$60 M lawsuit against Zondervan over homosexuality in Bible

[BrianB]

Zondervan faces $60M federal lawsuit over Bible, homosexuality

Posted: July 8, 2008 10:58 PM EDT

Updated: July 8, 2008 11:42 PM EDT

By Tony Tagliavia

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- Christian publisher Zondervan is facing a $60 million federal lawsuit filed by a man who claims he and other homosexuals have suffered based on what the suit claims is a misinterpretation of the Bible.

But a company spokeswoman says Zondervan doesn't translate the Bible or own the copyright for any of the translations. Instead, she said in a statement, the company relies on the "scholarly judgment of credible translation committees."

That is to say, setting aside whether the federal civil rights lawsuit is credible, the company says Bradley Fowler sued the wrong group.

His suit centers on one passage in scripture -- 1 Corinthians 6:9 -- and how it reads in Bibles published by Zondervan.

Fowler says Zondervan Bibles published in 1982 and 1987 use the word homosexuals among a list of those who are "wicked" or "unrighteous" and won't inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Fowler says his family's pastor used that Zondervan Bible, and because of it his family considered him a sinner and he suffered.

Now he is asking for an apology and $60 million.

"To compensate for the past 20 years of emotional duress and mental instability," Fowler told 24 Hour News 8 in a phone interview.

He claims the company is misinterpreting the Bible by specifically using the word homosexuals. Fowler admits that every Bible printed is a translation, interpreted in some way, but he says specifically using that word is not a translation but a change.

"These are opinions based on the publishers," he said. "And they are being embedded in the religious structure as a way of life."

Fowler says he came across the discrepancy while researching a book. He says Zondervan Bibles published in the 1980s use the word homosexuals in the Corinthian passage in question, but earlier and later ones don't.

24 Hour News 8 went to a library to do some research of our own, and found Zondervan Bibles published both in the 80s and post-2000 use the word homosexuals in the passage.

Some translations, like the New American Standard, use the word. Others don't.

The (regular) American Standard version uses the phrase "abusers of themselves with men." The King James says "abusers of themselves with mankind." Still others, like the New American Bible, use the word "sodomites."

Fowler says the idea that those phrases are another way of saying homosexuals is a misinterpretation as well.

The Zondervan statement says the company never alters the text of translations it is licensed to publish.

24 Hour News 8 contacted a law professor and several biblical scholars for comment but they have not returned our calls.

[RedneckDyke]

This is ridiculous. Zondervan doesn't translate bibles. This guy is barking up the wrong tree. All this does is make gays look like a bunch of whiny babies. He's not doing us any good.

[inca nitta]

I'm afraid that the judges might consider this a frivolous lawsuit.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by RedneckDyke

This is ridiculous. Zondervan doesn't translate bibles. This guy is barking up the wrong tree. All this does is make gays look like a bunch of whiny babies. He's not doing us any good.

Agreed. The Bible that I enjoy reading the most is the English Standard Version and it translates the verses in question to include the word "homosexual." I don't like it, but I'm not suing the publisher.

Originally Posted by inca nitta

I'm afraid that the judges might consider this a frivolous lawsuit.

I hope that this case is dismissed on exactly that basis.

[BrianB]

Thanks for the feedback. I thought this lawsuit was pretty odd too. It seems to me that Fowler would have to be a biblical scholar himself with knowledge of greek, hebrew and latin to be taken seriously.

[Rick336]

I believe that any good that comes from the Bible is far outweighed by the harm it causes. Still, I think it should be protected by freedom of speech. The lawsuit is ridiculous.


Rick

[pnggrad79]

I actually looked up the word used in the text from the original Greek, and it doesn't translate into homosexual. Nowhere in the Bible is that word used. It is a invented word coined in the late 1800's, so how could Paul have known it and used it when English wasn't even a language yet? In fact the word used in Leviticus is not even the same word Paul used in Romans. The people who translated couldn't think of a word equal in meaning to the one Paul used, so they just inserted a word that made sense to THEM. And because of that little slight of hand, thousands of gay people have suffered needlessly at the hands of religious fanatics who discard the gospel of love and replace it with a gospel of fear.

It all goes to show that anyone can make the Bible say and justify any action they want. That is the danger in translation and in trusting anyone else's interpretation. It becomes an opinion and less of a fact.

[BruceChris]

In his recent book "The Sins of Scripture"

"The Bible has been quoted throughout Western history to justify the violence done to racial minorities, women, Jews and homosexuals"

Rick, I am almost with you on your comment.

