which was originally sent to the odious "Dr." Laura Schlessinger in 2002:

Dear Representative Gipson:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you, 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 an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

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?

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?

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.

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?

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?

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?

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?

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 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?

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.

Please do not stone me to death - but - I will "borrow" this!!

http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2002/WhyCantIOwnACanadian_10-02.html

that use the bible to defend their homophobia.

It never gets old.

The name 'Pigskin' is probably from the use of a pig bladder (obviously pre rubber/plastic) to hold the air. This was then covered in a leather 'skin'.

That means you can go play football all you want and not worry about the unclean thing.


As to the other rules - I think you can get away with just throwing the football at you repug neighbors when they work on the sabbath and tell then that they are lucky since you technically ought to stone them.

Well, now that I have shared some of my useless knowledge, I'm off to break some biblical laws. I wonder if I can convince my dad to sell my sister...

These guys are happily doubling down. I have a sneaking suspicion that they will continue doing so. That may help Dems in the Fall. Certainly moderates won't want Congress critters who want gays to be killed.

Go ahead douchery. Make our day.

He can't justify his position with the bible, as is pointed out in that great letter referenced in reply #1.

for something someone says or does in the name of religion?
You may think he can't justify it but there are millions of "good Christians" in this country that think he can.

I wish I was as optimistic as many here that they won't be kept in office and others like him elected, but I remember the 2010 election.

to further their own personal goals and misuse it to spread hate and bigotry. Or not.

I share your concerns about getting these kinds of people out of office. However, I am more optimistic and believe the tide is turning.

For the same reason we can't blame freedom for what someone does or says in the name of freedom. Despots and bigots and politicians do it regularly. The world is full of nutjobs who go off the reservation.

is a non-sequitor.
Freedom does not prescribe behavior or command it's adherents to think and act in a certain way. Religion does.
And when a majority of a religion believes in a certain way, Southern Baptist for instance, it wouldn exactly be going off the reservation, it IS the reservation.

To condemn a Muslim or Hindu for the actions of a SB is ridiculous. Might as well just blame humanity. Broad brush attacks resolve nothing, but they sure as hell fuel the fires of discord.

Religions teach their followers many things. Only the most extreme fundies follow all instructions found in the Bible, Torah or Koran. Not too many stonings going on these days.

Not the fringe out-liers you want to push them off.
No one said all, just that many belong to the extremes.
Or do you think the teachings of most Christian denominations (Catholics, SB, evangelicals, etc..) on Gay Marriage and birth control isn't regressive.
I think it is only our secular laws that prevent stoning these days.

and the vigilance of people who constantly defend against attacks on them, and attempts to impose religious values by governmental fiat, that all sorts of ugly things are prevented.

right talking about other countries until we clean up our own house...

... as soon as every Christian lives his everyday-life according to the bible.

* circumcision
* no pig-meat ever
* no shrimps, lobster or crabs ever
* balming your hair every day with olive-oil
* not sitting on a chair, if a woman earlier sat on it while she was menstruating
* putting your wife to death, if she wasn't a virgin when you married her
...

If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman...

Interesting concept!?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/18/jack-conkling-teacher-writes-being-gay-just-like-being-a-murderer_n_1527608.html

"In his post, Conkling comments on gay marriage, writing that homosexuality "ranks in God's eyes the same as murder, lying, stealing, or cheating.""

But it's not about religion, because EVERY Christian doesn't feel that way. Only someone in a position of authority with children. And he says it is because his God says it is so in the Bible, so let's just say he is not a true Christian and not worry about what religions teach.