A letter to Doctor Laura... ⇒
21 March 2005, the wee hours
"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?"
This is a post from my link log: If you click the title of this post you will be taken the web page I am discussing.
Yeah, that line is ripped straight from an episode of the West Wing. Similar character who got schooled, as well. But I can’t argue with the message.
by Jesse on March 21 2005, 2:54 pm #
It’s a pretty funny letter. I’ve always found the “homosexuals are evil because it says so in the Bible” argument a bit tired.
by ramanan on March 21 2005, 7:04 pm #
actually, the west wing ripped this off. I’m pretty sure I read a while ago that it actually never was sent to Dr Laura. That’s just something that evolved with the life of the email forward. There’s actually a pile of innacurracies in it too, but the jist is true: “the bible can justify anything”
by rooney on March 21 2005, 7:39 pm #
The part about shellfish makes me laugh.
by martha on March 22 2005, 12:38 am #
Yeah. The shellfish statement was the only one I had heard before—god hates shrimp. I liked the one about women on their period the best. And Tyler, what quotes were disputed. I looked them all up in the King James Bible by line number, and they correspond to what is being said—the only exception is Leviticus 20:20, which has nothing to do with approaching the alter of the Lord if you have a defect in your vision. I suspect that is just a typo, and that this actually comes up in Leviticus.
For those interested, here is a link on Leviticus 18:22. It is famous because it is often quoted as being the source in the Bible that says homosexual acts are forbidden.
by ramanan on March 22 2005, 1:02 am #
Oh, no, don’t dis Aaron Sorkin – his teleplay came first, before the Letter to Dr. Laura.
Also, for reference:
THE WEST WING
THE MIDTERMS
WRITTEN BY: AARON SORKIN
DIRECTED BY: ALEX GRAVES
BARTLET
Forgive me, Dr. Jacobs. Are you an M.D.?
JENNA JACOBS
Ph.D.
BARTLET
A Ph.D.?
JENNA JACOBS
Yes, sir.
BARTLET
In Psychology?
JENNA JACOBS
No sir.
BARTLET
Theology?
JENNA JACOBS
No.
BARTLET
Social work?
JENNA JACOBS
I have a Ph.D. in English Literature.
BARTLET
I’m asking, ‘cause on your show, people call in for advice and you go by the name of Dr. Jacobs on your show. And I didn’t know if maybe your listeners were confused by that, and assumed you had advanced training in Psychology, Theology, or health care.
JENNA JACOBS
I don’t believe they are confused, no sir.
BARTLET
Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.
JENNA JACOBS
I don’t say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.
BARTLET
Yes, it does. Leviticus.
JENNA JACOBS
18:22
BARTLET
Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I had you here.
I’m interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. (small chuckles from the guests) She’s a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, and always clears the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be?
While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff, LeoO McGarry, insists on working on the Sabbath, Exodus 35:2, clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police?
Here’s one that’s really important, ‘cause we’ve got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes us unclean, Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point?
Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother, John, for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads?
by serena on March 23 2005, 11:10 pm #
Serena, you have it backwards. The letter came first, it says so in your link actually.
by ramanan on March 23 2005, 11:32 pm #
my bad. yes. had a brain fart. apologies.
by serena on March 25 2005, 2:54 am #