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"God" responds to lawsuit, saying court lacks jurisdiction

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By NATE JENKINS / The Associated Press

Thursday, Sep 20, 2007 - 09:02:14 pm CDT

A legislator who filed a lawsuit against God has gotten something he might not have expected: a response.

One of two court filings from “God” came Wednesday under otherworldly circumstances, according to John Friend, clerk of the Douglas County District Court in Omaha.

“This one miraculously appeared on the counter. It just all of a sudden was here — poof!” Friend said.

Story Photo
Ernie Chambers

State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha sued God last week, seeking a permanent injunction against the Almighty for making terroristic threats, inspiring fear and causing “widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth’s inhabitants.”

Chambers, a self-proclaimed agnostic who often criticizes Christians, said his filing was triggered by a federal lawsuit he considers frivolous. He said he’s trying to makes the point that anybody can sue anybody.

Not so, says “God.” His response argues that the defendant is immune from some earthly laws and the court lacks jurisdiction.

It adds that blaming God for human oppression and suffering misses an important point.

“I created man and woman with free will and next to the promise of immortal life, free will is my greatest gift to you,” according to the response, as read by Friend.

There was no contact information on the filing, although St. Michael the Archangel is listed as a witness, Friend said.

A second response from “God” disputing Chambers’ allegations lists a phone number for a Corpus Christi law office. A message left for that office was not immediately returned Thursday.

Attempts to reach Chambers by phone and at his Capitol office Thursday were unsuccessful.

Associated Press Writer Anna Jo Bratton in Omaha contributed to this report.


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Deputy Dawg wrote on September 20, 2007 9:52 pm:
" I got e-mailed a copy of the "countersuit" yesterday. It's hilarious! Points out just how stupid Ernie is acting. "

 Biblethumper wrote on September 20, 2007 11:07 pm:
" To Senator Chambers: God forgives and is totally laughing with you now, but I seriously think that he is going to have something to say about this when it;s time for your life reivew when you reach the pearly gates. "

 Up Late wrote on September 21, 2007 2:30 am:
" Ha, what do you know ... Tempting the lord finally worked "

 Ramone wrote on September 21, 2007 5:04 am:
" Oh, I am just loving this little fiasco. I love the point Chambers is trying to make but so many people are missing by just calling him crazy. This just adds a whole new fun spin to this whole thing. "

 Doc wrote on September 21, 2007 5:39 am:
" GOD responds. What a great story. In His book, God tells us that all good and perfect gifts come from above, so we certainly know then where less than good and perfect events come from thus we know the lawsuit is without merit. While Ernie is busy filing lawsuits, God is singing over us, including Ernie. Actually, Ernie loves to do things like this because it makes us clutch tighter to God and His son, Jesus. Ernie challenges us to know where our anchor is and in whom. He has done it for years. Check out Ernie's background and you'll learn much. It is his backdoor approach to make people go to God. Don't get upset with Ernie, thank him for pushing people to Jesus by making them think. He provides good sermon material, gets people to pray for him, and this is his way of challenging us about our faith. And it works, because none of us can argue from a point of weakness, we have to know the facts to present back to Ernie. Notice that he never picks on followers of Christ only those that call themselves christians. He knows there is a huge difference. Thanks Ernie. For over 35 years, you have been doing what some preachers have been trying to do as well. Bring people home. "

 Why chambers it on his way out wrote on September 21, 2007 6:18 am:
" Yet another example why Chambers needs to go "

 WWJD wrote on September 21, 2007 6:59 am:
" I wonder if "God" had valid I.D. when he filed? "

 WCG wrote on September 21, 2007 7:02 am:
" Heh, heh. Let's get this 'God' in court so he can explain why he's supposedly 'immune' to our laws. That should be interesting. I don't remember seeing it in the Constitution anywhere. And while he's at it, maybe he can appear at a press conference to apologize for telling Bush to invade Iraq. Maybe he can explain what he was thinking, too. Did 'God' really not know that Saddam had gotten rid of his WMD's, or was he just messing with our credulous president? Of course, he's not liable for that, because of First Amendment protections (though Bush is to blame for obeying the voice in his head). "

