Dr Laura Schlessinger is an American conservative talk radio host known for her straight talking and ‘”tough love” approach. Her radio program consists mainly of her responses to callers’ requests for personal advice. One might call it Dear Abbey meets shock jock.
When Dr Laura Schlessinger caused so much controversy by stating on her radio show in August 2000 that homosexuals were “biological errors” and deviates it was a catalyst for gay activism that was historical. A website was launched called StopDrLaura.com which led to many stations cancelling her show.
During this time the letter below went viral and has had several since. It is an open letter to Dr Laura that cleverly and humorously demonstrates how out of context the verses have been taken and that simply saying “the bible clearly says homosexuality is a sin” can get you in a lot of trouble.
The popular TV series, West Wing, used the letter as the basis for this scene in an episode the same year.
It should be noted that the title Dr she uses is in front of her name is deceptive. Schlessinger’s PhD, is NOT in medical science or psychology, it’s in physiology. Her doctorate was entitled Effects of Insulin on 3-0 Methylglucose Transport in Isolated Rat Adipocytes. According to one of her professors, she spent most of her doctoral training time “pulling fat pads off rat testicles.”
She was further embarrassed when nude photos, taken during an affair she was having with a married man, appeared on the internet.
Dear Dr Laura
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from you, 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.
- When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. How should I deal with this?
- I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as it suggests in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
- 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 offence.
- Lev. 25:44 states that I may buy slaves from the nations that are around us. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify?
- I have a neighbour 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?
- A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 10:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this?
- Lev. 20:20 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?
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.
Footnote. There have been some people who claimed authorship of this piece as well as being attributed to others. According to Snopes as a counter to the “homosexuality is wrong because the Bible says so” argument Dr. Laura frequently offered, Kent Ashcraft penned and sent her a letter that became an Internet-circulated piece after its author e-mailed a copy to one friend whom he thought would find it amusing. She in turn forwarded the item to several of her friends, and the letter went viral within a couple of weeks. I think we can safely assume the letter was written by a clever, pissed off, gay person who obviously had a sound Bible knowledge.
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