survey sez!
Reader's responses to The Big Question.
The Question:
Should Christians sue in court?
The Answer:
No!”
The
Answer: “Ah, another one of
these ‘depends’ questions. An
Apostolic should never need to go to court to sue another Apostolic.
They should be able to take the situation before their pastor and elders
with the other party and reach a just judgment.
NPR radio has been running a feature on Jewish Radio that played in the
New York
area up until the 50's. One of the
programs was the broadcasting of court proceedings that were judged by a Rabbi
and elders. The people would take
their situation before the Rabbi and judgment was made and the verdict was
accepted. I can't ever remember
hearing of Apostolics taking cases before their Pastor or Elders. Is it because
they don't trust their Pastor and elders to make a fair judgment?
That would make an interesting follow up question for this one.
Without this kind of setup, there is no choice but to go to court or
allow the offence to pass. Even if a
Pastoral court were established, it would be ineffective with those situations
where one of the parties were not Apostolic.
Then the decision would have to be made as to the importance of the
grievance and if it is necessary to take it to court or to let it go.
If forced to go to court, and damages are to be rewarded to the
Apostolic, the request for reward should only be sufficient to repay the loss
rather than attempt excessive compensation.”
The
Answer: “Sometimes.”
The
Answer: “I think Christians
should avoid suing if at all possible. However,
sometimes there is no alternative. For
instance, if you are injured in a car wreck, the only way to collect monies from
your insurance may be to sue. Arbitration
is a better (and cheaper) alternative.”
The
Answer: “Should we sue?
That is a tough one. Glad to
see you guys are back to thought provoking survey questions. :)
I know we shouldn't sue a fellow believer, as Paul states, but I'm not so
sure we should sue non-believers, either. God
says that vengeance is His, and that He will repay.
He also says that if we forgive our debtors (those who sin against us),
He will forgive us. If we do not forgive them, He won't forgive us.
That's a tough line to pull if your faith is weak, but that's His word.
He tells us that if a person compels us to walk a mile, we should walk
with them for two. If they sue us
for our shirt, we should give them our jacket, too.
How much more should we show God's love to them by forgiving their sin
against us and not exacting recompense from them for it?
Jesus and Paul both tell us to do good unto those that despitefully use
us. Before you ask, yes, I have practiced what I have preached.
I have had the right to sue in a particular circumstance, but I gave the
right up. God has blessed me for it.”
The
Answer: “Depends on what the
issue is. Generally speaking, I
think Christians should avoid the lawsuit mentality.”
The
Answer: “That is a great
question, but I'm afraid I do not know the answer to it *shrugging*”
The
Answer: “I don't know the
exact reference, but I think that it is specifically spoken about in the New
Testament. I don't think we are
supposed to take each other to court, although I can't remember a reference
where we are not allowed to take a non-Christian.
If it’s true that we are supposed to treat everyone equally, I would
take that to mean we could not sue non-Christians, either.
But I would like to hear the opinions on this
- and
if we do not sue, what can we do in cases of injustice?
Is this another example of standing by and seeing the salvation of the
Lord, the He will fight our battles, and the truth will set us free?”
The
Answer: “My family was sued
unjustifiably once many years ago by a family that went to our church.
My parents just took it with stride.
They believed that God would take care of the situation.
Though they won many thousands of dollars, they are in great trouble to
this day.”
The
Answer: “Yes, if something has
truly happened to them that is illegal. No,
if they are just trying to be vindictive.”
The
Answer: “I believe that
matters should be handled outside of court, if possible.
If not, then that is why there are laws and they should be taken full
advantage of.”
The
Answer: “It depends on the
situation. I had to sue the
insurance company to get the life insurance that we had been paying for when my
husband was killed, because they said we did not have the insurance, but we had
all the papers and receipts. However,
I did not ask for more than we had paid for and only received only what we had
paid for.”
The
Answer: “Yes.”
The
Answer: “Do I have to spell
this out again? Love conquers all.
Not to mention Titus 3:9: ‘But avoid foolish controversies and
genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are
unprofitable and useless.’”
The
Answer: “No, sir.”
The
Answer: “Yes, but not each
other.”
The
Answer: “Yes, considering
circumstances. Sometimes we have to
stand up and prove our beliefs for what is right in the justice system.
Not necessarily for money but for our points and views to be put
across.”
The
Answer: “I think if they have
a good reason to, yes.”
The
Answer: “The Bible says not to
take a brother to court. I believe
if they are neither your physical brother nor your brother in Christ, then you
can take them to court. Just do it
in a godly way
- don't
lie, cheat or steal (or anything you know to be untruthful).
If you lose, give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
If you win; more power to you.”
The
Answer: “I like pizza.
As long as I get some pizza out of the deal I'm all for it.”
The
Answer: “Very good question!
On one hand, scripture is clear on this issue
- No!
They shouldn't. However, the
present-day church has no mechanism (and in many cases, moral authority) to
address these issues. We seem to be
much more content with regulating the length of one's skirt and ensuring that
lust does not overcome our good brethren at the sight of someone's elbow!
Simply put, we are majoring on the minors!
And leaving these major points undone.”
ninetyandnine.com
©
2002, ninetyandnine.com
---------
| 
