First, sorry for misspelling shmelke.

Second, the NT warns against traditions of men, but does not say "rabbinic traditions". That means if the shoe fits, wear it. I have been told by orthodox Jews that the rabbinic traditions are not considered to be infallible. That means watch for errors. Jesus himself told his Jewish followers to obey those who sat in the seat of Moses, even if those rabbis did not keep their own rules. (Matthew 23:2) More to the point of Torah observance, the NT does warn against making literal observance of the Torah a basis for personal righteousness. The heart attitude and the new birth are the core of the Christian faith. However, literal Torah observance is not condemned and in fact is encouraged for Jews.

Exodus 22:16 doesn't have so much to do with shmelke's original question, as with the teaching of the Torah on premarital sex. Am I wrong that it says if you have sex, you get married, or pay a fine if the father won't accept it? It is not the sin that adultery is, but this simply makes casual sex forbidden, does it not? I said clearly that I agree with shmelke, except that he is wrong to assume that Christians of the red states are strong followers of Jesus. His point on Christians forbidding sin, but then providing no support system like Judaism does to help avoid it, is well taken.

Now, Sophiee, I have tried to make it clear that I do not defend what you might think are "Xian beliefs". Most of the time, I do not even agree with them, and this time is no exception. I only defend what the NT teaches, and it teaches no such thing as you mentioned in your last post.