“Human Rights” Verses “What Is Right?”
Originally Published: 24 Aug., 2009
Recent news:
Lutheran Group Eases Limits on Gay Clergy – NYTimes.com
Aug 22, 2009 . . . The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America voted to allow non celibate homosexuals to serve as clergy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/22/us/22lutherans.html
Presbyterian leaders OK gay clergy – Los Angeles Times (Clergy Say OK)
Jun. 28, 2008 . . . Leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) overturned a long-standing ban on the ordination of gays and lesbians Friday, providing yet the . . .
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/28/local/me-ordain28 –
Presbyterians vote against gay clergy – Washington Times (Followers say NO)
Apr 26, 2009 . . . Efforts to allow gays and lesbians to serve as clergy in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have been defeated again, sealed by votes Saturday.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/26/presbyterians-vote-against-gay-clergy/
Poland Gets 1st Openly Gay Rabbi – International News | News of . . .
Jun 23, 2009 . . . Poland Gets 1st Openly Gay Rabbi, When Rabbi Aaron Katz walks the streets of Warsaw’s former Jewish quarter, scenes of that lost world fill . . .
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,528480,00.html
RABBI SCHOOL GAY-OK – New York Post
Mar 27, 2007 . . . Oy gay! In a historic move that could divide Conservative Jews, the Jewish Theological Seminary announced yesterday that it has lifted a ban . . .
http://www.nypost.com/…/rabbi_school_gay_ok_regionalnews_david_andreatta. htm –
The Badger Herald: News: Gay rabbi reevaluates customs
Apr 5, 2005 . . . Rabbi Steve Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, spoke about the power of discourse to alleviate difference and achieve . . .
http://badgerherald.com/news/2005/04/05/gay_rabbi_reevaluate.php
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These are all articles available today on the Web. The links were active as of this writing.
I present this information only as a way of showing that Isaiah 5:20 . . . Those who call evil good and good evil; Who present darkness as light and light as darkness . . .
These things are but signs of how close we are to THAT DAY.
So what does the Five Books of Moses(Torah) tell us about “Human Rights” and “What Is Right?” What is demonstrated there for us to know?
First I would present that “Human Rights” is a choice. A choice where we as humans have decided that whatever we want is our right. A choice that Morals should not impede, for we have the right to choose this . . . ”whatever it is” for ourselves. We are very great at self-justification on these grounds.
Genesis 3:17 . . . ”Because you did as your wife said and ate of the tree about which I COMMANDED YOU, “YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF IT” . . .
There are two choices presented in this verse, two crimes committed. The first and most important Adam choose Eve over The LORD, if this were not important a simple statement that Adam ate of the tree would be enough. In this case it was not enough, therefore The LORD’s is the great concern. Adam did not choose G-D over his “Human Rights.” Result :: Have you seen Eden, The Garden? I think we miss placed it and don’t seem to remember the way back.
Genesis 6:5_8 . . . The LORD saw man’s wickedness on the earth, and how every plan devised by his mind was nothing but evil all of the time(Human Rights?). Result:: wipe the earth of everything with the breath of life on the land, except those in the Ark.
Genesis 9. What did Ham do to his father Noah, that Noah should curse his grandson Canaan, with such a curse that the LORD maintains the curse even now?
Genesis 19 –The story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Verse 4 When the men of Sodom, young and old –all the people to the last man –gathered about the house. And they shouted to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may be intimate with them.“ In verse 8 Lot offers his two daughters who have not known a man. The men of Sodom persisted in their demands . . . Result::The Valley where Sodom and Gomorrah were, became almost totally a cinder before dawn.
There are many things listed in the Torah which are forbidden but (Leviticus 18:22) Do not lie with a male as one lies with a woman; it is an abhorrence. (Is seems very straight forward to me.)
(Leviticus 18:23) Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
(Leviticus 18:24) Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
(Leviticus 18:25) And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
(Deuteronomy 22:5) The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
I have heard that these items are “Human Rights”. (choice?) But, The LORD is very explicit in what is RIGHT. Are we still doing what Adam did? Choosing Human Rights over G-D? Do you think it will turn out better this time?
Last:: Why should I or You try so hard to be Righteous? In Jeremiah 4, The LORD gave Jeremiah things to say and do to Israel and Jerusalem, but Jeremiah argues that this is not right. In chapter 5, Jeremiah is sent to find in Jerusalem one man: “if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.”
Maybe one of us will be good enough to save a great many. I am will to try to be righteous.
What have you decided to do?
Personal Note: The Tanach is not an easy read for me, and must be studied with an open heart, seeking G-D, and the truth to know and do that which is righteous. I have found that it is well worth the effort and time.
Shalom,
Yaakov