Editor, Times-Union: In response to Jonathan Mauk's letter of 7/5/06:
Dear Mr. Mauk, Thank you for your letters to the Times-Union educating people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from them, 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 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 of the laws and how to best follow them.
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Leviticus 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
My friend would like to sell her 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?
Leviticus 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 this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
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?
Leviticus 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 have had to wear glasses for years. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room there?
I know from Leviticus 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
My grandfather and father had farms. They violated Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as did my mother and grandmother by wearing garments made of two different kinds of threads (cotton/polyester blend). They also tend to curse a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Leviticus 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 (Leviticus 20:14)?
You seem to have extensive knowledge, Mr. Mauk, of God's Law, so I am confident that you can help.
Thank you for again reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Lisa Rector, via e-mail Warsaw
Recycling Program
Editor, Times-Union: On Tuesday, July 4, we were going to Warsaw and took a lot of recycle materials. What we saw was outrageous. People were just dumping their trash! It is very necessary to recycle so much of our stuff as we can so that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren can have things so nice as we have them. We need a terrific financial penalty for those inconsiderate people who are ruining our recycle program.
Fred R. Yohey Warsaw
One View
Editor, Times-Union: When Jesus Christ comes in glory, He will bring peace to planet earth. However, because our world and even the good old U.S.A. don't want to hear His name in the public arena, even our educational system, to a greater or lesser degree wants to censor His name. (His name and His book may unduly influence a child. We can't have that can we?) So we must search for world peace or at least national peace another way.
I have several suggestions to take us in that direction, at least it may seem that way.
1. Give in to the world dominion aims of Islam.
2. Help destroy the indestructible nation of Israel.
3. Help destroy the authority of the indestructible word of God.
4. Denounce the name of Jesus Christ as the only saviour.
5. Embrace homosexuality as an equal lifestyle.
6. Embrace homosexual marriages.
7. Embrace a lawless, polygamous society. We are close to that now.
Will this bring world peace, even national peace? No, but it will bring a certain amount of temporary appeasement.
In reality, it will bring to pass the prophetic picture painted with words by the prophet David.
"Why do the nations rage, and the peoples imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take council together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying 'Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us.'" Psalms 2:1-3.
In other words they are saying let's dismiss all advice from the Creator and destroy all restraints from anything we desire to do. Let's deny any controls over our lives. Now notice God's response. Psalms 2:4a: "He who sitteth in the heavens shall laugh."
Rather than peace, this will bring to pass a condition in society that will be irreversible and totally judgmental by God.
Is it too late to bring this direction to a halt? This depends if you are willing to repent and become a committee of one on the side of our great creator, Jesus Christ, who said, "Ye must be born again."
Gilbert Hawkins Warsaw
Stand Up
Editor, Times-Union: In the past week or so we have had a couple of people write letters to the editor stating what it means to be a liberal. Then another writing about a one-party system. I would like to commend both of them for standing up for what they believe in. We need more people like this in our local Democratic Party.
