted, just my own hesitation when it comes
>to posting to any thread that contains this subject. I follow them all
>though and have come to appreciate and respect everybodies belief
>system.
>Deez
Deeze: I think your last sentence clearly testifies to the fact of what kind of person you are. A "good person" may not necessarily be Christian, Jewish, Buddist or any religion whatever. Sitting in a church will not give you a free ticket to any hereafter.
Chari
My post was not to find out if I did the right thing because if we are nothing else here, we are consistant. What I wanted to find out was if the information contained in the e-mail was accurate. Often I find these types of e-mail are full of holes. However, this e-mail had specific refences. Don was able to give me the answers I was looking for.
Thanks to everyone for your feedback. I know that religion or lack there of is a touchie subject and very personal. I hope no one was offended.
Well said.
Chari
My $0.02 worth,
DJ The Balloonman
Old Testatment: Law
New Testamtent: Love
Summary: God knew that no one could live up to the standards of the "Law", so he provided a permanent sacrfice in His son Jesus.
Does anyone out there really believe that in these broken down, sinful bodies (Chrisitians like me included, Rom. 3:23) of ours, that we can really please a Hold God? Neither did God. That's why the New Testament is so exciting, because it teaches us our salvation is FREE, we do nothing to earn it!!!! It says "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9.
People think the bible is nothing but brimstone and fire....not true at all!!
Just remember, History (not just the bible) records that Jesus walked the earth. You can't say he was just a good teacher, or philospher. He claimed to be the Son of God...so he was either, a Liar, Lunatic or Lord.
Any other questions about the bible, please feel free to e-mail.
-RJS
Flavius Josephus (AD 37?-101?) mentions Jesus - Antiquities, Book 18, ch. 3, par. 3.
A. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, (9) those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; (10) as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.
Flavius Josephus (AD 37?-101?) mentions James, the brother of Jesus - Antiquities, Book 20, ch. 19.
A. "Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done."
Just my .02
Also - to all the Forumites - I think our discussion on religion is a good thing. I know the other threads on religion have enlightened me to what people outside of my circle of friends, my company, and the Bible thumping middle of America may think.
I want to that you for letting me in on your thoughts and beliefs and I hope that I didn't offend anyone. You certainly haven't offended me - but educated me the way good friends can. (You know, the friends that you argue with one moment and hang out with the next)
Zanne
"History tells me that persecution comes, generally, not from bad people trying to make other people bad, but from good people trying to make other people good. How ironic it would be if we lose our freedom at last, not to leftists tossing bombs, but to Christians espousing slogans."
When we contemplate the horrors that have been inflicted on the world in the name of god (by whatever name he is known),with the intention to make men more godly, it is indeed apalling. Sorry, didn't mean to heavy up a topic that had lightened up. P.S. I forgot to fess up to something: I bought a redheaded mush head (Canadian) 39 years ago, and she's owned me ever since. Just one lucky guy eh?
Scott, by all means discipline for non-work relatedness, but it is awfully funny.
Your original question asked if statements in the e-mail were true. I am not a theologian but my answer to you would be "yes and no". Yes, the verses are in the Bible. In fact, there are some others that are even more disturbing if taken out of context with no knowledge of the historical situation and customs of the time.
The short explanation is that God wanted the Israelites, His chosen people, to be set apart and DIFFERENT from the other nations who worshipped idols. The idea being that the Israelites would be a "light" in a dark world leading other nations to God. So, yes, there were some guidelines like the prohibition of shellfish which seem odd to us 5 thousand years later but were significant at the time.
The Bible, like any book, must be read in context with an understanding of the societal circumstances of the times.
That being said, the e-mail is a fairly caustic attack leveled at Dr. Laura and subsequently (if passed around) anyone from a Judeo-Christian faith background. In a multi-faith environment, any attack on one particular faith should receive a clear and firm response from HR.
Paul in Cannon Beach
I was raised catholic and when my brothers and I each were confirmed, my mom told us it was up to us whether or not we'd like to continue attending mass. None of us continued. At the time, I thought church was boring and couldn't relate to what was presented to me. I attempted to read the bible as a young adult and gave up very quickly. Again, I just couldn't relate.
Looking back, I guess it was because we were basically just told to believe what we were told and go to church because that's what good catholics do. Maybe we were never told this verbatim, but it's the general message I remember from priests, CCD teachers, elder family members, etc.
I recently learned that a great aunt refused to "accept" a grandchild because the mother never married the father. She does, however, acknowledge other grandchildren born of the same mother with her husband.
Prior to my parents wedding, my great aunt wrote my dad a letter expressing her disapproval of him because my mom was pregnant before they married, AND he happened to be methodist. They've been married for 38 years now and are still happy together. They are amazing parents and good people.
Is this what a "good catholic" does? Reject those who don't conform to the rules or believe as catholics do?
My Dad and my husband are both methodist, both are not "practicing". We were married by a methodist minister. I still consider myself catholic because I don't know what else to call myself. Catholic guilt prevents me from admitting I may be agnostic - but maybe that's what I am. I find value in what I know of several religions, so maybe.
I truly believe that if you treat people with respect and acceptance it will come back to you again and again. It's worked for me so far.
My feelings are based on impressions and memories of how people treat others and have been treated, but I can't quote bible verses and have not bothered to research the bible to learn why (some) catholics behave the way they do.
These posts have been very interesting and informative.
I agree with Paul in that the Old Testament especially, is about context and relating the situations to the time and place they were used and written.
Having said that, I don't understand how religious leaders pick and choose what to obey and what not to obey. Why do they condemn homosexuality as so horrible, using the book of Leviticus in the Old Testament, when a few verses over, the bible condones slavery? How does one reconcile that?
I've always wondered that...
Nrdgrrl