Grand Rapids Press Omits Other Side in Report on Bible Lawsuit

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You can’t make this stuff up. The online version of the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Press reported on Wednesday that a homosexual man has filed lawsuits filed against two Christian publishers, since their editions of the Bible call homosexuality a sin.

A Canton [Michigan] man is suing Zondervan Publishing and a Tennessee-based publisher, claiming their versions of the Bible that refer to homosexuality as a sin violate his constitutional rights and have caused him emotional pain and mental instability.

Bradley LaShawn Fowler, 39, is seeking $60 million from Zondervan, based in Cascade Township, and $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing in the lawsuits filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

In the unsigned report, the newspaper gave only the liberal viewpoint of the plaintiff and failed to include any reaction or response from the companies or from conservative sources.

The Press included two quotes from Fowler’s lawsuit against Zondervan:

Fowler alleges Zondervan's Bibles referring 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 intent of the publisher was 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 wrote.

The report also quoted District Court Judge Julian Abele Cook, Jr., who wrote that “[t]he Court has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of these claims.” However, the report did not give any quotes from representatives of either Zondervan or Thomas Nelson.

This one-sided reporting on the part of the Grand Rapids Press might lead one to conclude that the editors there must not see this as a frivolous lawsuit.

—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.


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Exactly what "Constitutional rights" are violated by publishing?

Publishing ANYTHING let alone the bible can not be a violation of anyone's rights according to the 1st Amendment.

 

The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.

i don't know i gotta bad

i don't know

i gotta bad feeling about this...(shiver)...

I'd like to know...

...What the actual text is. 

I am familiar with Leviticus 20:13 (King James)
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them
have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their
blood shall be upon them."

But that's been around for quite a while.  Did the publishers change this?  Is the plaintiff suddenly under some sort of new pressure?  Or did he just figure out that The Bible takes a dim view of homosexuality, and doesn't quibble about saying so?

http://bible.cc/leviticus/20-13.htm

This is a site listing MANY versions of the Bible and what they included on the subject.   It's almost unaltered through all the versions.

I somehow doubt that the publishers made a new and radical departure.

 

 

These passages state the acts of homosexuality are a sin.

In the NT:

We know that the law is good, provided that one uses it as law with the understanding that law is meant not for a righteous person but
for the lawless and unruly, the godless and sinful, the unholy and
profane, those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers,the unchaste, practicing homosexuals, kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching, 1 Timothy 1:8-10

Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor
adulterers nor boy prostitutes, nor sodomites, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10

www.theholyrosary.org

"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia

@heldmyw

Someone who interviewed him or reported on the case put the following example in their blog:

In 1970, I Corinthians 6:9 read as followed-
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulteres, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effiminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.
In 1982 ,the same scripture read like this-
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodimites.
In 2001 the same scripture reads like this-
Surely you know that the people who do wrong will not inherit God’s kingdom. Do not be fooled, those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, those who are male prostitutes, or men who have sexual relations with other men, those who steal, are greedy, get drunk, lie about others, or rob thses (sic) people will not inherit God’s kingdom.

I suspect there are other passages that he has complaints about, but this is an example.

As I commented in a reply to motherbelt below, he's trying to draw attention to his most recent book, and this suit just looks like a cheap advertising campaign.


"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

www.conservativebootcamp.com

Here is what Strong's

Here is what Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says about "effeminate" in 1st Corinthians 6:9:

Greek - malakos

1) soft, soft to the touch

2) metaph. in a bad sense

a) effeminate

1) of a catamite

2) of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man

3) of a male who submits his body to unnatural

lewdness

4) of a male prostitute

"Effeminate" is in the old King James Version. The newer New King James Version, published in 1982, says "homosexual" but the Greek word is the same.

"There is none so blind as they that won’t see."
Jonathan Swift 1667-1745

2 words to stop this cold

"Loser pays."
JMR

The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.

→ good approach, sarc

But it seems the ACLU is usually the first on the scene to prosecute their goliath complex on the rural schoolhouse.

It gets past first base every time.

  • LYDSEXICS UNTIE

Editor?

