This morning I read a story about a woman who killed her four-year-old son because she thought he was gay. Four-years-old! I know a lot of boys around that age who think nothing of putting on their mothers high heel shoes or playing with a purse or a doll. When did that warrant a death sentence?! When exactly did folks begin using the bible as an excuse to hate everyone who isn't white, Christian, male and straight?
The story made me think about a conversation I had with a guy who told me the bible says that homosexuals should be killed. I decided to do some research for other things in the bible that deserve the capital offense. I mean, if I should be killed simply because I'm gay and the bible said so then surely they should meet that same fate for their actions right?!
Murder People Who Work on the Sabbath
The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 'Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.' Exodus 31:12-15
Murder People Who Are Not Christian
Suppose a man or woman among you, in one of your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, has done evil in the sight of the LORD your God and has violated the covenant by serving other gods or by worshiping the sun, the moon, or any of the forces of heaven, which I have strictly forbidden. When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, then that man or woman must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death. (Deuteronomy 17:2-5
Murder Women Who Aren't Virgins on Their Wedding Night
But if this charge is true (that she wasn't a virgin on her wedding night), and evidence of the girls virginity is not found, they shall bring the girl to the entrance of her fathers house and there her townsman shall stone her to death, because she committed a crime against Israel by her unchasteness in her father's house. Thus shall you purge the evil from your midst. (Deuteronomy 22:20-21
Murder All Adulterers
If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10
Murder Those Who Curse Their Parents
All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense. (Leviticus 20:9
Murder Those Who Hit Their Parents
Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. (Exodus 21:15
Murder All Fortune Tellers
A man or a woman who acts as a medium or fortuneteller shall be put to death by stoning; they have no one but themselves to blame for their death. (Leviticus 20:27)
What is the obsession with homosexuals?! Does the bible not mention anything else but gay folks?! Why care about what happens between two consenting adults?! I know my being a lesbian engrosses your entire life but for one minute let's focus on more important things like affordable housing, improving free education, more books and computers in schools, affordable childcare, the homeless, increasing teacher pay, healthcare, creating jobs, the cure for cancer, health, unsolved crimes, equal pay for women, preventing hate crimes and the environment. And maybe, just maybe, the world would become a better place.