[Laura Schlessinger] Dr. Laura Renounces Jewish Orthodoxy

religionnewsblog.com ^ | 08/13/2003 | LISA KEYS

[Destro]

I am not a fan of Dr. Laura's radio show and would rather get root canal than listen to her. This has nothing to do with her views--I just consider it bad and boring radio.

I posted this for Freepers who are like her show. Do not direct any comments about her to me because I know next to nothing about her.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I consider Dr. Laura somewhat disengenous anyway. She conspicuously uses the title "Doctor" as if she's a clinical psychologist/psychiatrist when her doctorate degree is in secondary education. She likes to chide her listeners about "shacking up" when she was recently living with a guy for seven years without being married. I listened to her show for a few months and got tired of it. It got boring and repetitious.

[truthkeeper]

"I never got great applause from my work from the Jewish community — but my people are my people, whether they love or hate me."

Amen. What a sad and poignant article. I'm only an occasional listener and I missed this. Thanks very much for posting it.

It appears Laura's search for the meaning of life will continue on another path, in another place. I wish her well.

[truthkeeper]

Pinging ya

[Paul Atreides]

author Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Dang!

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

ping

[JoeSchem]

Just a little note, at the outset, it's impossible for people to comment on an article unless they address the poster of the article. So by refusing comments, you're kind of rejecting the whole purpose of FR.

[Radix]

Is this from the Onion?

 

I also know just a little bit about Dr. Laura. She was railroaded off of the local radio station by activists liberals as I understand the situation.

 

I think that expressing religious beliefs while being involved in media, indicates an absence of judgment. It could be career ending. Sometimes it is fun to watch others do it though such as Senator Kerry (my state) actually criticizing the Pope last week. That was an indicator of his having a political death wish.

[Destro]

Sorry--I meant don't direct any comments my way in search of answers back in regards to this subject, not out of rudeness but because I am ignorant on the subject at hand. All can direct any and all comments to me or pass on info to others.

[Straight Vermonter]

Wrong. Her degree is in physiology. She is a certified marriage, family, and child counselor.

[mombonn]

Discussion on this subject has been ongoing for the past several day. "Search" will provide considerable food for thought.

[Catspaw]

Schlessinger began her program last Tuesday by noting that, prior to each broadcast, she spends an hour reading faxes from fans and listeners. "By and large the faxes from Christians have been very loving, very supportive," she said. "From my own religion, I have either gotten nothing, which is 99% of it, or two of the nastiest letters I have gotten in a long time. I guess that's my point — I don't get much back. Not much warmth coming back."

How sad that she chooses to reject her religion by the faxes her fans and listeners send her. It would seem her committment--or lack thereof--to Judaism is predicated on her fan base.

[muir_redwoods]

Still, it's over-reaching to use the term "Doctor" outside of a medical/clinical or university setting. I know she earned it, and she's not the only one, but it's still kind of crass.

[lelio]

Received a funny email today that's a form letter addressed to Doctor Laura:

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 this 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 apply them.

1. 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?

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 unseemliness-Lev. 15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. 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?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 3:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

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?

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 a garment 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 shone 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. Thanks you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan,
Jim

[RLK]

"I think Judaism is better off not being saddled and directly associated with Dr. Laura's means," he said, adding, "although she is still a Jew."

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It's the other way around. Dr. Laura is better off not being saddled with Judaism. Judaism and Jews have long tended toward the direction of the Episcopal church and Marxism. Jews and Jdaism tend to chase the latest fad in both an attempt to be fashionable and in the belief that if the ludicrous is acceptable they are building a society in which Jews and Judaism will not be subjected to criticism.<p. It used to irk me that when playboy Hugh Hefner was selling his Playboy Philosophy he did so with the support of panels of rabbis.

[RLK]

I consider Dr. Laura somewhat disengenous anyway. She conspicuously uses the title "Doctor" as if she's a clinical psychologist/psychiatrist when her doctorate degree is in secondary education.

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Her doctorate is in areas of physiology. Your comments lead me to believe there is a toruch in you of what you are trying to smear her with.

[RLK]

Wrong. Her degree is in physiology. She is a certified marriage, family, and child counselor.

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Correct. She also went back for graduate study in the counseling area.

[Destro]

One of the funniest things I have ever read!

[RLK]

It would seem her committment--or lack thereof--to Judaism is predicated on her fan base.

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Not necessarily. When you get consisten irrational criticism from a group of people it's time to realize your philosopy is at odds with that groups. Therefore, go ye from among them and be ye separate.