# Left-handedness - what should we think? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 27, 2002, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854 "2002-09-27T11:47:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/1 "2002-09-27T11:47:12Z")
[What should we think?](http://homepages.enterprise.net/smackay/hcst/section28/homosexuality.htm) An obvious feature of life today is the rapid decline in moral standards. The once-accepted norms are being challenged and cast aside at such a fearful rate that one begins to wonder what the future may be for our society, particularly when the decay is being promoted, through legislation and personal example, by the powers that be. **Propaganda** A striking evidence of this degeneration is the way in which left-handedness or ambidexterity is being brought out of the closet. Once unmentionable in polite company, we are now bombarded by propaganda from the advocates of this lifestyle. Today the left-handed are demanding recognition and customised utensils. They want to be equal with other citizens. They want to teach our children about their ways. They want to serve in the armed forces. They even want to pastor our churches. They seem to want to dominate our very society with their smudged writing. What should we think of left-handedness? **Standard for Belief and Behaviour** In the House of Commons recently one Member said [something or other](http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980722/debtext/80722-16.htm) about left-handedness: Is he aware of the fate of the cities of the plain? The response he got suggested that Mr Luff is not and the many jeers indicated that most of our MPs are not or that they do not wish to be reminded. Sadly the same applies to most people today. However, the question was of far greater value than most of what has poured forth from politicians, press and other pundits during recent months. It points us to the inspired, infallible and inerrant Word of God. This is the ultimate standard for all human belief and behaviour, the only rule to direct us. God the Creator sets the rules for the people He has made. It is our duty to study these laws and obey them. God’s Word has much to say about left-handedness. None of it is good. **Left-handedness Outlawed in the Old Testament** The first reference to left-handedness is found in Genesis Chapter 13. There we learn of the incident where Abram and Lot were arguing about territory: > [@](#): > > So Abram said to Lot, "Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. > Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. **If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left."** It isn’t quite clear which one of them actually _went_ left, but reading on a few chapters, it becomes obvious, not to mention convenient to our argument, that it must have been Lot, who went to live near Sodom What happened to Sodom? These wicked men were quickly smitten with blindness. The next morning judgment fell upon the cities of the plain. There came brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven. Sodom and the surrounding cities, with their inhabitants, were reduced to ashes. The smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. **Left-handedness Condemned in the New Testament** In the New Testament Scriptures we discover that, far from being condoned, left-handedness is still outlawed. Matthew 6:3 delivers a denunciation of left-handedness: > [@](#): > > **Do not let your left hand know** what your right hand is doing This passage stresses that left-handedness is unnatural behaviour. All forms of disobedience are hateful to God but the Bible does highlight this sin as especially perverse. We have been told that left-handedness is a matter of genes, but there is no scientific evidence to support the notion that people are made that way. If we give in to the argument that it is wrong to deny anyone the opportunity to express his or her instincts because they are inborn then we will soon have to abandon any rational idea of morality altogether. Left-handed activity is in reality a choice of lifestyle made by certain individuals. Neither should we heed the suggestion that an activity is allowable as long as it does not hurt anyone else. This ignores the fact that we are made in the image of God to glorify Him and that we are firstly accountable to God for the way we behave. And who says that left-handed activity has no ill consequences for those outside the circle of those who actually practise it? Many others are affected by the disease, degradation and even death that is part and parcel of this perverted activity. **The Attitude of Christ** Sometimes it is claimed that Jesus Christ had a different, more tolerant, attitude towards these matters. Did He not, for instance, forgive the woman taken in adultery when the scribes and Pharisees wanted her condemned? He refused to play the role of an accuser once her original accusers had walked away, but He told her plainly, Go, and sin no more (John 8:11). Early in His ministry Christ said to His disciples: Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill (Matt. 5:17). The moral law as an