Read your bible lately?
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a US radio personality. Recently, she said that as an observant Orthodox Jew,
homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 & cannot be condoned under any
circumstances. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a
US resident, J. Kent Ashcraft, 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 laws and how to best follow
them.
a) 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?
b) 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?
c) 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.
d) 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?
e) 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?
f) 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?
g) Lev 21:16-20 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?
h) 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) 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?
j) 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.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.