A homosexual man who has a blog on Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign website is suing two major Christian publishers for violating his constitutional rights and causing emotional pain, because the Bible versions they publish refer to homosexuality as a sin.
Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, of Canton, Mich., is seeking $60 million from Zondervan and another $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing in lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Grand Rapids Press reported.
Fowler filed his claim against Grand Rapids-based Zondervan Monday, alleging its Bibles’ references to homosexuality as a sin have made him an outcast from his family and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of “demoralization, chaos and bewilderment,” the paper said.
He filed suit against Tennessee publisher Thomas Nelson in June.
Zondervan says that even if Fowler’s claim is credible, he’s suing the wrong party. A company spokesman told WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids that Zondervan doesn’t translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the translations but relies, instead, on the “scholarly judgment of credible translation committees.”
U.S. District Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr. refused Monday to appoint an attorney to represent Fowler in the Thomas Nelson case, saying the court “has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of these claims.”
Fowler, who is representing himself in both lawsuits, says in his complaint against Zondervan that the publisher intended to design a religious, sacred document to reflect an individual opinion or a group’s conclusion to cause “me or anyone who is a homosexual to endure verbal abuse, discrimination, episodes of hate, and physical violence … including murder
Fowler alleges both Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, with its King James Bible, manipulated Scripture without informing the public by using the term “homosexuals” in a New Testament passage, 1 Corinthians 6:9.
He told the Grand Rapids TV station in an interview he wants to “compensate for the past 20 years of emotional duress and mental instability.”
Zondervan, he contended, is misinterpreting the Bible.
“These are opinions based on the publishers,” Fowler said. “And they are being embedded in the religious structure as a way of life
In my humble opinion, Fowler is a bit off his spiritual rocker. He should just cut to the chase and sue God. (didn’t someone do that?) God has more money anyway.
Filed under: Bible, Christianity | Tagged: Bibles, bisexual, Bradley Fowler, gay, God, Lesbian, lesbians, queer, religion, Suing bible publishers, What would Jesus say?
He would be remiss if he did not also sue the publishes of the Koran for the extremist interpretations of Wahhabi zealots.
I think I may get what he is trying to do, but I think he is going about it in the wrong way. While it will cause a stir, the potential backlash may outweigh any benefits.
I can understand his contention, but Zondervan is in the right here. Editions of the Bible, such as the NIV, the Living Bible, Etc, are all written by committees of translators. Individual publishers have no REAL say in how it is written. He could possibly sue the NIV committee and so on and so forth, but there are a LOT of interpretations of the Bible… the interpreters would cite years of historical interpretation backing their wording, at which point the poor guy would have to sue Moses.
And we all know how well THAT would go over in court… *sigh*
I hope he does get something out of it. Not that
much but maybe a couple million.
HUGS!!!
My solution is to just say no to religion.
what an interesting lawsuit…it will make everyone pause and think a little…going to put up a link for it on the blog.
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a little wacky if you ask me but interesting nonetheless
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Thanks you all for your comments. I’ve been out of pocket for the past couple of days and am just now catching up.
LINDSEY–lol, Moses. People are strange. If I were going to sue a publisher for a reason I’d sue play boy, or Hustler for degrading women thus furthering societies sexualized view of women.
ED–or the publishers of any religious book. I’d go for L. Ron Hubbard, he totally screwed Tom Cruise and I used to like his movies.
W.V. –I agree he’s going about it the wrong way. Doesn’t he have any friends who will tell him this?
LAURIE–I think all he’s going to get is a few news stories.
QUEER–wacky ker smacky in the noodle.
Ceara,
I just got back from a bible retreat. I also did some mission work witnessing to young kids at bible camps.
I’ve been praying for you while I was gone. Hoping that God would soften your heart, and let you hear His words and His calling to you.
I have faith that one day you will answer his call.
Mr. Fowler, he is taking his anger out on publishers I think he is looking for an excuse to become rich.
He can sue all he likes, that does not change Gods word. Being angry and hurt by peoples reactions does not change Gods truth.
I feel sorry for this man that he thinks suing the publisher will absolve his anger.
Mr. Fowlers motivation is money. Not what the bible says.
Sane
Sane, I too have been praying that God will soften your heart and let you hear his words of Love and comfort.
Wvhillcountry,
Thank you for your prayers.
Sane