 Ernie Almighty!! wrote on September 21, 2007 7:14 am:
" Sounds like a new movie???? For those of you that have seen "Bruce Almighty" The GOD quote in the article sounds like it came right out of the movie....funny "

 Angel wrote on September 21, 2007 8:14 am:
" What is wrong with this world today? Why have such terrible things happened? You ask these questions and you want answers yet you take God out of your everyday lives. You expect him to perform miracles yet you do not think you owe him anything. No wonder the world is in such a sad state, I just thank Heavens every day that God is not like the people he created. We were said to be created in his image, well we may look like God but I have a good feeling we do not act like him. If Ernie wants to declare himself Agnostic and put other Christians down I hope I am not at the gates when St. Peter says I'm sorry we do not have a spot for you but you can catch the next plane. Its a direct flight, no stops,final destination: HELL!! "

 Sylvia wrote on September 21, 2007 8:34 am:
" From that brief, we can discern that God is clearly not an American. If God shows his face in the USA, he is clearly an illegal immigrant. Churches should not give him sanctuary. He should be deported as soon as possible. The National Guard should be on the lookout after the next weather disaster. Weather is caused by free will? Interesting. "

 Well Duh wrote on September 21, 2007 8:37 am:
" What would expect? A different response from the neocon religous right. They will actully believe that it "just appeared". Maybe Ernie should sue the "god" imposter. Chime in sheep! Lets dance! "

 Brian wrote on September 21, 2007 8:40 am:
" This is turning into a joke. Was Senator Chambers really wanting to sue God? Did he know that someone else would respond like this? "

 JR wrote on September 21, 2007 8:44 am:
" Because our legal system has nothing better to do. "

 Lincoln Christian ... and Proud of It wrote on September 21, 2007 8:48 am:
" Good for God! "

 BC wrote on September 21, 2007 8:57 am:
" Isn't this a complete waste of real worldly dollars via Ernie Chambers. He just really needs to retire to the nursing home. I can completely understand his concept but his means of doing this area really crazy. Next time he needs to think of a more literal way to make his point. "

 Bronze Age Mythology wrote on September 21, 2007 9:01 am:
" If we must praise God for all the good things, are we to chastise him for all the bad? "

 Jody P. wrote on September 21, 2007 9:15 am:
" I would have appreciated a good response from "God" if it had been at least half as clever as Ernie's suit. But the response about how our own free will is to blame for all our problems is pretty weak. Ernie's suit charged God with earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, droughts, famines, plagues, and birth defects (such as horribly deformed babies). The supposedly clever response from "God" didn't seem to address those charges. Probably because there is no good response, except to plead guilty. "

 Mike wrote on September 21, 2007 9:29 am:
" good thing we are paying all of these people to make our whole state look like idiots. And cant believe educated people missed the whole point of Chambers lawsuit. "

 Owned! wrote on September 21, 2007 9:30 am:
" All you haters of people of faith got owned, and look how you come crying now! What a joke you and your mouthpiece Ernie Chambers are. Thanks for the good laugh, fools. You prate and preen under the umbrella of Ernie's untouchable wisdom, but look how easily your poster boy is made to look the fool. Hitch your wagon to someone else, clones! Next! "

 I wrote on September 21, 2007 9:31 am:
" Perfection! "

 Brett wrote on September 21, 2007 9:45 am:
" To think I used to respect Chambers. "

 Q & A wrote on September 21, 2007 9:46 am:
" I figured the liberals would agree with the assertion that free will caused weather disasters since they are all obviously results of global warming...hurricanes, tornados(sic), droughts especially. Famines and plagues could possibly be weather related, as well they most often accompany drought. Earthquakes are obviously a result of global warming...because the globe is getting warmer, and science says that things that get warmer expand...so the earth is obviously expanding and cracking. And there a lot of environmental factors that contribute to birth defects...and since it is humans that are screwing up the environment, those defects brought on by environmental factors would be our fault, not God's. Finally, when it comes to tsunami's, a lot more people would be alive if they had heeded the Bible where it says that it is foolish to build your house upon the sand. "

