Bible Publishers Sued for Anti-Gay References

Thursday, July 10, 2008 10:51 AM
By: Rick Pedraza

A Michigan man is seeking $70 million from two Christian publishers for emotional distress and mental instability he received during the past 20 years from versions of the Bible that refer to homosexuality as a sin.

Bradley LaShawn Fowler, a gay man, claims his constitutional rights were infringed upon by Zondervan Publishing Co. and Thomas Nelson Publishing, both of which, he claims, deliberately caused homosexuals to suffer by misinterpretation of the Bible.

Fowler, 39, is seeking $60 million from Zondervan and another $10 million from Thomas Nelson.

According to a USA Today report, Fowler’s two separate suits against the publishers claim the intent of the Bible revisions that refer to homosexuals as sinners reflect an individual opinion or a group's conclusion.

Fowler says the deliberate changes made to first Corinthians, chapter six, verse nine caused him "or anyone who is a homosexual to endure verbal abuse, discrimination, episodes of hate, and physical violence ... including murder."

Fowler, who is representing himself in both lawsuits, claims the publishers are misinterpreting the Bible by specifically using the word homosexuals, which made him an outcast from his family and contributed to physical discomfort and periods of demoralization, chaos and bewilderment.

“These are opinions based on the publishers and they are being embedded in the religious structure as a way of life," he tells a local NBC TV station affiliate in Grand Rapids.

Fowler admits that every Bible printed is a translation that can be interpreted in many ways, but he says specifically using the word “homosexual” is not a translation but a change.

Fowler says Zondervan Bibles published in the ‘80s used the word homosexuals among a list of those who are “wicked' or unrighteous and won't inherit the kingdom of heaven.”

Zondervan, for its part, issued a statement to the Grand Rapids press stating it does not translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the translations it publishes

“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,” the statement reads.

“We only publish credible translations produced by credible Biblical scholars.”

U.S. District Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr., who will hear Fowler’s case against Thomas Nelson, says the court “has some very genuine concerns about the nature and efficacy of [Fowler’s] claims."

© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Comments

  1. Anonymous22:55

    Hello CoH,

    Just like in the days of Noah:

    Genesis 6:5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

    6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

    7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.



    Matthew 24:37
    As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

    Luke 17:26
    "Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous20:17

    Zondervan Publishing Co. and Thomas Nelson Publishing did not write the Bible. The Bible is God's Word which came directly from God. The Bible specifically states: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2Tim3:16)…

    It is just like our pastor tells us, "If I say something in my sermon which troubles you in your spirit, it is not me talking to you it is God talking to you telling you changes are needed within yourself." Could it be God talking to him about being homosexual? Hmmm one has to wonder.

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  3. This is very sad, but not surprising in a nation intent on the worship of money or self. There is no end of ways to use anything to grab for the self. The self is the thing that ruins us all!
    If he works alone he is very sad, but if he is doing this on behalf of an organisation it is too be expected. Enemies of Christianity will attack from all sides.

    Lord, forgive him and open his heart to you through what he has read in your book!

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  4. The devil uses his cohorts to accuse the children of God, but what is of God will stand.
    My God deliver this man and help him to see the light.
    My prayer is that through this he will come to know Jesus

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  5. Anonymous18:19

    keep getting the word out .Ehp 1:2 to you and your family.will be back.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Let him go ahead and sue,he will definitely reap the fruit of shame and total disgrace.Moreover,the devil gave him up to a reprobate mind,so why won't he do that which the devil wishes him to do.

    May God deliver him and show him he's salvation.

    Shalom!

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  7. Anonymous07:13

    first of all i recongnise that Fowler has a foul spirit in him....if he'll surreder for deliverance he can be delivered cos he still feels the pangs and pain of sin. I won't be surprised if he won the lawsuit against the Bible publishers.........but i promise you...... he'll spend the 70 million dollars in HELL FIRE!!!

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  8. Sister Kings Kid the great news is that we have the Bible as a standard so we need not worry.

    Godbless you sis you are so kind

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  10. Sis Valerie you ahve just quoted the word of God which is our standard.
    God's Word is true.

    Godbless

    ReplyDelete
  11. Adullamite, you read my mind... my point exactly. thank you sir you are alwways so full of wisdom and understanding.
    I hope we take note

    Godbless

    ReplyDelete
  12. GI, May God deliver this man and help him to see the light.. . that is my prayer too in Jesus Mighty Name Amen

    ReplyDelete
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  14. Alan Pardoe, Godbless and thank you so much

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sis Bola I can understand your anger in this Godbless

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  16. hi Luckenzo, you are so right according to the word of God, He will definitely not get away with it.

    Godbless you brother

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous01:57

    There is a day coming soon, when the world as we know it will be changed forever.

    The good news is that for those who know Him, He will keep us in the palm of His hands.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Peter Lamb Godbless you so much for your comment in Jesus mighty NAme Amen and Amen

    ReplyDelete

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