Say Nay to Gay?

Here’s the bias or bigotry (you pick) of backlash that is attempting to counter the accelerating passage (or judicial affirmation) of gay rights in America: “In New Mexico, a photographer declined to take pictures of a lesbian couple’s commitment ceremony. In Washington State, a florist would not provide flowers for a same-sex wedding. And in Colorado, a baker refused to make a cake for a party celebrating the wedding of two men.

“The business owners cited religious beliefs in declining to provide services celebrating same-sex relationships. And in each case, they were sued… Now, as states around the nation weigh how to balance the rights of same-sex couples with those of conservative religious business owners, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona must decide whether to sign legislation that would allow business owners to cite religious beliefs as a legal justification for denying service to same-sex couples.” New York Times, February 21^st.

The arguments against gay rights are almost always rooted in religious tradition: “‘In America, people should be free to live and work according to their faith, and the government shouldn’t be able to tell us we can’t do that,’ said Joseph E. La Rue, the legal counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian legal organization based in Scottsdale, Ariz., that advocates religious liberty and supports the measure passed by the State Legislature. ‘Faith shouldn’t be something we have to leave inside our house.’” NY Times. And after all, we are a nation of religious freedom.

It is, however, interesting to understand this religious bias, particularly in our Judeo-Christian traditions. Here’s one of the most articulate responses to that religious justification. It came in an open Web-posted letter in response to Dr. Laura (PhD Psychologist, Laura Schlessinger) after she cited the  biblical passage on her socially conservative radio talk show. As a practicing Orthodox Jew, she said, according to Leviticus 18:22, homosexuality is an abomination against God’s will. Got it. But James M. Kauffman (pictured above), Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia, wrote this stunning and biting response to Dr. Laura’s self-righteous position:

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

“James M. Kauffman (born December 7, 1940 in Hannibal, MO) is an American who has made significant contributions to the field of education, specifically special education. He has authored or co-authored several books and many journal articles in the fields of special education, education reform, child psychology, and child development and has served in various editorial capacities. The topics he has written about include behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, mental retardation, instructional and behavior management techniques in the classroom, education reform, and ethical and policy issues. He has also made presentations in multiple countries. He currently is Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he became a faculty member in 1970. He has had an active career in education since the 1960s.” Wikipedia.

One of the saddest parts of religiously-justified bigotry is the cherry-picking of religious text: a complete failure either to “look at it all” or an uncanny ability simply to ignore stuff you don’t like, choosing instead stuff that supports your own deeply embedded prejudices. Be grateful that the vast majority of Americans just feel bad about isolating a class of human beings whose very nature is simply a part of who they are… traits that truly do not impinge upon or hurt anyone else.

And if we are still mired in an unsustainable archaic muddle of bigotry, picture the anti-gay laws in Russia and elsewhere. “Uganda's president on [February 24^th] signed a controversial anti-gay bill that has harsh penalties for homosexual sex, saying the bill is necessary because ‘arrogant and careless Western groups’ had tried to ‘recruit’ Ugandan children into homosexuality… The new law calls for first-time offenders to be sentenced to 14 years in jail. It also sets life imprisonment as the maximum penalty for a category of offenses called ‘aggravated homosexuality,’ defined as repeated gay sex between consenting adults as well as acts involving a minor, a disabled person or where one partner is infected with HIV.” Huffington Post, February 24^th. I wonder if Arizona legislators are thinking they didn’t go far enough?

I’m Peter Dekom, and hatred blended with bigotry – however justified – is always ugly.