Eric Shaw Quinn

The word abomination is one I hear a lot as a gay man. Good Christians stand on the corner near my house and scream it at me every Pride Day (and whenever else they can get away with it.) Miss Beverly Hills — who is from Pasadena — felt so strongly about what the Bible says on the subject of abomination that she went on Fox News to share her concerns.

Apparently, according to the sacred laws in the book of Leviticus, me having a boyfriend is an abomination. Miss Beverly Hills says I should be put to death for it. Yikes. Like dating wasn’t hard enough. It all sounds really serious so I looked it up.

Here is what Leviticus says about abomination in chapter 11 verse 12: “Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.” That means eating shellfish is an abomination. Being gay is the same as dining at Red Lobster.

So my question is this: Where are the protestors? Where is the moral outrage? Where is Fred Phelps? Where is Miss Beverly Hills?

If these ancient and arcane rules are so important that they should be used to threaten gay people with death, deny them equal rights as Americans and shape the US Armed Forces Code of Military Conduct, what’s up with Lobsterfest?

And it’s not just lobsters were talking about. Shrimp, crab and crawdads, abominations all. It staggers the mind how low the many have fallen. Yet, where are the threats of death and the bashings? Where are the laws preventing shrimp peelers from marrying? Where is the religious conviction of those who claim to be in support of the Bible and it’s laws and teachings?

If these politically active and vocal Christians obeyed, cared about or even KNEW any of the other laws from this same book and made ANY effort to enforce them, I’d hold their arguments on this point in higher regard.
Other things that are against the laws of Leviticus?

Poly cotton blends — who knew JC Penny was the scourge of god and no-iron sheets could land you in hell? Animal husbandry — the interbreeding of animals is strictly forbidden which makes mules and the Westminster Dog Show and Kennel Club works of the devil. Also against the law: shaving, tattoos, pizza, plastic surgery, attending church after sleeping with your own wife, and eating fruit off a tree you plant that is less than five years old. These ancient laws also advocate killing those who speak ill to their parents, adulterers and most of the guests on Jerry Springer.

Where is the proposition to enforce these laws? Where is the drive to deprive dog breeders of their civil right? Where is the ballot initiative that encourages parents to murder mouthy children? If these laws are too arcane and ridiculous to support, then why just the one? Do you suppose these people are just bigots using the Bible and their alleged Christian faith to justify their hatred?

To them and all those who believe that the legal precedents of Leviticus should guide modern laws and society I say: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself,” Leviticus 19:18.