Bible a sexy read, but |can be confusing

Thanks should go to “Ye Olde Pedant, Champion of Biblical Literacy”, for furthering the ethical discussion so entertainingly. The ambiguous tale of Onan’s seed has been debated by theologians for centuries (though far less entertainingly!) Masturbation, coitus interruptus, contraception, homosexuality, moral turpitude and cultural tradition have all been dragged in to the mare’s nest.

Actually, in relation to his letter, I suspect Dr Frank was citing two unconnected biblical narratives – the story of Onan (who spills his seed on the ground) and the parable of the sower (who inseminates some of his seed in rocky ground). He was likely attempting to illustrate that the “scattered” seed of Onan is as unrelated to that of the sower as the Chilcot Inquiry is to Brexit. 

Unfortunately, having accused me of causing confusion, he proceeded to cause confusion. The point was simple, but uncertainty issued from “espousing” this odd and sinuous union of carnal, agricultural, theological and political subject matter. Was this an attempt at high-minded one-upmanship? Was there a subliminal intention to arouse a much wider moral debate of some kind? Maybe the good doctor will let us know.

John Shepherd