OK, thanks for the reply.
I have only one question, though. (A 'two parter', I'm afraid:)
Do you believe in and follow ALL of the Biblical precepts (even the ones which appear contradictory on their face)... or do you do what most people do: pick and choose what you consider the most important and morally useful parts to believe in and strive to interpret and follow them in our modern world; and ignore the multitude of contradictory or obscure or 'antiquated' parts... thus taking your Religion 'a la carte', as with most people?
A good test: do you give everything that is written between the covers the same weight... and everything in all the translations, and redacted versions down the centuries... or are only the original Aramaic sources significant to you?
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Getting down to more particulars, a strict interpretation of Scripture, and belief in following ALL it's prescripts, could lead to a few questions, for example, when was the last time you went down to The Gap to stone customers as they came out who had bought garments made with two different types of thread?
A few other interesting questions, crying out for interpretation:
1. 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?
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. 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)
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7.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?
8. 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?
9. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual cleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
10. 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? |
