Intolerance

A letter worth posting in today's Lex H-L from Mr. Mike Veirs of Stamping Ground.

The Nov. 2 election revealed a continuing increase in public intolerance toward opposing attitudes and behaviors, and the acceptance of personal belief over rational thought.

The United States, a world leader in acceptance of diverse opinions since the 1960s, now seems on the precipice of a return to religious, cultural and even ethnic intolerance. The presidential election seemed a dramatic clash of tolerance versus McCarthyism with the reversionary elements winning by a narrow margin.

Important were the increasing numbers of votes decided by emotional issues instead of reasoned, measurable debate. Issues such as federal spending and the necessity of conflict seemed to fade in importance to gay issues, gun laws and religious beliefs.

Are elections in the future to be decided by pure belief or debatable, arguable issues? Is the United States to return to the insular days of the 1950s, with intolerance to diversity, jail for those with unpopular beliefs, and suspicion of others? The November election may be the harbinger of a new Cold War, but this time the enemy is divergent beliefs and those with the indiscretion to believe something other than what the majority deems acceptable.

We do seem to be getting hijacked by the religious right, where the ideology of the few are forcing out tolerance & respect. Case in point, the gay marriage debate. In my humble opinion, marriage should be separated between the church and state. The state should grant civil unions to all and the church should do the marrying. If a same-sex couple can find a church to marry them in the eyes of God, great. Then, a part of our populace won't be treated as second-class citizens in terms of legal rights. You know, the idea that all men are created equal with certain unalienable rights.

The below has been circulating on the forward front, but I haven't found anything that locates the origin of this "letter", be it in text or by author. But, it made me laugh out loud since I've basically been saying the same thing to the homophobes that populate my workplace.

Dear President Bush,
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 other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them:
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may 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 to 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. 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?
4. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states that he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
5. 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? Are there "degrees" of abomination?
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. 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?
9. 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 and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Robin L. Spanier