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[archived 2001-03-04]
Dear Dr. Laura
The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura which was posted on the
internet...
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 I 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 him
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 specific biblical laws and how to best follow them.
Specifically:
- 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?
- 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 neighbouring
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 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?
- 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
flexibility 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.
Background
For those of you who may not be aware of the recent controversy in
North America that has to do with Laura Schlessinger: she is a radio
personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her show.
Paramount Television Group is currently producing a "Dr. Laura"
television show. Recently she has become a convert to Judaism, and now
she is Ba'al T'shuvah. Recently, she has made some statements about
homosexuals that has caused the Canadian anti-hate laws to censure her.
Responses to this usually argue that it's the old testament being
quoted, and that such rules were largely negated by the new testament.
However, the issue of what kind of deity would ever have instantiated
such intolerant and draconian rules to being with is never addressed,
despite the fact that most could be creatively rationalized, as
religions in most other cases has been so apt to do.
It should be noted of course, that this excuse would not seem to apply
to Dr. Laura herself, due to her Judaist leanings.
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