Monday, June 26, 2006

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 crates 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.

Thursday, June 1, 2006

It's been a while.
I started a new job on 5/22...one that I absolutely adore.   is tiny now, but look for it in the next few years to take off.  I love working with start-up companies, and I couldn't have asked for a better place to work.  Not to mention a heck of lot more in pay and benefits and other perks
And last weekend--great times, great times.  Except for the rope swing incident (see my myspace for the details on THAT one), all was fantastic.
But I'm on my soapbox again, and it's an issue that keeps coming back around, but one in which i CANNOT begin to understand.
I understand that we live in south Alabama, which puts us in the heart of the Bible belt.  I get it.  I understand that this area of the country is chock-full of conservative republicans--got that, too.  But what I fail to understand is how ANYONE can blur the lines between church and state the way it's been done here.  Take Roy Moore, for example.  His ENTIRE platform for governor is the idea of Christian values and idealogy. The idea of the "Christian" views on marriage, abortion, and other hot button issues.  yeah, more power to you, Mr. Moore.  But what if half the state were Buddhist?  Muslim?  Jewish?  Agnostic?  Educated? 
I do not understand how politicians--especially today--can so blatantly ignore the Constitution of the United States, which clearly states that that the Constitution delegates no power to government over religious affairs, and that the First Amendment explicitly prohibits the government from establishing or controlling religion. The effect of this arrangement is to leave Americans free to worship, believe, and support religion as they see fit. Additionally, we believe that separation deprives government of its ability to coerce adherence to religion, or to compel the support of religion against an individual's will.
FREE TO WORSHIP AS THEY SEE FIT.  I understand that there are wide arrays of beliefs, even beliefs within beliefs, but to impose YOUR beliefs on other is against the very foundation of the US Constitution. Why does no one say anything or call this to light?  Why are we so accepting of political commercials advertising "conservative Christian values"?  "Christian" has no place in a political campaign! Nor does any other religion!  Education, criminal record, contribution to society--fine.  Religion?  No place for it.
Welcome to the dark ages.