Archive for the 'Religion' Category

Why Can’t I Own a Canadian

I have seen this letter a few times over the past few months, but just came across it again via a StumbleUpon (Thanks PassionatePuppy!). I have no idea whether it’s real or not (too lazy to look at snopes.com), but it has some very interesting points about the bible and all of its contradictions. Here’s the text from PassionatePuppy’s StumbleUpon page:

Why Can’t I Own a Canadian?
October 2002

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It’s funny, as well as informative:

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. 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.

Your devoted fan,
Jim

I must admit I’ve never read the bible (and don’t intend to), but the contradictions I see from most religions is amazing.  There’s a reason I’m not affiliated with any religion - they are all messed up!  I can’t believe their stances on all kinds of issues - homosexuality, abortion, women’s rights, bingo, etc.  I’m just glad I’m a godless heathen.

Inside the Monkeysphere

I just found this great blog post about the “Monkeysphere.”  In his “Pointless Waste of Time” blog, David Wong talks about our incapacity to think of other humans beyond our direct sphere of 150 people.  Based on Darwinian biology, humans are incapable of thinking of other people as individuals beyond the 150 or so people we know directly.  That’s how we can say things like, “Man, I really hate that group of people (insert derogatory term of your choice).”

Basically, the post is a call to stop thinking of people in terms of stereotypes, and try to bring our thinking of people beyond our spheres of influence as individuals.  I’m sure there are plenty of people who think I’m a jerk, but I’ve caught myself ranting about some faceless driver on the highway in a way that I would never even consider if I was sitting across a table from them.

Here’s the link:

Inside the Monkeysphere

Religion

I found this great quote from Beatrix Potter, the creator of the Peter Rabbit stories, on Quotiki:

All outward forms of religion are almost useless, and are the causes of endless strife… Believe there is a great power silently working for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.

This quote does a nice job of summing up my feelings on religion. There have been more wars, violence, and atrocity committed in the name of “religion” than any other driver in history - money, power, or ideology (which is just another word for religion to me). Why can’t people just realize that we’re all basically the same on the inside, and some things should just be kept to yourself!

I also found this quote from Albert Einstein to be right on:

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.

Peace!