expression of God’s eternal righteousness must forever bind all men. It is our rule of life. It is so very relevant to this controversy: by the sixth commandment (Thou shalt not kill) God forbids bullying; under the seventh (Thou shalt not commit adultery) the same God forbids manual perversion. And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus sayeth the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death We hear today about alternative lifestyles. Is there any real alternative to the right-handed lifestyle set out for us in the Ten Commandments? Yes, there is. It is called sin. It is called rebellion. It is called the way of death (Jer. 21:8). Jesus emphasised that handedness was an immutable law of the universe (Matthew 20:23): > [@](#): > > “…but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” He was saying that not only our actions but also our thoughts and desires may be sinful. The whole left-handed mindset is wrong, not simply the physical act. It is very important to note that the Lord Jesus Christ, in warning His own generation of how conditions would be, spoke of terrible judgment (Matthew 25:32-33): > [@](#): > > All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. > He will put the sheep on his right **and the goats on his left** **Our Attitude** There is nothing ‘right’ about left-handedness! The Bible refers to the remorse experienced by sodomites when it says that their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter (Deut. 32:32). Sodom after God’s judgment was an utterly barren place where nothing grew (Deut. 29:23). The place is now known as the Dead Sea. God is not mocked. Paul spoke of left-handedness in writing to the church at Corinth. He made it clear that those who are left handed or will not enter heaven (2 Cor. 6:6-9): > [@](#): > > …purity…understanding, patience…kindness…Holy Spirit…sincere love…truthful speech…power of God…weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the **left…dishonor…bad report…impostors…unknown…dying…beaten…killed** A left-handed lifestyle is wholly incompatible with the Christian one and a left-handed or ambidextrous Christian is a contradiction in terms. But Paul indicated that the gospel is for these sinners too: And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (v.11). There is grace and mercy for the left-hander but he must confess his perversion and forsake it. We should pray then for the left-handed that they will repent and seek the Lord while He may be found. They are not beyond redemption. We do not condone their behaviour in any way; we strongly oppose it and warn against it. But the left handed individual also has a soul which needs God’s salvation. However far we have sunk in sin it remains gloriously true for all who repent; Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/2 "2002-09-27T13:07:40Z")
how very sinister. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/3 "2002-09-27T13:11:26Z")
Damn, I wish I’d done that. 😉 Great job, Mange! ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/4 "2002-09-27T13:56:06Z")
You think you’re kidding. I’m left-handed, and a my boss’ father, who is Greek Orthodox, was _horrified_ when he saw me write. He asked in all seriousness why that wasn’t beaten out of me as a child. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/5 "2002-09-27T13:56:20Z")
You think you’re kidding. I’m left-handed, and my boss’ father, who is Greek Orthodox, was _horrified_ when he saw me write. He asked in all seriousness why that wasn’t beaten out of me as a child. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/6 "2002-09-27T14:02:20Z")
Observe how this perversion now leads you to repeat yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Montezuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@Montezuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montezuma)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/7 "2002-09-27T14:18:05Z")
Is there a web site listing all the great (and terrible) left handers out there for me to view? Dammit Mangeout! You beat me to this thread. You see I was going to start one like this myself, being left handed and all Was Hitler Left Handed? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/8 "2002-09-27T14:22:51Z")
You are left handed too? Is this board a den of vile perverts or something? Please, turn from your evil choices and simply use the other hand; left handedness is a despicable and contemptible abomination before the Lord and those that choose this wretched depraved lifestyle do so from filthy and vulgar motives; I say this in Christian Love. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/9 "2002-09-27T14:29:02Z")
I actually had my lefthandedness forced out. I am lefthanded but write with my right. I was made to in school. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/10 "2002-09-27T14:40:33Z")
I’m not left handed, but I’ve known some left handed people. Most of them have been fairly decent. I really have no problem with what they do in private, just so they don’t use their hands in public. I like to think I’m a very tolerant person. But I really don’t think they should flaunt their lifestyle on television. And before you get all riled up, let me explain that I have small children. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/11 "2002-09-27T14:45:15Z")
