Bible Publishers Sued For Anti-Gay References

[Lightkeeper]

Bible Publishers Sued for Anti-Gay References

Thursday, July 10, 2008 10:51 AM

By: Rick Pedraza Article Font Size

A Michigan man is seeking $70 million from two Christian publishers for emotional distress and mental instability he received during the past 20 years from versions of the Bible that refer to homosexuality as a sin.


Bradley LaShawn Fowler, a gay man, claims his constitutional rights were infringed upon by Zondervan Publishing Co. and Thomas Nelson Publishing, both of which, he claims, deliberately caused homosexuals to suffer by misinterpretation of the Bible.

Fowler, 39, is seeking $60 million from Zondervan and another $10 million from Thomas Nelson.

According to a USA Today report, Fowler’s two separate suits against the publishers claim the intent of the Bible revisions that refer to homosexuals as sinners reflect an individual opinion or a group's conclusion.

Fowler says the deliberate changes made to first Corinthians, chapter six, verse nine caused him "or anyone who is a homosexual to endure verbal abuse, discrimination, episodes of hate, and physical violence ... including murder."

Fowler, who is representing himself in both lawsuits, claims the publishers are misinterpreting the Bible by specifically using the word homosexuals, which made him an outcast from his family and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of demoralization, chaos and bewilderment.

“These are opinions based on the publishers and they are being embedded in the religious structure as a way of life," he tells a local NBC TV station affiliate in Grand Rapids.

Fowler admits that every Bible printed is a translation that can be interpreted in many ways, but he says specifically using the word “homosexual” is not a translation but a change.

Fowler says Zondervan Bibles published in the ‘80s used the word homosexuals among a list of those who are “wicked' or unrighteous and won't inherit the kingdom of heaven.”

Zondervan, for its part, issued a statement to the Grand Rapids press stating it does not translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the translations it publishes

“We rely on the scholarly judgment of the highly respected and credible translation committees behind each translation and never alter the text of the translations we are licensed to publish,” the statement reads.

“We only publish credible translations produced by credible Biblical scholars.”

U.S. District Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr., who will hear Fowler’s case against Thomas Nelson, says the court “has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of [Fowler’s] claims.

Newsmax.com - Bible Publishers Sued for Anti-Gay References

Do you think this man has a case?

[Nick_A]

Just wait until the National Organization of Women hears about this. Then they will sue the publishers of the gospel of Thomas for having the audacity to include the infamous #114

(114) Simon Peter said to him, "Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life."
Jesus said, "I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven."

Hmmmm......Maybe I can make a buck off of the rejection of acceptance of the Armenian Genocide. It caused enough aggravation. Who should I sue?

Humanity! What a crew.

[evangelicalhumanist]

Not much of a case, I should think. I notice that he is representing himself, and you know what they say about the man who represents himself -- he "has a fool for a client."

I shouldn't wonder if any court this comes before throws it out as vexatious.

The plain fact of the matter is that the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, makes quite explicit pronouncements about homosexual behavior, and those pronouncements are difficult to read as anything except that God (or the writers of the Bible) thought it was sin.

Many Christians have gotten over that, because many Christians understand that the Bible is the work of men, however they might have been inspired. And that allows for interpretation in the light of present understanding. Many quite excellent pieces of exegesis have found homosexuality to be acceptable on different readings. And then they move on. (See "A Letter to Louise: A Biblical Affirmation of Homosexuality" by Reverend Bruce Lowe for one example.)

Gays aren't going to do themselves any favours by backing silly efforts like this.

[angeleyes]

I'm glad to read your post on this, EH. I feel the gay population deserves our utmost attention at this time (because we are just now turning the corner). But I agree that the case is a little farfetched. I think the issue itself it important, and the personal story behind it. But I'm very tired of the lawsuits that seek retribution from someone, anyone.

The important thing is that we as humanity realize what we are doing to ourselves, our children, our friends, etc. The gift is in the realization - that we can live our lives differently.

[cardero]

I once spilled hot coffee on myself while reading the horrifying fate of Sodom and Gemorrah.

[vivamis123]

Sue them! LOL

I think this man has a valid point...if he has a legal case...I don't think so. Never the less, maybe this will get people thinking.

[Astreja]

This 'suing the Bible' trend could get profoundly silly.

"Your Honour, I would like $53,249,628.98 in compensation for the bulldozer operators I had to hire when the mountain refused to fly into the sea as advertised..."

[sendy47]

Originally Posted by Astreja

This 'suing the Bible' trend could get profoundly silly.

"Your Honour, I would like $53,249,628.98 in compensation for the bulldozer operators I had to hire when the mountain refused to fly into the sea as advertised..."

you just might be on to something......all the money the churches have taken in over the years...they i am sure would have plenty to pay to all who have claims...we have run out of people with money that are sueable...so what a better place to open a new door for law suits...who knows this could be a laywers dream for job security ....oh this is just all so wrong...

[mooomooo]

Hi sendy47 .

Hi cardero .

Hi ,,ummn hi ..., ummn,,

Ummn ,,,bye .

lol .

Just kidding lol . I am so busy with God these days ,, l haven't had time to discuss God lol .

Seriously of course l am very busy these days and l miss you guys here at this fine Site .

" cardero '' ,, l had no idea you had such an interesting Spiritual history and when l have time l am going to read your stuff such as ''conversation with God '' etc .

This topic of 'God for Gays' is certainly worthy of respect in debate as today the Gay lifestyle is everywhere almost .

Just now l have heard of this Law suit whatever and it seems there are many reasons and there will be many results coming from this which is surely getting much attention , as it should , l assume .

Have a great weekend , my friends here ,as me and my new puppy will also.

Ron and Four Paws,
'' ruff ruff''.

[Astreja]

Say 'hi' to your new puppy from us, mooomooo!

I've been pondering this lawsuit, and I don't think that Mr. Fowler is going to have an easy time of it in court. Even if he wins, I doubt he'll get the millions of dollars he's asking for.

If he could demonstrate that the publisher had deliberately sought out gay-unfriendly translations, he might have a case under any hate-crime legislation in the jurisdiction... But proving something like that would be next to impossible if the books have been in print for a long time.