The Inside Assyria Discussion Forum #5

=> Fowler needs the two monkeys' help.

Posted by MiniMe (Guest) - Tuesday, July 29 2008, 1:38:08 (CEST)
from 124.187.182.69 - CPE-124-187-182-69.nsw.bigpond.net.au

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HOMOSEXUALITY

MAN SUES BIBLE PUBLISHER OVER VERSES CONDEMNING HOMOSEXUALITY

In a legal action guaranteed to shock most Americans, a gay man is suing a
major publisher of Bibles claiming certain verses caused him 'emotional
distress.' He's suing for $70 million.

Bradley LaShawn Fowler, a 39-year old self-avowed homosexual from Canton,
Michigan, seeks $60 million from Zondervan, a major publisher of religious
books, and an additional $10 million from Thomas Nelson Publishing in his
lawsuits filed in the federal court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

While observers believe Fowler is being backed by an anti-Christian or
pro-gay group, according to The Grand Rapids Press (in Michigan), the
plaintiff Fowler is representing himself in the legal proceedings.

'I believe this self-representation business is a sham. I suspect some
big-money organization or a wealthy benefactor is providing the finances for
this obscene abuse of the legal system and the US Constitution's 'separation
of church and state' tradition. Are Christians really going to allow some
gay activist and a black-robed lawyer to decide how the Bible is written?'
asks political strategist Mike Baker.

Fowler claims that King James Bibles published by Zondervan disparages
homosexuals as sinners. He said he filed his lawsuits against Bible
publishers because they are instrumental in having his family turn against
him. Fowler is also claiming the Bible verses cause him physical discomfort
and that he suffers mental distress as a result of those scriptures.

'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 in his
self-styled legal brief.

'This whole lawsuit is making a mockery of the Holy Bible and a blatant
attempt by the homosexual community to take away the rights of
Bible-believing Christians in the United States. Past cases against
Christians and their beliefs has shown that court actions infringing on
their beliefs and practices is even easier than taking away candy from a
baby,' Baker warns.

'The Muslim religion also condemns homosexuality. If Mr. Fowler was to sue
the publishers of the Koran, would the Muslims sit silently by? Salman
Rushdie wrote a book titled The Satanic Verses that offended the muslims
back in 1988, and he's still in hiding today. In a Christian Nation, they
tolerate Gay Pride Parades. Make a mockery of the Christian Bible, and all
you can expect from the religious leadership is 'we'll pray on it', said
Baker.'

'A good example of Christians tolerating blasphemy is an artwork made famous
back in 1987 by Andres Serrano, titled; 'Piss Christ,' and voting for
spineless weenies and the lesser of two evils is why America is at the
doorstep of destruction,' added Lorraine Tillman.

'My fear is that Christians -- bishops, pastors, and church-goers -- will
silently accept the decision of a black-robed lawyer who may or may not have
his own religious agenda. Too often religious leaders have failed to
motivate their churches to take action when their rights are being violated
by oppressive anti-religious forces inside and outside our government,' said
Baker. By the way added Baker, 'one of the books published by Thomas Nelson
Publishing is Judge Andrew Napolitano's 'A Nation of Sheep.''

In a recently released statement, a Zondervan spokesperson wrote: 'Zondervan
doesn't translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the
translations. Instead [our] company relies on the scholarly judgment of
credible translation committees.'

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Julian Abele Cook, Jr., who will hear Fowler's
case against Thomas Nelson, said that he 'has some very genuine concerns
about the nature and efficacy of [the plaintiff's] claims.' Christian
observers such as Jane Martin believe such statements only encourage these
types of lawsuits.

'This case just may go a lot further than it deserves, thanks to a liberal
judge who believes his word is sacrosanct,' she said.

While the denizens of America's newsrooms appear to be ignoring this latest
religious controversy, the gay press is keeping their eyes on the case and
spinning the story to benefit their worldview.

While Fowler claims he alone is involved in the Zondervan and Thomas Nelson
Publishing lawsuits, some conservatives believe he is being secretly backed
by a group or individual with 'deep pockets' and an interest in attacking
Christianity.

'This guy Fowler isn't telling us the full story. I'd bet the farm someone
with millions of dollars to spare is backing him financially in a move to
actually alter what Christians believe is 'the word of God,'' claims Mike
Baker.

Zondervan is a subsidiary of the publishing giant HarperCollins and
specializes in evangelical books and audiotapes. Its books and products are
sold in over 60 countries and it's a member of The Evangelical Christian
Publishers Association.

'We're an international Christian communications company with a heart for
helping people find and follow Jesus Christ by inspiring them with relevant
biblical and spiritual resources. We do this through our best-selling,
award-winning, and life-changing products,' according to their mission
statement.

The other target of Fowler's lawsuit is Thomas Nelson, Inc., located in
Nashville, TN. Nelson is one of the oldest publishing houses in the US,
being established in 1798. As with Zondervan, the company specializes in
Bibles, Christian non-fiction and fiction books, audiotapes and other
religious products.

The judge hearing the Fowler lawsuit, Julian Abele Cook, was appointed to
the federal bench during the Carter Administration in 1978. According to a
source in Washington, DC, Cook is 'to the left' on most issues including
so-called discrimination cases. In fact, besides being a federal judge, Cook
has served as a chairman or vice-chairman of several civil liberties
organizations and panels and he has close ties to the American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU).

'If people believe this lawsuit will disappear, they are sadly mistaken.
Judge Cook is considered an activist judge who has a personal agenda when it
comes to so-called discrimination cases. And the homosexual plaintiff
against Zondervan and Thomas Nelson is claiming the Bible discriminates
against gays and lesbians. This case is not going away any time soon,'
warns Baker.
.................................

Go get em Monkeys!

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