Gay marriage & homosexuality --> Food For Thought

On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger 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 response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, written by a US man, and posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as thought-provoking and 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 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 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 - Lev.15: 19-24. 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 - Lev.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, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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?

10. 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'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,
Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia
PS (It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian.)"

Exodus International Leaders Apologize

The group in which I was involved in Philadelphia - Harvest Ministries - is an ex-gay ministry that spews lies, hate, and rejection. They muddy the waters of faith and mislead people to a place where they have little faith left many times, people leave the church and their faith behind, and live unhappy lives believing that God hates them because they're gay. I'm evermore empowered to witness others learning what I have learned: God is MUCH bigger than we give him credit for. God cannot be boxed into the corners and Pandora's Boxes we make in our myopic churches. These people in this video are apologizing for lies and hate that they proliferated through Exodus International, an organization that they started and continues today.

NYC Pride Weekend

NYC Pride weekend is almost here!! Can't believe that the summer's just started and I feel like it's almost over. That's what happens around Pride with me for some strange reason.

There are a few things going on this Friday night. There's a dance at the LGBT Center on 13th (which we might go to), and then Blowoff, which starts around 11:30 PM. We went to Blowoff in DC a couple of weeks ago, and it was good, but folks left early to go to another party. We're planning on going to Blowoff this weekend, and maybe also the Center dance. Depends on how we feel and who's with us.

On Saturday evening, we're going on the Musclebears cruise around Manhattan (it's almost sold out!!) from Pier 40. It costs $25 and there's a ("free") dinner buffet with a cash bar (decent beer - that's what I'll be drinking). The cruise goes from about 6:00 to 10:30PM and is always LOTS of fun. Then we'll probably head to Ty's.

Then on Sunday, we typically do the parade in the Village with friends. This year, we're going to an annual brunch with friends first, then heading down to Rockbar and/or Ty's (which is harder to get to during the parade). We might hit the street fair afterward, but it truly depends on the weather, the heat, and the humidity. Looking forward to the weekend, though. Lots of friends getting together and hanging out and dancing. Should be FUN!

Is Overstock.com a Mormon Company?

Matthew and I have been on a search to find out some of the political and religious slants of Overstock.com. They are an online powerhouse. Though we have purchased things from them in the past, we haven't bought anything from them after realizing that they're based in Utah, home of the Mormon church (The Church of "Jesus Christ" of Latter Day Saints).

We've done searches on the SF Gate database for companies and employees of companies contributed money to the campaigns supporting and opposing California's Proposition 8. Here are the names of the three people on record as working for Overstock.com who helped fund Prop 8. Notice that they weren't afraid of entering their employer on the information; i.e. they didn't stand on their own, but mentioned their employer.



Prop 8, for those who aren't familiar, is the proposition in California a couple of years ago that banned same-sex marriages, although for a short period of time, same-sex marriages in CA were legal. Basically, Prop 8 allowed people to vote to discriminate and deny people their civil rights, which they already had.

Here's an email that Matthew sent them last night and their response:

Matthew: "Is Overstock.com a predominately, Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owned and operated company? I know that it is a public corporation - but what about the leadership and the board?"

Overstock: "Hello Matthew, Thank you for contacting Overstock.com regarding weather we are a predominately, Morman (spelled wrong!! and they're in Utah!) Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owned and operated company. I appreciate the opportunity to assist you today. Let me reassure you that we are a diverse company, we are not predominately Morman. Overstock.com does not sponsor, support, or endorse the views and opinions of any political party, organization, personality, or issue. We simply provide a great selection of quality merchandise at deep discounts. It is our desire to allow vendors the opportunity to display items on our site that provide discounted products for the benefit of all our customers. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance on this or any other issue. I hope you will visit us soon for great savings on name-brand products. Sincerely, Lance H.
Customer Care
Overstock.com"

Questions to everyone reading this:

1) Is Overstock.com a Mormon company?

2) Would you buy things from Overstock.com, knowing that at least 3 employees proudly sent in almost $600 toward a hate-driven proposition denying people their civil right and reversing a law?

3) How many companies have you ever boycotted for less? (We boycotted Whole Foods for about 6-9 months because of the CFO's statements against health care reform, and Sonoma County - wine - because of the County's harsh and illegal treatment of the elderly gay couple in nursing homes)

4) What impact does boycotting have ultimately in your opinion?