Posted on 11/11/2002 1:30:40 PM PST by I_Love_My_Husband
DIALOGUE ON LEVITICUS
From: Elizabeth
Elizabeth: I recently read in Citizen magazine (published by Focus on the Family) that you tear out pages of Bibles because of verses you find offensive to your homosexual lifestyle. . . .
Sir Ian: I'll let slide the slur that my God-given sexuality is a mere lifestyle, and say yes, I do remove the page containing Leviticus 18:22 where it is asserted that "To lie with a man as with a woman is an abomination." I know there is some confusion amongst you Christians as to what an abomination is, but it sounds abominable to me and I resent it. I don’t want those words near me at bedtime -- they don’t relax me. It seems that Gideons provide their Bibles as a gift. Not looking them in the mouth, I always leave the rest of the Bible for the next occupant of the hotel room. Sometimes strongly-held beliefs disconnect. Much as I abhor censorship, the Leviticus verse on which you presumably base your own disaffection for people like me makes, you will appreciate, a poor bed-fellow in a lonely hotel room. . . .
Elizabeth: I'm a Catholic Christian and believe what the Bible teaches. Catholic Christian theologians disagree about what the Bible teaches re: homosexuality. While it isn't my place to tell you what to do with your personal life, I believe you have no right to defile something sacred to Christians all around the world just because you don't agree with its teaching. . . .
Sir Ian: I promise you I feel much more strongly about the Bible's homophobia than you could ever feel about my defiling it. . . .
Elizabeth: I strongly believe that homosexuality is wrong because it is God's truth, which cannot be erased or altered. I would never try to deny anyone their free will; you chose your lifestyle and I do not challenge that. But I doubt you would like it if I went around tearing up books promoting homosexuality. . . .
Sir Ian: Exactly - that's why Section 28 should be repealed. It censors what UK schoolchildren may read or talk about in the classroom. . . .
Elizabeth: The Bible happens to be more than just a book; it is the Living Word of God. Do you think that what is said in Leviticus about homosexuality just doesn't apply to life anymore? Is that why you tear out the pages you don't agree with! The teachings that God has set up are still true and always will be. . . .
Sir Ian: The history of your church is the history of how the world changes. Re-interpretation of the Bible is part of it. As an atheist I don't accept the Bible is the word of a non-existent God. And as for the laws of the land (so often based on Judaeo/Christianity) I prefer the view of Thomas Jefferson quoted on the wall of his memorial in Washington DC:
"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in law and constitution, but laws and institutions go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind . . . We might as well require a man to wear the same coat as fitted him when a boy."
Elizabeth: I don't know if you'll even read this, or if it makes any difference to you what a 14-year-old kid thinks. All I wish to say is that I'm disappointed. Well you know now. . . .
Sir Ian: That you are 14 and thoroughly indoctrinated in anti-gay rhetoric makes me unhappy. . . .
Elizabeth: "The Lord of the Rings" is a great movie, but the thing that made it really come alive for me was the actors and actresses that played their parts so well. You were one of the best. If what I have said offends you, I offer my sincerest apologies. If what was said in Citizen magazine was untrue, then please forgive me and completely disregard this letter. You are in my prayers.
Sir Ian: I am glad you enjoy the movie. As for being offended etc. consider this -- we can argue and disagree about your beliefs without hurting you because worthwhile beliefs should be open to question and challenge. But my sexuality is not a belief. I did not decide to become gay as you decided to join or remain in the Church. Your views about me do hurt. You can stop being a Catholic (at least a homophobic one) and still be yourself. I can't stop being gay. Is that really an abomination?
But you can stop practicing your unhealthy and unholy sexual practices. There is no condemnation for the non-practicing homosexual. We love the sinner and hate the sin. The sin is not being born with human frailties, but to indulge them.
So yes, it is an abomination.
Well, actually, no I cannot.
Isn't it interesting that God used the same language in describing a lie about market exchanges as He did to describe a lie about one's "sexual orientation?" A homosexual is lying about what God made him or her, and the recurrent use of the term "abomination," far from trivializing the offense, elevates it to the highest form of idolatry---lying about who God is vs. who man is.
Oh, you will the moment after you draw your last breath, Bub.
And you are living your life accordingly. But that does not mean it is not wrong. "There is a way which seems right to a man, the ends thereof are death."
Great actor, though. Excellent Gandalf. Don't know how impressed God will be, but, nevertheless....
Gandalf the Gay.
Ah, well. Knowing now that the man can be so childish, I may not appreciate the LotR movies as much. But I should have no problem accepting him as Magneto from now on, or any other comic book villain he wants to portray.
To consider Gandalf Tolkien's "Christ figure" is a gross oversimplification of Tolkien's work. But I agree with the gist of your assertion.
And I, for one, will still greatly enjoy the Lord of The Rings movies, Gandalf being completely separate in my mind from Ian McKellen (for whom I will pray).
You are a credit to your faith.
USA TODAY.com (AP): "U.S. SYPHILIS RATE RISES FOR FIRST TIME IN DECADE" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Syphilis is on the rise in the United States for the first time in more than a decade, largely because of outbreaks among gay and bisexual men in several big cities, the government reported Thursday. The trend suggests a potential resurgence in transmission of the AIDS virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said." (103102)
As an atheist I don't accept the Bible...
Hmmm.
Not sure I understand.
You're a queer as a result of the hand of God, but you're an atheist, so you don't believe in God, ergo, you ain't queer or...something...I guess.
Whatever.
I really don't care why you think you're a queer, Mr McKellan, just keep it to yourself and stay away from the children.
This is astonishingly well put and bears repeating, studying, and "unpacking" further. Do you have sources or references which back up this theory? I would be very interested in pursuing this line of reasoning further. Thanks, Cosmo, for an excellent post....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.