Is homosexuality an abomination?

This 'letter to Dr. Laura' (Schlessinger) was doing the rounds in emails in the 2000's. It is still very timely and makes a good read. I reproduce it here off Snopes.


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.

Letter to Aubrey - from Oma

This is the letter I read on the day we buried our granddaughter Aubrey’s ashes on the McLaughlin’s farm in a beautiful spot overlooking Georgian Bay.

May 13, 2017

To my dear Aubrey Elizabeth,

I was so grateful to be able to hold you for those 10 minutes on the day we got to see you.
It reminded me of the ancient Jewish prayer of thanksgiving: If only I can hold you for ten minutes, it will be enough… But of course it was not enough. As I was trying to imprint your features on my memory I couldn’t help thinking of what we would miss – you growing up, celebrating your milestones with you, seeing you smile, run, play. Since then I have been wondering what your relationships with your brother and cousins would have been like. I have tried to imagine what you would look like – that combination of McLaughlin and McCann characteristics that would make you uniquely you and at the same time seeing the similarities that make you visibly part of our extended families.

But those 10 minutes were enough for me to love you with an intensity and clarity that maybe only comes when time is so short. It helped me to understand that your place in the family will never be filled by somebody else. That spot is yours and you will be forever loved and never forgotten.

Love,
Oma.

Aubrey Elizabeth McCann - February 10, 2017

Does God take care of climate change?

Right-wing Social-Conservative Christian Extremist: If there really is such a thing as global warming, God will take care of it.

God: I sent you floods; I sent you drought; I sent you scientists and now I send you Pope Francis.

What Pope Francis (himself a chemical scientist) wants to tell us regarding climate change:

1. Climate change is real, and it's getting worse.
2. Human beings are a major contributor to climate change.
3. Climate change disproportionately affects the poor.
4. We can and must make things better.
5. Individuals can help, but politicians must lead the charge.

This is a Time article from two years ago. It is more timely than ever with the Trump Administration pulling out of the Paris Accord.

The 5 Most Important Points of Pope Francis's Climate Change Encyclical

Pope Francis on June 13, 2015 in Vatican City. Franco Origlia—Getty Images