Dr Laura on Gays

Silver Hilton · 03-16-2004, 08:12 PM

A bit of ironic commentary on the gay debate.

On Laura Schlessinger's radio show, 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 response is an open letter to Dr. Laura...

******************************************
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. . 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 am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

An adoring fan

Mr. BrownTrout · 03-16-2004, 08:17 PM

Me personally, if I am having a good day, all I have to do is listen to her for 30 seconds and my day is shot. I can't stand that lady. She talks as if she does no wrong, thats pretty funny coming from a lady who had nude pictures on the internet. But this is just my 2 cents worth.

sparkleboy · 03-16-2004, 09:05 PM

Can't stand her, either.
I don't understand how people enjoy her show. I really don't understand how her callers can face another day after she completely insults and belittles them to the point where I would be driven to phyiscal violence.

happybrew · 03-16-2004, 09:13 PM

I have an explanation sparkleboy: her callers have enormous problems with self-esteem, hence, the problems in their lives. So when she belittles them, they don't recognize it. They think she's just speaking to them like anyone else would.

happybrew

sparkleboy · 03-16-2004, 09:51 PM

Happybrew,
I wish I listened enough to remember an example, but some of the calls I heard her answer were not enormous self esteem problems, and she treated them as if they were a life form other than human.

I remember though, a 16 year old girl calling in, asking her for advice about going on a date with a guy or something, and she gave her a five or so minute lecture on how she should not date until she was 18....
Give me a break, dude.

True · 03-16-2004, 10:13 PM

SH,

Thanks for the laugh! A perfect example how man (or woman in this case) can use the words of God for their own devices. Pick those you can use and forget the ones that are considered outmoded.

Now I can go to sleep with a smile on my face. All is right with the world...

True

TundraIII · 03-17-2004, 06:17 AM

"The DiVinci Code" read it and get a whole new perspective on the story of Jesus and the bible.

ampersat · 03-17-2004, 06:29 AM

Great post SH. I consider my quality of life to be better for never having exposed myself to her show.

Silver Hilton · 03-17-2004, 06:49 AM

I myself have never encountered the show. She sounds like a real prize.

OceanBlue · 03-17-2004, 06:57 AM

My mom used to listen to Dr. Laura all the time on the radio.... until I showed her an article written about Dr. Laura's book. I still get sick to my stomach every time I think about it. In a sense, she was saying women should be slaves to their husbands.

Riverkeeper · 03-17-2004, 06:57 AM

I've had the misfortune to hear her. She is much worse than Simon on American idols.

SH your post reminds me that I need to do a better job of incorporating the word "smite" into my daily vocabulary:
"...then about 1 hour into the tide, a 35lb nate smote my herring..."

Thumper · 03-17-2004, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OceanBlue:
In a sense, she was saying women should be slaves to their husbands.

Uh, isn't that how it's supposed to work? When did those rules change? When I married, I distinctly remember the priest saying that I was to love my wife and she was to obey me.... Is that why I'm no longer married?

Jeez, now you've got me thinking. :whazzup:

Birdnest · 03-17-2004, 07:12 AM

Good post SH. While it's important to know and read the Old Testament, it's more important to appreciate the new covenant that Christ died for. I will give you that even in the New Testament, a person can take verses out of context or fragments, and make a pretty big mess.

I don't pretend to be an expert, but I know that the Bible is a living book that imparts life. This makes it the most unique book in the world. I appreciate your views and I am not trying to offend you, I just felt a need to answer to the "Dr." Laura letter.

Joe

Silver Hilton · 03-17-2004, 07:20 AM

Bird, you never need to worry about offending me. I have many weaknesses, but being thin skinned is not one of them.

Yeah, I think every sensible person gets the point of this, that any book of advice needs to be used with a bit of perspective and common sense. The bible isn't any different.

OceanBlue · 03-17-2004, 07:24 AM

Thumper: :tongue: :grin:

dlgobeavs · 03-17-2004, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Birdnest:
Good post SH. While it's important to know and read the Old Testament, it's more important to appreciate the new covenant that Christ died for. I will give you that even in the New Testament, a person can take verses out of context or fragments, and make a pretty big mess.

I don't pretend to be an expert, but I know that the Bible is a living book that imparts life. This makes it the most unique book in the world. I appreciate your views and I am not trying to offend you, I just felt a need to answer to the "Dr." Laura letter.

Joe

Just curious, but what part of those scriptures were taken out of context? Seems to me to be a prime example of how interpreting the bible is at best a very subjective process.

Question for the group: How do those of you who use the bible as your reason for hating homosexuality reconcile all those other scriptures that are obviously not applicable in today's society? Why is hating homosexuality an acceptable interpretation but these other scriptures are not?

