The Christian Post reports that a homosexual man has filed a $70 million lawsuit against Bible publishers Zondervan and Thomas Nelson, alleging that references to homosexuality being a sin in versions of the Bible they publish violate his constitutional rights and has caused him emotional distress.
Are you kidding me? Talk about a frivolous suit!
Bradley LaShawn Fowler, an ex-con turned author, filed the federal suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on Monday. Fowler, who is representing himself, 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 were deleted by the publisher in later versions without informing the public.
He also 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.
First of all, Zondervan nor Thomas Nelson own the translations in question. They are simply re-publishing what others have already translated. Therefore Mr. Fowler is going after the messenger rather than the source.
Secondly, how can either of these publishers be held accountable for the version of the Bible that Mr. Fowler’s family pastor uses or the actions of his family outcasting him?
Finally, if the references to “homosexuality being a sin” offend Mr. Fowler personally, I’d say, “don’t read the Bible!” Really, I don’t visit gay clubs, read gay literature, watch gay movies and the like because it would offend me as a Christian. If you don’t like what the Bible has to say — don’t read it. This is America after all where a person has the right to choose what they do or do not believe in.
I really hope this case is thrown out of court quickly. In fact, I would like to see Mr. Fowler fined severely for even bothering the judicial system with such a frivolous suit in the first place.