It's ironic to see this post appear immediately after Matt S's questions regarding discussion of religion.

if they keep this up...matt

if they keep this up...matt may have to ban his co-workers from posting here:(

he means business people

So what the hell...

Are we suppose to do now, rewrite the bible so that Gays and lesbians won't feel bad about thier life style? Yeah picture that happening.

This dude needs to man up (pun intended) and accept the fact that not every one approves of thier life choices.

I think we all need to chip in and take this guy to a nice (female) strip club. Single bills only we need to make this last. :-)

"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."

What about the murderers,

What about the murderers, thieves, and adulterers? Are they going to sue because the bible refers to these as sins too?

Get a grip...God laid out these laws for a reason, if you chose to turn your back on them, go ahead...but be prepared for the consequences.

www.theholyrosary.org

"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia

No Win Situation

Yet, the homosexuals argue that the Bible doesn't address homosexuality because the scriptures used against it have been misinterpreted.

Obama says we Christian

Obama says we Christian conservatives should NOT use the traditional interpretation of the Bible when it comes to homosexuality.

"There is none so blind as they that won’t see."
Jonathan Swift 1667-1745

what matters is God's

what matters is God's interpretation:)

this is what libs just don't get

So what are they going to

So what are they going to do next, sue God? One day, a suit like this will go all the way to The Supreme Court, and I am not talking about the one in Washington DC. Mr. Fowler, suing in this fashion will not ease your conscience, nor will it change the Book which has come down to us over many centuries, nor will it make your sin right. However, given the apostate nature of many judges in this country, it might win you some money. But what is that compared to the price of your soul?

"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." - C.S. Lewis

Already been done.

http://www.ketv.com/news/14133442/detail.html

Although it was to prove a point about frivolous lawsuits.

www.theholyrosary.org

"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia

Oh I remember that well. I

Oh I remember that well. I love Ernie Chambers. He was a state senator from right here in Omaha for about 37 years. That is until term limits (which some say was put into place specifically to finally get him out of office) kicked in and ended his tenure in our Unicameral. He was the best. Liberal as the day is long. I miss him!

Matthew I think you are wrong

Matthew I think you are wrong on at least one point and fail to point out something crucial to NB readers. 

Grand Rapids, MI is also known as God's country.  This city has a huge population of the Christian Reform faith.  The story was put in the paper and will no doubt be the topic of many letters to the editor.  It comes on the heals of a reporter writing a personal column•
View of gay marriage changes when it's personal . This column received 1000's of letters.  The GR Press depends upon and caters to the Christians in the community. 

That being said, I did not see any need on the part of the publishers,  to respond to the judge.  I think that the words used toward Mr.  Fowler speak for themself.  It would be my guess that his own book, Reconcilation with the G.O.A.T.God of All Truth,  may have come up in the courtroom.  He wrote a book and it seems that he wants his lawsuit to coincide with the message of his book, hence the use of the word efficacy.

Can you say "Free Publicity

Can you say "Free Publicity for Book"?????

In Canada, a man put up a billboard with the above-mentioned scripture from Leviticus and was required to take it down, as it was "hate speech."

Coming soon to a town near you....

 

Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson

Thank You MB

I was just going to post that.  The man in question has written a book that his promotional website claims exposes "hidden secrets bible publishers have fought feverishly to keep hidden from the general public for centuries."  Apparently he became a bit of biblical expert while a guest of the Michigan Department of Corrections.  His book promo website is also hyping the two lawsuits he has outstanding for a total of $70MM.

Not to worry though folks, he's representing himself, which as we all know is such a good idea. (/removing tongue from cheek)

My question is whether the publishers are going to counter-sue to recover the legal costs they incur in defending themselves, or whether they will consider that a bad PR move and just absorb the cost.  I'm thinking the latter, but hoping the former.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

www.conservativebootcamp.com

I doubt Zondervan will sue

I highly doubt Zondervan will sue him.  Yes it is a waste of their money, but they have a great reputation in the community for their generosity and I don't see them traveling down that path.  If the suit does go to court and Zondervan wins, which they will, or if the suit gets dismissed, which I am sure it will, that may be payment enough for the company.