NWRedside · 03-17-2004, 08:02 AM

As a christian, this issue of old testament laws comes up frequently. Do you just flat out ignore the old testament laws, or do you get to pick and choose which ones apply and which ones don't.
In the new testement book of Matthew, Jesus said that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. When you come to know Christ, you realize that the issue isn't if the law applies anymore, it's that we are free from the law. It is impossible to gain salvation by obeying laws...we are all imperfect and in no way can measure up based on our performance. Thus, the reason for Christ's sacrifice and salvation.
So, how does this relate to gay marriage? I believe that the context of the Bible in its entirety is very clear on gay marriage. Marriage is only talked about in the context of one man and one woman. Also, seriously consider anatomy....it tends to clear up a few things.

These type of conversations will be going on until we all meet our maker some day. There will be no ammendments to the Bible made to help us clarify what God really wanted to say to us on some of these "gray" issues. However, remember that our Lord is not confused on this issue, and their is a right stance and a wrong stance. I seriously doubt that God is sitting up there debating this trying to figure out which way to lean....We are the ones confused and wavering.

So how do we know what to think or believe? He gave us His word (the Bible), His spirit, and prayer. I think that if our desire is to know Him and we seek His truth in our hearts these issue become clear. If we simply go to the Bible looking to disprove that marriage is only between a man and a women, then things will at best remain gray

Birdnest · 03-17-2004, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Just curious, but what part of those scriptures were taken out of context?

No where in my post did I say the above verses were out of context.

For the record, you should be careful about making statements like...

Quote:

you who use the bible as your reason for hating homosexuality...

Where did I say I hated homosexuality? Ooops, now I am doing it.

We are ALL sinners and it's not up to me to decide whose sin is greater or how that should be reconciled. That is the beauty of Christ's blood, it is capable washing ANYONE's robe.

Joe

dlgobeavs · 03-17-2004, 08:30 AM

Birdnest-

You are taking my post way too personally. I simply asked a question. You stated "a person can take verses out of context or fragments, and make a pretty big mess." I was hoping for some clarification of which of those exerpts were taken out of context (a word you used).

I also never accused you of hating homosexuals. That question was for the group. I attempted to make that clear by stating "This question is for the group".

[ 03-17-2004, 09:31 AM: Message edited by: dlgobeavs ]

Birdnest · 03-17-2004, 08:45 AM

dlgobeavs,

Not taking it personally, justed wanted to clarify my point. The verses from Leviticus were not taken out of context in the manner I mean. They are from the Old Testament, during an "eye for an eye" and when we were suppose to be living under the Law, which we failed miserably.

As for the clarification you asked for...my words...

Quote:

I will give you that even in the New Testament, a person can take verses out of context or fragments, and make a pretty big mess.

The quote I used from your post was an example of how people can take something out of context or a fragment and preach it as gospel. I don't think you feel that way, just trying to make a point. Even though we are no longer living in an "eye for eye" era, but rather an era of forgiveness, PEOPLE will still take from the New and try to make it Old. I hope that makes some sense.

The only point I want to make on this whole issue is the one I posted above...

Quote:

We are ALL sinners and it's not up to me to decide whose sin is greater or how that should be reconciled. That is the beauty of Christ's blood, it is capable washing ANYONE's robe.

Joe

bllelk · 03-17-2004, 01:27 PM

On another note.

I always wondered why football players were wearing gloves.

Thanks for splaining it, SH.

Silver Hilton · 03-17-2004, 01:29 PM

bllelk, I do my best to shed light on the mysteries of the world.

trollin4trout · 03-17-2004, 03:52 PM

I have listened to Dr. Laura off and on for a few years now. For the record I am not a religous person by any means and I frankly find some of her faith/religous ideas to be totally ignorable as I do many others' similar veiws. I realize some people have this faith thing goin' on and others don't.

But even with all those exceptions, I think the woman is 95% correct on her analysis and corrections of the callers problems.

She is a tireless advocate for kids and abhores the way many have so little respect for them. She knows relationships like the back of her hand and gives sound advice to many who are troubled. Some may think some of her ideas are old fashioned and traditional, but what's wrong with that? She preaches respect for friends, spouses, and families and why is that a bad thing?

Thumper · 03-17-2004, 04:41 PM

What totaly infuriates me about Dr. Laura is her arrogance. To listen to a complex domestic problem from one person's perspective for maybe 22 seconds and then diagnose the situation with total certainty is arrogance in the extreme.

It does a disservice to those who call her. I pity the poor spouses of the callers ---

"Hi honey, I'm home! You called whom :shocked: ?"

[ 03-17-2004, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: Thumper ]