Dear Biblical Literalists,
A few days back, Andrew Sullivan reported on a story about a group of guys who viciously attacked a New York gay man. A heinous crime no matter what you believe about people who are gay. One member of the group (who may or may not have participated) flashed his tattoo in the coverage:
Yep, that’s right. A tattoo of Leviticus 18:22. A Leviticus quote which he understands to refer to gayness.*
Obviously, dear Biblical Literalists, this gentleman takes his faith seriously and his bible literally.
Too bad he didn’t read a chapter further which literally condemns tattoos:
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28, the one true translation KJV
If you are gonna be a biblical literalist, or just hold everyone to the Holiness Code…please be whole-hog instead of piecemeal. Otherwise you are guilty of the same sin you accuse others of.
Thanks! Have a great Friday!
~UMJeremy
* It can be interpreted to refer to acts between persons, not orientation. The More You Know! [cue flying star]
I agree! I respect my cousins who make their wives go to churches with hats on and stay silent while in the sanctuary. Whereas my cousins who take the Bible literally on women's ordination and homosexuality but don't wear hats to church are picking and choosing. Do it for real or go home.
And you're right to say that hate crimes have no excuse. If there's any verse in the Bible to take literally, it's "love your neighbor as yourself."
Hey Jeremy, just to let you know I've decided to talk about this on the community radio bit I'm doing today. Thanks for the idea. Hope you're well.