| Dear 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 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. 21:20 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.
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. 21:20 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.
| Author unknown (circa 2000) |
| www.snopes.com/politics/religion/drlaura.asp |
![Coming Out [Human Rights Campaign]](images/comingout_hrc.gif)
| The Complete Book of Leviticus |
| . |
| TOM MIHAIL, PH.D. |