The Odd Biblical Book of Leviticus…

…AND SUBSEQUENT JUSTIFYING/RECONCILING EFFORTS, WHICH MAY DEFINE MODERN ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS. As I suspected, a re-reading of Leviticus has confirmed notions that it is a book of antiquated weirdness. Devoted mostly to animal sacrifice, slavery, forbidding of eating obscure animals, stonings of gay men, and narrow views of women’s periods, it could almost have been dreamt up by Monty Python cast members. That the three largest modern religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) justify, but haven’t fully reconciled this wayward book is a sad indicator of the condition of our modern world. This is a shame too, since (literalists beware), a few omissions could make the Bible a solid guide for rational, moral behavior.

Moses (Charleton Heston), from “The Ten Commandments”. Leviticus contains the addenda and fine-print of God’s Law (possibly written on the back of the tablets?)

Examples: You don’t believe me about the Book of Leviticus? Well here is a synopsis by verse:

Leviticus 1: The Lord instructs Moses on the specifics of how animals (mostly burnt offerings of unblemished, male, drawn and quartered cattle, goats, and sheep) shall be sacrificed at the altar of the new Tabernacle (where God has conditionally agreed to interact with humanity). Poor people can sacrifice burn offerings of turtle doves and pigeons to please God. These sacrifices are to be processed by Aaron (John Carradine in the 1956 “The Ten Commandments” movie), and his four sons, who serve as priests.