Purity is holiness that is a whole and complete. Much of Leviticus deals with physical perfection, as the physical body was thought to exemplify one’s wholeness/act as a “perfect container” (53). Further, in a social context, “mixing” between social classes insinuated a confusion of order. Therefore, such mixing could be seen as a lack of wholeness or impurity because it disturbed the order which God instructed His people to keep. I think the context of “social classes” here is important, though, because I would think (and hope) it is more of a distinction between God’s people vs. pagans, for example, not classes delimited by wealth.
God requires the maintenance of purity not simply as a contruct, but because the laws regarding purity reveal a deeper truth about how God created us to live. Regarding hygiene, for example, as Douglas puts it, “Dirt offends against order. Removing it is not a negative movement, but a positive effort to organise the environment” (2). This relates to God’s prescribed duty for us — creating and ordering. The laws regarding cleanliness are not like those of a primitive religion, where acts of bathing and cleaning are done to ward off spirits (33). However, it can also be said that our western practices of hygiene are not purely a means to reduce dirt/germs based on medical knowledge/aesthetics; they are just as symbolic as cultural practices in Japan that involve removing leather sandals and washing the feet before entering a temple or house. Our standards of hygiene and beauty revolve heavily around social norms, which are engrained in our pysche from the time we are born. Adhering to a certain hygienic norm is a symbol of the culture in which one lives in this way. Therefore, it could be considered a sign of holiness and worship to adhere to the purity laws which God puts forth.
So, the logic of the laws we encounter relating to purity is that they are a social regulation the embodies God’s will to His people on Earth. In this way, followers of God are keeping His will as well as distinguishing themselves from non-believers through their actions.
Kelsey's Foundations of Theology Responses 
I really liked the emphasis that you placed on the social aspect of following these rules, and that being impure and pure sets Israel apart. I also agree that to a certain degree, our hygiene routines tend to be symbolic cultural practices as well. These routines define much of what a culture values.
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I really enjoyed your analysis of Douglas’ piece, I agree with all of the points you brought up. I especially liked your definition of purity, because I personally struggled coming up with an accurate definition. Based on this definition and your interpretation of the text, what do you think the definition of impurity is?
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In your second paragraph, you focus on the fact that purity laws aren’t mean to necessarily control, but they exist to reveal deeper truth about our relationship with God. I think this point is essential to understanding purity in the Judeo-Christian context. It all ties back to Genesis, in which we were made by God and meant to continue that creation with God.
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