We were at the dog park when it happened. When you have something in common with people, in this case dogs, strangers are usually quite willing to strike up a conversation. We had walked over to a bench in a shady corner of the park when a couple in their mid-60s strolled up to watch their Portuguese water dog play with our retriever, Noah.
We started talking about dogs, but one thing led to another and the topic turned to the oil spill and the government. My first instinct was to stick to dog talk and avoid politics with that pair, but Trish decided to engage them. The man quickly announced that he was a ‘religious conservative’ and that the liberals were destroying the country, that Obama was pushing socialism, intent on taking money from the rich, etc, etc.
Trish took after him, asking if he and his wife collected social security and took advantage of medicare. Yes, they did, and apparently saw no conflict in their beliefs and their actions.
The husband and wife became increasingly outspoken about their religious belief that only the faithful followers of Jesus would be saved, that the rapture was coming. “But you’re condemning billions of people,” I said.
“I’m not condemning them,” he answered. “They have a chance to be saved. Read the book, read the book.”
I suggested that the God in the bible, especially the old testament, was wrathful at times, and that the bible was written and re-written over centuries by PEOPLE. The couple vehemently disagreed. It was the word of God and a benevolent God, at that. Not like the Muslim’s God, who provoked terrorism.
“Do you think Obama is the anti-Christ?” I asked to see how far they were willing to stretch their beliefs.
The wife responded. “Oh, no.” The husband quickly followed up: “But he knows him. You can be sure of that. He’s alive now, after all.” (Hm, maybe it’s Bo, the Obama’s Portuguese water dog.
Read the book, it’s all there,” the man repeated before we parted ways.
Something about these people disturbed me, beyond what they were saying. There was something familiar about them. Then, as we started to walk away, the woman turned to me and said: “You know, you are our yoga teacher.”
Oh, my god, these people were in my Wednesday evening class. That’s where I knew them from. They’d come to several classes, always parking themselves in the far right rear corner of the room. There were usually 20 or more people in the room and it was dimly lit. So I hadn’t recognized them. They did their best in class. The man, in particular, was stiff and now I realized he was as inflexible in his mind as he was in his body. (Synchronicity or cause and effect? ) When I mentioned to Trish who they were, she responded, “So what!”
My next yoga class arrived and there they were. All I could think, when I looked in their direction, was the man saying: “Read the book.”
Now, here comes the synchronicity. In the aftermath of that encounter, we received an e-mail from a friend that was literally filled with bible quotes. We were being nudged to read the book. But wait a minute. Who wrote these verses, anyhow–God? If so, she just might be crazy. Take a look for yourselves.
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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
(It would be a damn shame if we couldn’t own a Canadian 🙂
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God winks. And, oh, how tempting it is to bring a copy of that e-mail to yoga class and tell the couple. Guess what? I’ve been reading the book. – R