Gay man files $70m suit against Bible publishers over 'homosexual' verses
by Elena Garcia, Christian Post
Posted: Friday, July 11, 2008, 14:02 (BST)
A homosexual man has filed a $70 million lawsuit against Bible publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, alleging that their version of the Bible that refers to homosexuality as a sin violates his constitutional rights and has caused him emotional distress.
Bradley LaShawn Fowler, an ex-con turned author, filed the federal suit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on Monday, the same day a judge refused to appoint him a lawyer for his suit against Thomas Nelson, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
"The Court has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of these claims," the judge wrote.
Fowler, who is representing himself in both cases, claims that Zondervan manipulated Scripture by using the term "homosexuals" in 1 Corinthians 6:9 of their 1982 and 1987 revised edition Bibles. He also contends that the reference to homosexuality was deleted by the publisher in later versions without informing the public.
He alleges that since the older Kings James Version containing the term "homosexuals" is used by his family pastor, he has been outcast by his family.
The 39-year-old is suing the Grand Rapids publisher for compensation of 20 years of "emotional duress and mental instability", he told WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.
In a hand-written suit, Fowler lists all sorts of charges against Zondervan including malicious negligence, strict liability, malice, libel, and violating his civil rights. He filed a suit in June against Tennessee-based publisher Thomas Nelson on similar grounds. He's seeking $60 million from Zondervan and $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Zondervan issued a statement to The Christian Post that said they do not discuss ongoing litigation. The company's spokesperson Tara Powers, however, pointed out that they only publish Bibles, not translate them.
"Since Zondervan does not translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the translations we publish, we are not in a position to comment on the merits of how a word should or should not be translated," said Powers.
"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. We only publish credible translations produced by credible biblical scholars," she noted.
According to Fowler, Zondervan has 20 days to respond to the claims listed.
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Added: Friday, August 29, 2008, 8:50 (BST)
If we take out homosexual whats next murder, drunkeness, lies,stealing,coveting where does it stop. This man may be hanging himself because the right translation is "effeminate" which means even ( acting ) like a homosexual or a man who even resembles a woman is a sin. So go ahead take out homosexual and lets use effeminate. So any male who even looks, walks or talks like a female will be judged by GOD and is considered a sin. Darwin
Darwin, Sacramento
Added: Friday, July 11, 2008, 17:43 (BST)
Wow. Good luck with the lawsuit.
Ryan Nix, Oklahoma City
Added: Friday, July 11, 2008, 15:33 (BST)
LaShawn Fowler is obviously out for a quick buck (no, not a typo)! Bible translations may, at times, be flawed, but is he going to go after every ancient text that does not support homosexuality?
WILL HE GO AFTER THE QU'RAN?? I don't think so, as Christians are not going to issue fatwas against him, though it would be something to consider, if only to make pull him up! Christianity is increasingly seen as a soft target for the PC nazis these days. Still, it all there in the Revelations.
The only mental instability he seems to be displaying is the one caused by his practicing his prediliction. Let him try to sue God as, after all, He is the One who Authored the Torah, the basis of the Old Testament, and inspired the writings of the New Testament!
Zondervan, Tyndale and all the other publishers of the Bible should stick to their guns, as they only PUBLISH the Bible, not commission translations. There is no gain for any publisher to manipulate the Word, and, in any case, anyone can pick up a Bible and use the Scripture to justify their own world view - a really clever person could even attempt to prove that black is white, if they wanted to - but the Holy Spirit is not going to stand for allowing the misuse and abuse of God's Word for very long.
If the judges of this case have any integrity, then they should overrule this case and laugh it out of court. Even muslims have a level of respect for the Bible.
Chris Maguire, Ventnor, IoW
Added: Friday, July 11, 2008, 14:16 (BST)
"The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves." Romans 14:21-23 (in Context)
itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
Ron Wilson, Blowing Rock, NC, USA
