"If a man's testicles are crushed or his penis is cut off, he may not be admitted to the assembly of the LORD." Deuteronomy 23:1
While the theatrical slapstick kick in the groin evokes wild laughter in the unrefined audience, any serious discussion of the actual defect, reduction or removal of male sexual organs for any cause is prohibitively uncomfortable for many, including some physicians. So, Why did I post this? Well, mostly because it is absolutely hilarious. And, secondly because it is one of the most misinterpreted verses in the Bible. You see, people read this and automatically assume it means men who were born with deformities or had an "accident" (a terrible one, I may add) will not be admitted to heaven. Yet, you have to understand it's location in the Bible to fully understand its meaning. Certain men who were captured and put into slavery, commonly referred to as a "eunuch" in the old testament, were emasculated in order to fulfill a certain task. This men would watch the harem of the king. And since these men no longer had their "equipment", they had no way of messing around with the king"s women. These men, all though not the luckiest menones, held a respectable position. Many men wanted to get this job, as shocking as it seems, and they went as far as removing their own male organs in order to be in position to watch the harem. Radical Christians like to use this verse to accuse hermaphrodites, or those who have underwent sexual recunstruction surgery, of eternal damnation. I disagree. So, what is your take on this verse?
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