OK, I’m convinced. From this day forward, I promise to whack off with the right hand only. BTW, I tried to stop using my left hand to type this sentence, but it came out like this: I i o op u in my l h n o yp hi n n , u i m ou lik hi : Do I need to modify my keyboard to avoid being condemned in the eyes of the Lord? ---
**Author:** ![Kal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de053/32.png) [@Kal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kal)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/12 "2002-09-27T14:47:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwistofFate \* > \*\*I actually had my lefthandedness forced out. > > I am lefthanded but write with my right. I was made to in school. \*\* Same for my wife, who was raised in Oregon. After suffering two fractures and three dislocations of her right wrist, along with two wrist fusions (one partial, one complete), she uses her left hand again now. Pity she has carpal tunnel syndrome in it. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/13 "2002-09-27T15:31:30Z")
My child is Lefthanded, and I was forced away from lefthandedness as a child myself! How dare you, you vile Righthand-Supremacist, attack me, or my child? What do you know of the joys of loving a child that is different, or the heartaches that come with it, too? I shall fight you, and your Righthand-Supremacist Fellow Travellers until the end of time, **Mangetout**! or at least until it’s time for lunch. Yum, _Pizza_…! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/14 "2002-09-27T15:35:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > \*\*I like to think I’m a very tolerant person. But I really don’t think they should flaunt their lifestyle on television. And before you get all riled up, let me explain that I have small children. \*\* We **must** think of the children; my own son started to show signs of obscene and wilful choice towards left-handedness before he could even walk or talk. Thankfully after many hours of devoted beating and sanctified bellowing, he is showing signs of improvement; should he momentarily forget and indulge his foul desire to pick up a pen with his left hand, he will instantly remember; hurriedly dropping the item and cowering in disgust at his own repellent transgression. I can therefore personally testify as to how miserable left-handedness renders people; how can something that causes such misery and distress possibly be a natural or valid choice? To suggest otherwise is a loathsome insult to God, and I say this with all moderate respect. ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/15 "2002-09-27T15:42:00Z")
I’m sure I’ll be jumped all over because of how PC this board is and how you all hate me. It’s very politically correct to say that left-handedness and podi-philia are supposedly unconnected, but isn’t it just a little bit strange how people who like to give foot massages use their left hands? And before you get all up in arms, some of my best friends are left-handed. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/16 "2002-09-27T15:45:26Z")
**Tranquilis** : Although I respect your right to hold an incorrect, pathetic and corrupt opinion, I am compelled by love to judgmentally compel you to repent these depraved, worthless, putrid, offensive, objectionable, repellent behaviours 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/17 "2002-09-27T15:45:27Z")
> [@](#): > > How dare you, you vile Righthand-Supremacist, attack me, or my child? I don’t think anyone is attacking you or your child. We love your child. We just hate his hand. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/18 "2002-09-27T15:51:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Drastic \* > \*\*I’m sure I’ll be jumped all over because of how PC this board is and how you all hate me. It’s very politically correct to say that left-handedness and podi-philia are supposedly unconnected, but isn’t it just a little bit strange how people who like to give foot massages use their left hands? > > And before you get all up in arms, some of my best friends are left-handed. \*\* It is a well-known [fact](http://www.ao.net/~jmo/john/personal/badchoice.html) that 78% of left-handers do not actively discourage podophilia. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/19 "2002-09-27T16:37:15Z")
😃 Esprix ---
**Author:** ![No\_Dragons\_Here](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@No\_Dragons\_Here](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Dragons_Here)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2002, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854/20 "2002-09-27T16:54:11Z")
Love the hand, hate the handedness! No mention above was made of the horrors of being ambisinister footwise, for which I have been denounced many times. Clearly the antipodophilic expression above is in someway related. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-handedness-what-should-we-think/129854.md?page=2)