'Gay' man sues $70 million for emotional distress because homosexuality cast as sin

WND ^ | July 9th, 2008

[Raineygoodyear]

A homosexual man is suing a major Christian publisher for violating his constitutional rights and causing emotional pain, because its Bible versions 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 yesterday, 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. Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr. refused 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."

[SunkenCiv]

Zondervan faces $60M federal lawsuit over Bible, homosexuality
WOOD TV Grand Rapids, MI | July 8, 2008 10:58 PM | Tony Tagliavia
Posted on 07/08/2008 8:27:57 PM PDT by MaryFromMichigan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042753/posts

[LetMarch]

I like what 1 Peter 4:12-19 says; “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some thing strange happened to you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye shall be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a theif, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin with us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scareeely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

[free_life]

He will have eternity to wish he had heeded the bible.

[LetMarch]

Amen & Amen !!!!!
Very few men know what the Holy Scriptures say sin is, its says:
1) A high look, and a proud heart and the plowing of the wicked is sin. (Proverbs 21:4)
2) The thought of foolishness is sin......(Proverbs 24:9)
3)........for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
4) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)
5) Whossoever commitheth sin transgresseth also the law, for sin is the trangression of the law. (1 John 3:4)
6) All unrighteousness is sin.......(1 John 5:17)
7) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
8)Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:15)
9) For the wages of sin death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Yes, praise God, He has made a way of escape for all of us sinners, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. And it is all written in His Word, the Holy Bible.

[ViLaLuz]

He might as well sue Mohammed, too.

[JoJo Gunn]

Such irony. He favors the troubled guy from Different Strokes.  

[esquirette]

Thanks! Shouldn’t you be hosting a lawyer ping? I think the FR lawyers ought to get together and make a difference. Is there such a thing?

[NoLibZone]

It can only cause distress if he believes the source.

And if he believes the source, then he is a sinner with no grounds.

[razorback-bert]

I am going to sue too, there are a bunch of other guy’s wives I covet.

[DaveyB]

I don’t think it has any chance of being successful anywhere, but actually I would think it has more chance of a hearing in the “litigation-happy” US.

From the recently enacted Colorado HB200
SECTION 8. 24-34-701. Publishing of discriminative matter forbidden.

No person, being the owner, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent, or employee of any place of public accommodation... shall publish, issue, circulate, send, distribute, give away, or display in any way, manner, or shape or by any means or method, except as provided in this section, any communication, paper, poster, folder, manuscript, book, pamphlet, writing, print, letter, notice, or advertisement of any kind, nature, or description that is intended or calculated to discriminate or actually discriminates against... SEXUAL ORIENTATION, marital status... in the matter of furnishing or neglecting or refusing to furnish to them or any one of them any lodging, housing, schooling, or tuition or any accommodation, right [marriage], privilege [adoption], advantage, or convenience... on account of... SEXUAL ORIENTATION, marital status... [which] is unwelcome or objectionable or not acceptable, desired, or solicited.

If he files a criminal suit in Colorado, the law is on his side.

[Darren McCarty]

Fowler, who is representing himself in both lawsuits

An attorney who represents himself as a fool for a client. I hope the defendant's attorney plays hardball and sanctions him.

$60 million for Emotional Distress due to other people's reactions based on this translation of the Bible? That doesn't make any sense from a logical or legal standpoint. I don't think this makes it to trial. I wouldn't take this case, and I have a rather libertarian standpoint when it comes to gay related issues.

[Darren McCarty]

Thanks for that post. The first thing that came through my head reading this was rule 11, but I wasn't sure how it applied to those with a fool for a client.

I ASSUME this is intended to be a diversity case (with the publisher in Tennessee and two other parties in Michigan) and not a federal question. I'm not sure however since I've only seen the news articles, not the claims.