There are plenty of people who use this verse or that to support their own point of view. Ignoring the totality of its message, they say "The Bibile says........." Usually they are discussing how OTHER PEOPLE "ought" to behave. I call this selective literalism. Here is an satirical example:
>> 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
an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an
abomination according to the Old
> Testament, 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.
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 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 smell for the Lord - Leviticus 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 not allowed to have contact
with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual cleanliness - Leviticus
15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but
most women take offense.
4. Leviticus 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?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the
Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states she should be put to death. Am I
morally obligated to kill her myself?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating
shellfish is an abomination - Leviticus 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
7. Leviticus 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 cut, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by the bible, in Leviticus 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Leviticus 11:6-9 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 Leviticus 19:19 by planting
two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of threads (cotton and
polyester blend). He also tends to curse a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town to stone them? - Leviticus 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? Leviticus
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 fan,
Marty