Religious scaremongering

Looking at the scenes outside Parliament last night where hard line religious groups held a 'torch light' parade to protest against new laws designed to protect lesbian and gay people from discrimination, it got me thinking that it’s amazing how different faiths can unite in hatred, but not in love and tolerance. Nearly all religions preach ‘love your neighbour’ but religion has been the main cause of war and bloodshed through the ages. These people are just using religious texts as a cover for their homophobia, you can use the bible to condone or condemn just about anything.

Here is the text from a scene in the West Wing when Bartlett attacks a Dr Laura type character:

Bartlet: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.

Jacobs: I don't say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President, the Bible does.

Bartlet: Yes, it does. Leviticus. 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. She's a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared 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, Leo 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 because we've got a lot of sports fans in this town. Touching the skin of a dead pig makes one 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?


Think about those questions, would you? One last thing, while you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club, in this building, when the President stands, nobody sits.

(Note from Noel: If anyone requires the biblical chapter and verse for the above, I can supply them)