i haven't read his book. cameras followed him around for a show on Sundance Channel for a while. that's where i first learned of him.
I'm not Christian myself, and Leviticus IS the law for an observant jew. Most of what I know about it was from taking required classes for my MA that had little do with my course of study (Creative Writing). Disclaimer: if you don't want to read about Jewish/Israeli stuff, you stop now The university I went to is religious though, and I have 2 years of Medieval Philosophy and Judaism Studies under my belt, whether I wanted it or not. The nitty-gritty of advanced Judaism studies seems a lot like I would imagine law school to be. Observance is way more important than faith, and as I was constantly reminded, the Modern Orthodox way of interpreting Jewish Law is the most "liberal" of all classic arguments. That's one of the reasons the Orthodox (and Israel effectively as a whole) rejects the Conservative and Reform and Reconstructionist movements as not being Judaism, since it doesn't "obey the law" to the degree it should. But in any case...geting back to the topic, the public at large is much more accepting of gay people than I think the US is. I think the ratio of (openly at least) gay to straight people in Tel Aviv is probably higher than New York, maybe even San Francisco. Many of them serve or served in elite units and would probably not take kindly to making light of their sexual preferences. But in the ultra-Orthodox community that isn't the case. There are a lot of stories of closeted gay people in the ultra-Orthodox community that have their families (and wives) cover it up to keep up appearances. I know a lot of kids that grew up, moved to Tel Aviv, and still pretend when they go home on Shabbat and holidays. In the case of King David, the Stone Edition translation (the Modern Orthodox translation that's pretty much the main bible for Orthodox Jews who speak English) the Jonathan and David narrative is very whitewashed. I asked several (secular mind you) Israeli friends about it and even they were surprised to read the translation...most of them were raised believing King David was bisexual, since that's clearly what the text Hebrew says, and said that the reference is often used as joking innuendo to gay couples.
Not to mention....the "heroes" of the Bible do all kinds of crap. David is not only an adulterer, but he sends his lover's husband out to the front lines to make sure he won't make it back. I don't know what the translation is...but it doesn't look like there's a whole lot of whitewashing of most of the crap they did...so it's funny to see that it would happen for something like his relationship with Jonathan.
Actually, I find it pretty appropriate. I am not a Martian in any way, shape, or form. If I were to claim that I am a Martian, the only thing I would be worthy of is a series of rolled eyes. tex is an independent in exactly the same way that I am a Martian. Him making that statement is worthy of a rolleyes the size of Alaska.
The Bible actually says nothing about homosexuality because homosexuality as a concept was not known in those times. Also, Jonathan and David were lovers anyway. Unless you think straight men get naked and have hard-ons for each other, and I don't.
Joel Osteen is a con artist. He does not preach about fundamental Biblical teachings. He preaches about prosperity. He says being rich is one of the greatest gifts God can give to man. He's a business man.
People shouldn't bring up Leviticus to justify anti-gay attitudes, unless you think tattoos, shrimp or cutting the hair on the sides of your head or your beard are all also sins.
Unless you yourself are gay, you don't know this. Also, statistically, most people believe homosexuality is either nature, or nature/nurture mix. Most DO NOT believe people just turn gay or that gay is a choice.
waaaaait just a dern minute! If that is true than I....but he said--it isn't...it...but not if you don't.......I.... *damn*
I'm not sure if homosexuality was known, but I think intercourse was banned between two man because according to their logic, the "receiver" would become feminized. Likewise, zoophilla was banned, not because people thought it immoral or because it is unhealthy, but because having sex with an animal would somehow make that person an animal.