Bokstavstro

Det kanske är förmätet av mig – som inte är medlem i svenska kyrkan och som inte tror på någon gud – att ha åsikter om vad svenska kyrkan ska stå för. Å andra sidan borde det vara lika förmätet av människor som säger sig tro på denna gud att tvärsäkert uttala sig om vad denna gud har för uppfattning. Särskilt tveksamt är det då denna uttolkning grundas på vad som andra människor skrev för flera tusen år sedan. Om dessa människors avsikt var att skriva ner guds vilja är denna rimligen tolkat utifrån den kontext dessa människor befann sig i. Det som människorna i Palestina uppfattade som guds vilja för två årtusenden sedan behöver väl inte per automatik vara det som är guds vilja i Sverige idag?

En stor majoritet i svenska kyrkan verkar mena att guds budskap måste tolkas utifrån varje tid. Biskopen i Linköpings stift – Martin Lind – skriver om "den sammanfattning av hela Guds lag som i Nya testamentet uttryckligen sägs vara: Du skall älska din nästa som dig själv (se t ex Gal 5,14). Till detta bud finns inga tillägg." Jag väntar med spänning på den alltid kloka och läsvärda Marta Axner ska blogga om sin bibelsyn.

Sedan finns det några få som i första hand verkar dyrka bibelns bokstäver och som driver namninsamlingar och kommenterar på andras bloggar – eftersom de läser bibelns bokstav om homosexualitet (och kvinnliga präster). Det jag inte förstår är varför de valt ut just detta; det finns mycket annat de borde slåss för också som visas i nedanstående brev som återkommit i många olika sammanhang, bland annat i ett avsnitt av Vita huset.

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 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.
a) 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?
b) 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?
c) 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.
d) 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?
e) 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?
f) 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?
g) 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?
h) 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?
i) 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?
j) 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, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

Brevet taget från den här internetsidan.