Lawsuits against religious entities

Lawsuits against religious entities

There have been several lawsuits against religious entities that have attracted media attention.

Real cases

"United States ex rel. Gerald Mayo v. Satan and His Staff" is a case filed before the United States district court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in which Gerald Mayo alleged that "Satan has on numerous occasions caused plaintiff misery and unwarranted threats, against the will of plaintiff, that Satan has placed deliberate obstacles in his path and has caused plaintiff's downfall" and had therefore "deprived him of his constitutional rights". This is prohibited under several sections of the United States Code. Notably, Mayo filed "in forma pauperis" - that is, he asserted that he would not be able to afford the costs associated with his lawsuit and that they therefore should be waived.

On 14 September 2007 Ernie Chambers, a Nebraska state legislator, filed a suit against God, seeking a permanent injunction ordering God to "cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats". [cite news | author="MSNBC" | title=State Senator Ernie Chambers Sues God | date=2007-09-17 | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20823832 | accessdate=2007-09-17] Chambers filed the lawsuit in response to another lawsuit he considers to be frivolous and inappropriate. [cite news | author=Nate Jenkins | publisher = Associated Press | date=2007-09-17 | accessdate=2007-09-18 |url=http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2007/09/18/news/politics/doc46ef102aa68ed928664526.txt | title=Chambers sues God in protest of another lawsuit]

Fictional occurrences

"The Man Who Sued God" is a 2001 film in which Steve Myers (played by Billy Connolly) sues God because his boat is struck by lightning. His insurance company refuses to pay, claiming it to be an "act of God".

"The Devil and Daniel Webster" is a 1937 short story by Stephen Vincent Benét, since adapted into film. The story is about a New Hampshire farmer, Jabez Stone, who is plagued with unending bad luck. Stone swears that "it's enough to make a man want to sell his soul to the devil!" When Satan, disguised as "Mr. Scratch", arrives the next day, he makes such an offer, and Stone reluctantly agrees to the deal. Stone enjoys seven years of prosperity, and later bargains for three more years, but as the "mortgage falls due", he convinces famous lawyer and orator Daniel Webster to argue his case with the Devil.

References


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