I was referring to modern times, though. Yes, it may have been potentially fatal in biblical times, but so were a great many things that probably weren't forbidden, but simply that people didn't know about. If falling on the street and having your arm potentially drenched in urine and feces was such a hazard, then why didn't God impose better sanitation laws?

Okay, now even I know that's stretching it a little. My point was simply that the bible was written by man, claiming the words inside were God's. Sadly. I don't doubt that a great many things in the bible hold true for good life lessons and whatnot, though. But having not been there when it was written, I can't say for sure what was written by man and what was given by God.

And as I said in my comment below, there's a big difference from having your cut arm soaked with unmentionable materials, and having a few stray pieces of fecal matter where there may be a tear. Probably was a tear if lubrication wasn't involved, but still.

I agree with the fact that it may have been much more dangerous in old times, and that may have been why it was forbidden. But looking at it in a modern light, when we know more and can protect more against infection, that doesn't explain why people are still so anal about the issue, if you'll pardon the pun.

Other than that people as a whole are jerks, anyway.