[Vision2020] unequivocal words of God

Sat, 23 Aug 2003 23:03:17 +0000

Visionaries:

Thanks for your post, Sharon.  Of course if all these biblical quotes are 
put into the proper context and interpreted correctly, there is no 
contradiction or relativistic problem.  And really the bible does not 
require interpretation by a human mind, this might imply relativism and the 
possibility of human error, so... never mind.

I wonder why so many people find the debates on religion and ethics to be so 
tiring and annoying, they are debates that go on "ad nauseum."  Is not 
Moscow debating growth, either "smart" growth, or otherwise, on and on?  
Taxes, public schools, homosexual rights, and the correct interpretation of 
the US Constitution, do not all these issues involve debates that go on and 
on here on V2020?  The human race has debated all these issues in one form 
or another on and on for centuries, and will for centuries into the future, 
if we avoid extinction.

But when we examine the deep structure of the derivation of our ethical 
rules, the impassioned biases that underpin the disagreements, the spiritual 
or logical or empirical assumptions, suddenly these debates are "ad 
nauseum," a waste of time, some imply.

No wonder the world is racing towards a future of uncertain and perilous 
ends.  People around the world appear to resist examining the fundamental 
questions that if answered even partially might offer the human race a way 
to avoid the global environmental and militaristic crises the future may 
bring.  Consider the suggestion that major world religions emphasize a 
common spiritual ethical thread that could lessen hatred between religions, 
rather than adopting a polarized and dogmatic stance.  If a fundamental 
issue such as this is a waste of time (yes, with the problems of relativism 
vs. God's word), what guidelines does the world follow as we head into a 
future of potential biosphere destruction and disastrous solutions to human 
conflict based on violence and force?  Religion certainly is a dominant 
influence in determining the ethics of most of the people on earth, whether 
someone likes it or not.

With human induced biosphere degradation, and powerful militaristic 
technology increasingly at the disposal of many nations and extremist 
groups, if an ethics is not widely adopted to lessen ideological extremism, 
in killing as a solution to human conflict, and increase peaceful 
cooperation among the world's peoples and nations, well, you do the math, as 
they say.

"Ad nauseum" debates, perhaps not for long, for if they do not lead to some 
solution to hatred and war and destruction of the biosphere, they may not 
impose ennui much longer.

Ted

>From: Sharon Sullivan <herbals@moscow.com>
>To: vision2020@moscow.com
>Subject: [Vision2020] unequivocal words of God
>Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 14:06:32 -0700
>
>Visionaries,
>         The following is a reprint of a column from Hip Mama magazine, 
>issue #23.  I couldn't resist in light of the continuing debate, ad 
>nauseum, of relativism vs. God's word .  Perhaps you will enjoy, perhaps 
>not...depending on your perspective, of course!
>Sharon Sullivan
>
>"An Open Letter to Dr. Laura Schlessinger:
>Dear Dr. Laura,
>         Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's law. 
>  I have learned a great deal from you, and I 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 him 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 specific laws and how to best 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.  How should I deal with this?
>         I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as it suggests 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 buy slaves from the nations that are 
>around us.  A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not 
>Canadians.  Can you clarify?
>         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 
>abomination (Lev. 10:10) it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality.  I 
>don't agree.  Can you settle this?
>         Leviticus 20:20 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?
>         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."
>
>
>
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