Why the death penalty for some sexual sins.

[Frank Ernest]

These harsh proscriptions are part of the Levitical Holiness Code. Weren't they devised during the Jewish diaspora, or some social historical catasrophe that threatened to further break up and/or assimilate normative Judaism into another tribal empire?

No.

You cannot strive for empire if your people are having unprocreative sex.

Wrong. You can't maintain an empire that way.

Real estate: location, location, location
History: context, context, context

:yawn:

 

[aikido7]

No.

Wrong. You can't maintain an empire that way.

:yawn:

"...The book of Leviticus was composed during the Babylonian Exile in the latter years of the sixth century BC primarily by a group of Jewish religious leaders who came to be known as 'the priestly writers.' It was a survival decument, calling and shaping the Jewish people [into} a dedication strong enough to continue their existence as a people...."
--"A Guide to Understanding the Bible" by Harry Emerson Fosdick

 

[Frank Ernest]

"...The book of Leviticus was composed during the Babylonian Exile in the latter years of the sixth century BC primarily by a group of Jewish religious leaders who came to be known as 'the priestly writers.' It was a survival decument, calling and shaping the Jewish people [into} a dedication strong enough to continue their existence as a people...."
--"A Guide to Understanding the Bible" by Harry Emerson Fosdick

:darwinsm: So you and Fearless Fosdick think it was all made up?

Sure didn't work, did it?

:Commie: :loser: atheist

 

[Delmar]

:darwinsm: So you and Fearless Fosdick think it was all made up?

Sure didn't work, did it?

:Commie: :loser: atheist

 

[Rimi]

But the point is, even if you had the penalty and even if the criminal was "stopped," there'd still be people committing it elsewhere at any time, and even in secret.

How many adulterers do you think there are in this world? That'd be a lot of people receiving the punishment. And yet, people won't stop because hedonism goes beyond their ability to think of the consequences.

You can punish them, sure...but that's not my point. I'm only saying that it won't make much of a difference.

Of course, there's a bunch of theories to this "deterrence" thing though -- take Sociology of Deviance class

Sorry I've taken so long to respond. SIL in hospital, MIL was, then niece. Everyone I know is in the hospital.

It doesn't matter that people won't stop committing sin/crime: if it's wrong, it's wrong. If the majority of them say murdering all blonde women between the ages of 21 and 25, it's still wrong. We are to punish those caught to the fullest extend (of God's law, preferrably). If they continue in adultery, then they'd better get real good at hiding it. And it DOES make a difference: it deters the ones caught. If we execute a murder, then he can't murder anymore. Bottom line, it's a matter of justice, not deterrence.

 

[Rimi]

I am very aware of this point. And am also aware that the case stil remains that she had been caught in adultery, [ and that oddly enough the male was not brought along with her!] as mentioned by Jesus saying to her, "Go and sin no more". His grace was extended to her.

True, both man and woman should've been brought before Jesus if they were going to test Him properly with the Law. As it was, the Leaders were breaking the law themselves by only charging one of the two, as both were to be stoned to death per the Law. It'd be interesting to know what Jesus would've said had the Pharisees had done this properly.

As for Jesus pardoning her, sure, because Jesus has that authority. Judges do not, Pharisees do not, we do not.

 

[Rimi]

True but he also never stated that the government would have been wrong to do so. Jesus was not a governmental leader....yet!

Jesus didn't have the chance to because it wasn't a fair test. The Jewish leaders were disobeying the law themselves by only condemning one of the two found in adultery.