Sauce for the Goose

A few days ago I watched a documentary film called Constantine's Sword, featuring James Carroll, an American author and journalist who had been a Roman Catholic priest, but who had subsequently left the priesthood, married and had children. He himself was the son of a United States airforce general, who had not been at all pleased to hear his son and heir denounce the Vietnam war almost as soon as he got into the pulpit.

To my mind, Carroll's most striking statement in the whole film came when he observed that had the American airforce been dropping condoms on Vietnamese villages, all the Catholic bishops in America would have risen up to denounce such wickedness and to demand that it cease forthwith. But as the airforce was only dropping napalm on the Vietnamese themselves, the response from the hierarchy was restrained, to say the least.

We seem to see something similar whan it comes to homosexuality in Africa - just to take one example. Bishops north of the South African Republic appear to be enthusiasically endorsing the most draconian punishments for homosexuals, supporting the idea that the attempt to decriminalise their behaviour would be criminal in itself, and making no protest against government plans to punish those who fail to dob in their gay friends and relations. And all for Jesus.

When it comes to God's Word Written, I cannot help noticing a certain subjectivity shown by many bible readers. The matter of divorce is just one example. Luke and Mark refuse to consider it, and Matthew permits it in one situation only, as does St Paul - although he chooses a different situation. The apparent contradiction here should be enough to give us pause, but it seems not.

In the Anglican Church here in New Zealand we happily remarry devorcees virtually on demand, irrespective of whether their previous spouses have been unfaithful (Matthew) unbelievers (Paul) or neither. And despite the damage to the family and society which this rather relaxed attitude to divorce and remarriage can hardly be said to help, only the Roman Catholic Church tries to obey the clear words of scripture, and then only with the safety net of annulment for those with the time and money required.

But if we are going to be so particular about faithful and lifelong same-sex partnerships, shouldn't we be a bit more particular about the remarriage of the divorced too - or have I missed something here?

Perhaps you have already seen the following response to Dr Laura Schlesinger, an observant Orthodox Jew, who said in her radio show that homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The response came as an open letter to Dr Schlesinger which was posted on the Internet.

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 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.

1. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 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 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. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Leviticus 1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. 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, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Leviticus 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Leviticus 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?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Leviticus 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 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? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws?

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,

James M. Kauffman, Ed.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at the University of Virginia.