I do not wish to argue with anyone's beliefs. I personally think the church
has the right to ban gay marriages. It is after all "their" church. I do not
believe the state has the same right. After all it is not "their" state. The
church gives married couples certain right in accord with their standing as
a married couple. So does the state. Where the church may withhold this
legal status from gay union the state may not. No one is looking for special
rights they only seek the same rights that are granted other couples that
have legalized their union. (In fact straight couples that have not
legalized their union have it done for them by common law, i.e. common law
marriage.)
/RANT
However, what really got me to respond was the quote from Leviticus. Let me
start by saying the quote is correct. However this is one of a multitude of
things the Bible forbids. Why did you choose to jump on this one passage? In
chapter Leviticus 11 all of the laws of forbidden food are mentioned, why
don't you chastise eaters of animals that don't split their hooves or chew
their cud, In regard to eating seafood that has no fins or scales it also
says that it is an abomination. (Granted the Hebrew word is different but
from just reading the translation you would not know that. Whether you
translate the word as abomination or as detestable or disgusting the
passages pretty much convey that G-d really really does not like this act.)
So why did you choose that one passage? Don't you believe in these
commandments? Does your religious belief allow you to chose what part of the
Bible you choose to follow?
Even more telling is that you skipped Leviticus chapter 19. This chapter
starts with the words "You shall be holy because I the L-rd your G-d am
Holy." It tells us the laws to help make us holy: making sure the poor don't
go hungry, you shouldn't oppress the weak, withhold his wages when they are
due, judge without bias, not to slander or abuse, not to take vengeance, do
not hate your fellow human, do not bear grudges, treat the stranger with
kindness, treat the new immigrant as a home born citizen.
You did not quote these passages. Don't they help make your case? Don’t they
feed your fears? Don’t they make you feel morally superior?
Understand that I love you as much as I love everyone else, in accord with
the main principle of the Bible, Love your neighbor like yourself. However I
must plead with you do not use that which many of us hold sacred as a club
to beat your enemies. Do not debase the Word of my G-d to justify your
fears, hatreds and pettiness. Leave vengeance to G-d. If you want to emulate
G-d then emulate His Kindness. /RANT
Pray for Peace,
Yosef
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