Very thoughtful, well-written and clever – but a hit below the belt. You see, the whole point in the New Testament was to tell people the old laws are now obsolete (hence the designation: “New” Testament.)

After reading both the Old and New Testaments, it appears to me the gratitude that people who follow the Judeo-Christian religions should express – is that we are no longer bound by these archaic laws – which many countries (who are not associated in any way with Judeo-Christian values) still follow.

Quite a few of the “old” laws Jesus specifically mentioned as being obsolete. For example, He said it’s now OK to eat salt-water fish and pigs, and all the stuff the book of Exodus said you weren’t allowed to eat.

On the topic of Jesus and divorce: He specifically said that Moses was allowed to grant divorces, because the society he lived in, had become “hard-hearted.” This was in no way a compliment – but it fell short of a mandate of “no divorce.”

Also, on the topic of Paul’s view on taking a vow of virginity: Paul simply said that people are happier in non-sexual relationships – even going as far to say that it’s OK if a married couple never have sex – but he also said that he realizes (and I’m paraphrasing here) that socieities are too sexualized for anyone to take the idea that you can be happier without sex, seriously – and he knows that – and doesn’t hold someone’s inability to see they’d be happier without sex, against them – as long as the sex is conducted within the confines of marriage – it’s OK.

How the particular denominations interpret this, is what sets them apart. For example: the Catholics have interpreted Paul’s comments on virginity as a belief a priest can’t please a wife “with worldly concerns” and pastor a flock to the best of his abilities, because his wife will always be a distraction (a good distraction – a bad distraction – Paul doesn’t make the distinction.) Paul did make that comparison, but the Evangelicals think that Paul meant you can’t realize your full potential in doing God’s work as a married spouse, because you’ll always be worried about pleasing your spouse – but don’t let that excuse prevent you from at least doing some of God’s work – even if you can’t realize your full potential in God’s work because you have to please your spouse as well. To me, I think this is the most accurate interpretation, because Paul’s comments are gender neutral when it comes to spouses and distractions, meaning to me: Paul thinks that door swings both ways with both genders.

When it comes to the desire to fulfill sexual desires, Paul specifically says, he thinks people are silly for pursuing such things because ultimately, they’re happier when the don’t – but as long as you’re fulfilling your sexual desires in the confines of a monogomous marriage, it’s OK.

The difference between Catholics and Evangelicals is very marked in this area. I’ve sat in on “married couple’s classes” in Evangelical denominations, where they openly talk about sex – on Sunday morning! It’s not “Cosmo-style,” sex-talk where they have a woman sit in front of the class in a mini-skirt and no panties while someone demonstrates where the “G” spot is – it’s not like that at all. But they do openly talk about sex – as it pertains to married life. I remember a pastor saying in a married couple’s class: men “want it” all the time and are constantly turned down. But men, when your wife “wants it,” I don’t care how tired you are. I don’t care if you just worked a double shift on two hours sleep and you’re dead tired – give it to her, or risk your wife losing interest altogether.”

On the topic of sexual variety in a marriage, I’ve heard a pastor say – during a Sunday morning sermon: “What a man and a wife do in the “marriage bed,” is strictly a matter between the man and wife – and is no one else’s business – as long as the sex is between the man and wife – and only the man and wife.”

I think he was coyly referring to the topic of oral sex, the introduction of sex toys and role playing to keep things spiced up – and heated up – although he didn’t elaborate as you might expect.

So when people refer to Evangelicals as “repressed,” it kind of cracks me up. It’s like – the last form of acceptable bigotry – because it simply isn’t true. Evangelicals are the least repressed of any of the Christian denominations – and the most accepting of women in authority – as long as it isn’t spiritual authority. But women in the workplace? They practically invented it! Women achieving status and authority? If they were so against it, why are they all for Sara Palin? They couldn’t be against women achieving positions of authority and status in the workplace, and be against Sara Palin – it just wouldn’t make sense.

Many “core” members of Evangelical denominations are women who hold positions of high authority in the workplace – and the church is openly – and honestly happy for them – and hold them up as examples for other women to follow. Again, the stereotype of churches thinking of women as sexual slaves – busted, as far as I’m concerned. The only place – and I mean the only place – they think authority is the exclusive domain of men – is in the pulpit. Outside of the pulpit, they think women are a man’s equal – and most churches “walk-the-walk” with that one – they really do.

But this is where Christians give themselves a deservedly bad rap: these “commandments” are specifically for Christians. Jesus said, you can do everything right, but if you don’t believe in Me – it still won’t get you anywhere, so you’d be better off living a hedonistic lifestyle, than being a phony in church.

So for Christians to shove commandments – that are only for them – onto non-Christians – is stupid. These rules are only for Christians – and that is explicitly clear.

Concerning non-Christians, it’s clear: live a good, clean life, and that will be the example people will want to follow. When people become curious or even envious, and ask why you have so much contentment, “always be ready to give the answer.” It doesn’t say, “Always be willing to shove your doctrine down everyone’s throat, whether they want to hear it, or not.”

This is specifically why Jesus said: “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” I think most Christians should really look at that one when shoving their misguided beliefs down everyone else’s throat.