Religious Guidance For Modern Times
The next time that you hear someone condemn homosexuality, masturbation, abortion, contraception or anything else on the grounds that "it is against God's Law as laid down in the Bible", try asking them the following:
a) when I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in the book of Exodus. 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 (Leviticus). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but many take offence.
d) Leviticus states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided that they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that Americans may own Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't they own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obliged 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'm short-sighted. 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 Leviticus 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 2 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 neccessary 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)
k) God often tells us in the Bible to kill sinners, in cases such as the ones above, and yet in the Ten Commandments he says "Thou shalt not kill". Why does he suddenly change his mind like this?
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.