By Shirley Howland
In regard to the letter by Danielle Holliday published Nov. 11; for some reason beyond my kin, supporters of prejudice and hate keep citing the Bible as their irrefutable source about why homosexuals should not be allowed their rights as human beings.
But the Bible was written over 2,000 years ago by many different authors who often contradicted each other, and themselves. It seems Leviticus had more than one reason to think people were an “abomination” and should be “put to death.” Even in the same chapter, but in three different verses he says, in the English Standard version: Leviticus 20:9, “For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.” And Leviticus 20:10 “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” Also Leviticus 20:13, “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death.”
I wonder why so-called Christians consider only one of these verses to be appropriate for today”s world?
Leviticus wasn”t the only biblical author who would punish our modern population with death: Deuteronomy 22:20-1 … “if …. the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father”s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die.”
Now really ? do you want to deny the humanity of most of the population of the United States today because they don”t live up to 2,000-year-old morals?
If we”re going to pick and choose which parts of the Bible to follow, there”s even a more thought-provoking argument against bigotry, Luke 6:31, King James Version: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” aka The Golden Rule … it”s a part of nearly every religion on earth. Why doesn”t the Religious Right follow it?
Shirley Howland
Clearlake