@ Pam

Even moreso, Grand Rapids is the home of one of the publishers being sued by this fellow, Zondervan, Inc. and they are a large contributor to local events, and a big taxpayer/employer in the area.  By the way, Fowler has a new book that he's flogging "365 Reasons To Study The Bible" and these suits are being heavily touted at his book website, which would lend credence to the idea that this is just a cheapo advertising stunt.


"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

- Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

www.conservativebootcamp.com

I think it is a stunt

I have no doubt this is a stunt.  The book I referenced hadn't even had a reader review at Amazon and it came out last year.  This will not see trial because if it does, every book bashing a Republican or Democrat, our POTUS or a dictator, a newsperson or celebrity, will all be called into question.  Obviously the Bible is not to be lumped into the same category as my examples, but I used them to show that the First Amendment applies to all topics.

I detest NAMBLA with every ounce of my being, but they have a constitutional right to publish their materials.  Zondervan publishes Bibles and many other Christian resources, and although many may not agree with the topic,  Zondervan is well within their Constitutional right to do so.

  I know I've brought this

  I know I've brought this up a couple of times already but they should make this man prove he is a homosexual.  Engaging in homosexual conduct is not proof.  In fact, there is no legal establishment of homosexuality.  It's all based on self testimony.  Heck, if there's enough money in it I'll tell the court I'm a homosexual too.

Just more attempts to quash

Just more attempts to quash religion and purge it from society.  The idea of following a fundamental and unchanging faith is repulsive to these far left psycho cases.

That being said, the seatbelt in my car has caused me great pain and discomfort-- I think I shall sue my car's manufacturer for $60 million because of all that pain and discomfort.

"Grand Rapids Press Omits

"Grand Rapids Press Omits Other Side in Report on Bible Lawsuit"

Obviously, the other side is covered in Part 2 of this one part series.

McNotObama '08

Premarital Sex is a worse sin than Homosexual Sex

God does not like people playing Roulette with procreation.


Obama's Real Religion Too bad McCain is a fellow worshipper

What about 'premarital

What about 'premarital homosexual sex'

?45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm

  What about beastiality

  What about beastiality extramarital homosexual sex?

→ Yeah

And what about if it's for the furtherance of science.

  • LYDSEXICS UNTIE

Where's proof of that?

Where's proof of that? From what I've read in the bible they have the same punishment...you don't receive eternal life if you don't repent.

www.theholyrosary.org

"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia

Proof in everyday life buddy

Some sins are harder to repent of then others, therefore they are worse. 


Obama's Real Religion Too bad McCain is a fellow worshipper

Umm, sorry, I don't buy

Umm, sorry, I don't buy that.  How do I know?  Guilty!! Forgiven!! and Blessed beyond my wildest imagination!

"Always remember that you are unique.  Just like everybody else." --despair.com

Greater Sin is not forgiving others.

I have found this sin to be hard to overcome.  Maybe this why Jesus said it is the greater sin.


Obama's Real Religion Too bad McCain is a fellow worshipper

Scripture?? I have read the

Scripture?? I have read the Bible quite a bit and I have never seen Christ say that fornication is the biggest sin.

"Always remember that you are unique.  Just like everybody else." --despair.com

Daniel Baker....I am not

Daniel Baker....I am not aware of one sin being worse than another. To many people get hung up on that. "Well, thats not as bad as...." In reality, sin is sin and will cause seperation from God which will lead to eternity. All sin can be forgiven.

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

God can not save someone in their sins

If someone finds it hard to stop doing a sin it is worse than another sin that they can ask for forgiveness of and turn from quickly.

When you hurt others with your sin like a child it would be better that a millstone were hung around your neck and you were drowned.  Which makes it a worse sin.


Obama's Real Religion Too bad McCain is a fellow worshipper

ALL sin can be

ALL sin can be forgiven...thus the..."Go and sin no more." Repentance is just that, and forgivness is just that...as God forgave David, Adam....ect., ect., ect. Just because someone comits the same sin after seeking forgivness for that sin...again. God looks for a contrite heart. Not to say, you make a habit of it, but you get the idea. If what you said was true, no man on earth would be saved. After all, just looking at a woman and thinking some thoughts, is adultry, and sometimes you think it, before you catch yourself.

Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!

I feel repentance is a commitment to never sin again

God judges the heart to see if you are really commited to turning from a sin.  Some sins are hard to have a true conviction to never do it again.  Once you sin again you have to get that same conviction not to do it again which can be hard.  

I feel we are in agreement, however I think some sins make it harder to have a contirte heart thus they are worse to me.


Obama's Real Religion Too bad McCain is a fellow worshipper

If God has to defend His

If God has to defend His word in court, where will He get a lawyer, they are mighty scarce up there.

coco... Cracking up

coco...

Cracking up laughing...that was a good zinger....

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

be prepared

It's only a matter of time before the Bible stops being printed here altogether.

it's not the first century

it's not the first century they've tried it and it won't be the last

it's the definition of insanity 

Jesus,

after all, he is the Wonderful Counselor

Let's Be Honest...

The bible has already been edited so many times to omit what no longer served a purpose for the church. This book isn't so much the word of god as it is the edited word of god...now I'm not dissing this book that many people here love and respect.  I understand that it is a keystone to many's people's lives even if not my own.

Really, jquam?

We could get into quite a debate on this topic, but I'm sure all of NB will join me in saying we appreciate your well thought out opinion.

LYDSEXICS UNTIE

Cool--> That was

Cool-->

That was smooth.  If I were moderating the site I would give you 2 free passes to insult someone at your own discression.

"Always remember that you are unique.  Just like everybody else." --despair.com

→ Thanks amber

I've undergone something of a makeover.  Nothing I say could possibly be seen as controversial anymore.

I just hope my reply was received in the spirit intended.

  • LYDSEXICS UNTIE

Some one pass Cool a towel.

Some one pass Cool a towel. He has sarcasm dripping from his keyboard.

You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

→ Moi'

See, I've even begun my "Rosetta Stone" French lessons in obeisance to Senator Obama's suggestion.

  • LYDSEXICS UNTIE

Cool, your reply was

Cool, your reply was perfect.  It was cutting and yet, non-confrontational at the same time.

"Always remember that you are unique.  Just like everybody else." --despair.com

I'm feeling the love around

I'm feeling the love around here

it's just like i dreamed it would be:)!

Hey, I think you just

Hey, I think you just insulted me, wanna fight?

45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm

think what you like,

think what you like, man!

far be it from me to discuss your r*l*g*ous beliefs:)

Well here's my issue...

Whatever I offer to you...you will look down on...just like whatever you offer me....I could care less...

http://av1611.com/kjbp/charts/various.html

http://www.islam4all.com/omission2.htm

Anyway...my well thought out opinion is simply this...I have respect for those who have faith.  I have faith in an omnipresent being but not through a religion or church...many religions have skewered histories (lets not forget Pope Alexander VI) that at one point or another have taken advantage of their position with the public...slavery, tithing, etc. This doesn't represent the true nature behind the idea of god for me...I can't support these institutions.  I know that my lifestyle is natural and if the church can't support it then I have no use for the church. I am a moral person...I don't agree with this lawsuit, get over it...I could publish hate speech on straight people all I wish (which is faulty in this country)...but it's the sort of thing that goes nowhere.  The bible says what it says and I disagree...simple...with as much as it has changed over the years through translations I don't have a use for it. I don't expect everyone to like me...especially on this site when all that I really signed up for was to make smarta$$ comments without base or reason.  Think Well :)

The bible says what it says

The bible says what it says and I disagree...simple...with as much as it has changed over the years through translations I don't have a use for it. 

Then... 

I don't expect everyone to like me...especially on this site when all that I really signed up for was to make smarta$$ comments without base or reason.

It's about time someone lives up to their own standards on here!

You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?

Really?

Sorry, Friend...

When you read scripture today you are virtually reading the same words found on the documents at Qumran. You can't get much better than that. 

Your lack on insight on this is stunning. If you're lucky you can retract your post. The Bible has maintained remarkable fidelity when compared with the earliest manuscripts. In fact, there is no other published text that can claim the same degree of accuracy.

No if you are referring to paraphrased editions, you may have a point, but no Biblical scholar would think of using one of those.