He has sections on the environment, women, homosexuality, children, anti-Semitism, as well as Biblical literalism in general.

Of course, the stuff that gets us in the gay community most upset are the verses that are translated as being against same gender relationships without regard to the circumstances or possible abuse involved.

Note: There are also verses that speak out against the sin(?) of dressing in the garments of the opposite gender, which would include straight cross dressers, and essentially all women, at one time or another. (Warning: Halloween could be a Sin!)

These are just some of the reasons that when I wish to study the Bible, I read books about the Bible, written by Biblical scholars, and rarely the bible itself.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Steven E. Webster]

Originally Posted by Rick336

I believe that any good that comes from the Bible is far outweighed by the harm it causes. Still, I think it should be protected by freedom of speech.
Rick

Books don't kill people, people kill people.

Steven Webster

[hippie4lyfe]

this case doesnt stand a shot in (hell) lol.

[HarmlessEccentric]

This is a very stupid lawsuit, and I can't imagine that it will make it to trial. But of course some conservatives will still be using it to prove that the Homosexual Agenda includes the banning of the Bible long after I am dead. Hint to conservative commentators: if this were part of the Homosexual Agenda, we would have assigned a Lambda Legal lawyer to help him with his case.

[Pablo Rafael]

It is a stupid lawsuit, and I firmly believe in freedom of speech. However, there might be some good in this if it makes people look at just what actually are the two words that sometimes get translated "homosexual".

Bible scholars that pride themselves in translating Greek and Hebrew words as accurately as possible have been guilty of homophobia as they have translated "malakos" and "arsenokoitai"(sp?) into "homosexual". "Malakos" only means "soft" and Jesus uses it in refering to people who live in luxury and don't use thier wealth to help others. "Aresenokoitai" is unclear in its meaning. (And used only twice in the entire Bible if I remember correctly.) But it CAN'T mean homosexual orientation, nor can it ever apply to women. (No biblical references speak against lesbians.) Whether its meaning has anything to do with homosexual behavior at all is still uncertain. And if it does, just what actions is it talking about? No one knows.

Many gays criticize the Bible because it speaks against homosexuality. I take a close look and see that the Bible never speaks against homosexuality. I think any true Biblical scholar would have to agree that the idea that the Bible is against homosexuality comes not from the Bible itself but from the traditions and prejudices of our culture.

I am rambling on here. Sorry about getting carried away and somewhat off topic.

[nmwolfboy]

i agree with those who've said that this lawsuit is foolish (frivolous, stupid, etc.) Suing Zondervan is ridiculous in the first place since they don't hold the copyright on the translation in question.

Though perhaps as dear Pablo has noted, some good will come of it if people question the (mis)translation that resulted in the use of the word "homosexual."

Likely though it is that anti-gay Christians will point to this attempt to sue a Bible publisher as more evidence of 'THE GAY AGENDA™' , i doubt that they'll gain much traction with that, except with the folks who already fervently agree with them.

The only thing more foolish than the lawsuit itself would be people with anti-gay viewpoints claiming that this one guy is representative of all lgbt folk. But some of them will attempt to do just that!

Pax et bonum,
scott

[tymejumper]

Originally Posted by RedneckDyke

This is ridiculous. Zondervan doesn't translate bibles. This guy is barking up the wrong tree. All this does is make gays look like a bunch of whiny babies. He's not doing us any good.

Yeah, and it makes Michigan look even worse than it is, even though it does suck here if your gay....but I havent been bashed yet or anything! LOL I wish that people would have an actual lawsuit, kinda like that lady who spilled hot coffee on her lap and her husband sued and won money from McDonalds becuase her thighs were burned and he was deprived of her company(ie sex). Give me a break!

[Alecto]

Ok, so, just to give voice to ANY other side: maybe the point is to draw attention to the issue? Do I think this one guy should get 60 million? Hardly. And if he's expecting it, I give up. But perhaps he's not expecting it to go any further than it already has; he's brought the suit and made the news and brought attention to the translation issues. And maybe that is a good thing.

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by RedneckDyke

This is ridiculous. Zondervan doesn't translate bibles. This guy is barking up the wrong tree. All this does is make gays look like a bunch of whiny babies. He's not doing us any good.

I agree wit you on this. Zondervan just produces the bibles. When I read this post I questioned if Mr. Fowler investigated the meaning for himself. I also get the idea that there are other issues involved here.

Gennee