 Lee M. Thompson

not to mention it has

not to mention it has ranslated perfectly accross all languages and version and cultures over the centuries

try that with the DaVinci code sometime:)

this is tiring

I don't know where you're getting this information from. The Dead Sea Scrolls among other documents prove that the modern Bible is the same as the original. I'm not saying this to promote one religion over another, it's just a historical fact.

New Testament documents dating back as early as 200 AD mirror the modern books with only minimal errors in spelling, grammar, or syntax.

Again, this is not just religious zeal talking, this is simple fact anyone can find online.

So unless the church had a time machine to go back and change parchments that were already centuries old, the Bible has remained the same.

now I'm not dissing this book that many people here love and respect

But you are dissing it. Don't pee on my shoes and call it rain. Saying the Bible is not the word of God is dissing it. No need to beat around the bush to prevent offense - just be honest.

And anyway, you never gave us your opinion of the lawsuit, which was the point of this article.

 

I did

I said I disagree with it...there's plenty of hate speech out there...and I could publish just about anything I wish on anyone else (hyperbole is a brilliant tactic) so why should this man worry what one book says about his lifestyle...

If the Bible is that important to him then he should come up with yet another "translation" of it and market it. ALSO, I do not mean offense...just because I pick on something important to you doesn't mean I wish to offend. I love and respect Christians...but I don't support their lifestyles.

I see

So you're going to stand by your original assertion even though it's been debunked? Nice.

Please explain how various editions of the Bible change the inherent message.

Then....

Then you explain how the bible once supported slavery and then didn't...there seams to be some change how it interpret that unchanging inherent message...

really??

The Bible supported slavery? When? You mean back in the 1850s when the evangelical right was the loudest voice against it? When Beecher funded and supplied abolitionists in the midwest? You mean when folks like John Newton and William Wilbeforce preached against slavery as a mortal sin?

Please produce evidence that the Bible supported racism in any way, shape or form.

 

it was an OT Jewish

it was an OT Jewish practice

but Jesus established a new covenent

however we still have slavery in the milder form of a modern banking, credit government and corporate system anyway

rocket science to many I'm afraid

The Qur'an is also not so

The Qur'an is also not so hot on homosexuals. 

Lawsuit #3?... nah, probably not 

SoL, excellent

SoL, excellent observation.

I won't hold my breath either. :-)

Yeah

Yeah but Islam is not the majority religion in this country...it's christians who are at the forefront of trying to stop equal rights for homosexuals. Don't worry, my gay agenda has world domination plans...but baby steps.

bible manuscripts from

bible manuscripts from thousands of years ago agree word for word with the manuscropts of today. unfortunately for muslims the kuran was written by a man so corrupt he must have been a democrat.

 

basically Muslims use the

basically Muslims use the same scripture second hand - but it's been severely distorted - being outside the purview of the Holy Spirit's care for centuries...

They want special rights

They want special rights not equal rights.  I'm a hetero but I can't marry a man either.I wish people would get it, laws are not served alacarte.  One size has to fit all. 

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985

this is too much

Yeah but Islam is not the majority religion in this country...it's christians who are at the forefront of trying to stop equal rights for homosexuals. 

First of all, I've never bought the argument that it's okay to attack one religion or another based on how popular they are.

Secondly, a lot of different people have issues with gay marriage, some agnostic, some Jewish, some Hindu, etc. so eliminating it from the church would not solve anything.

Third, the large majority of Americans are voting to ban it in states all over the place and last I checked this was a "majority rules" kind of Democracy.

And last, as the Muslim population in America continues to boom, Christians will eventually become the minority, but still the Quran will not be challenged as aggressively as the Bible, if the examples we've seen in Europe are any indication.

Don't Buy Into My BS

Jesus....you're getting heated up here...

that's your answer?

Instead of addressing my points, you reply with something snarky and then disappear? Thanks for the enlightening discussion.

a fine indication that your

a fine indication that your points hit the mark:)

like semper says - gays have the same rights I do - I can't marry a guy either:)

CD, you are correct, the

CD, you are correct, the handwriting is on the wall and we can't even read it.

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