 Tman wrote on September 21, 2007 9:48 am:
" Hurricanes? Floods? Tornadoes? Earthquakes? I blame Eve. "

 For God wrote on September 21, 2007 9:52 am:
" It's a shame that God can't possibly win - there are no lawyers in heaven! "

 PF wrote on September 21, 2007 10:14 am:
" Yes we are made in the image of God. Yes we are to trust and obey. God is not mocked. And scripture tell us, many are called but few will enter the kingdom of heaven! There is a day we will answer for our deeds. Heed His warnings or your days to come will not be funny e-mails!! "

 flower66 wrote on September 21, 2007 10:19 am:
" Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors "

 Shadow wrote on September 21, 2007 10:33 am:
" funny, we all get it. however the point chambers is trying to make is going to seriouisly cause a more damaging effect to the judicial system because most cases in the near future will be over analyzed and good people who have suffered will continue to suffer while people that have caused the suffering will more than likely walk. If you want to make a point, campaign for a better system, dont use the system to play a game and make fun of those who are truely in need of justice. Unfortunately i know there are people that try and abuse the system, but most times they dont make national news headlines in the process like chambers has. "

 Come on! wrote on September 21, 2007 10:55 am:
" For God....Quit stealing Leno's jokes. I believe that is one of the Ten Commandments. "

 Charmagne wrote on September 21, 2007 12:14 pm:
" Yes, God did give us free will, and thst means we are to be responsible for our actions. That means that EVERYBODY is to use good reason when living their lives and making choices. God is not responsible for our wicked ways. We see the sneaky coverups and lies that our government has been pulling on us, and this crazy man is part of our government, so we see what is running our country. God made us to love Him and work for him on Earth. He doesn't start wars, cause famine or cause all the unrest and craziness we are dealing with in society. We have made that for ourselves.Wake up people! We have caused these problems, not God. Actually, Mr. Chambers, God loves you too and I can only hope that this will serve as a wakeup call to all humans, regardless of religion, color, nationality , whatever.... give God an honest chance, pray for his love and guidance to help us see what is right, so we can live as He wants , in love and peace with our neighbors.It's not too late. Read the Ten commandments, it's all in there!!! "

 Native wrote on September 21, 2007 12:41 pm:
" Only in Nebraska would somebody of Ernie's intelligence and position be looked upon as crazy, intead of uniquely brilliant. I see this lawsuit for what it is: a necessary, and yes, humorous, point about religion in our society today. History (recent history, too) is riddled with examples of how Christianity (and any organized religion for that matter) has brought "death, destruction and terrorization" upon the inhabitants of earth. When faith in a higher power is replaced by the structured belief of a religion, intolerance and hypocrisy abound. That is what caused me to quit the church at 16, but not give up my faith that there must be a higher power that isn't a "god." I believed in Ernie when I lived in Nebraska, and am glad to see him still bringing his perspective to the political and social climate of the state. "

 YM2 wrote on September 21, 2007 12:54 pm:
" Of course the court lacks jurisdiction, which means "power to speak the law." God is law, and he made "the power to speak." "

 JR wrote on September 21, 2007 1:16 pm:
" Oh, lighten up people. You are taking this way more serious then it deserves. Have you never heard of a thing called humor? Are you not aware of it's therapeutic merits? Are Nebraskans becoming such an incredibly uptight people that they dare not venture a smile once in awhile? No wonder outsiders think of us as backwards, if so many of you can not even enjoy a little laugh now and then. "

 SRO wrote on September 21, 2007 1:29 pm:
" I give Ernie an A for creativity!!! Too bad his point has been wasted on people who just don't get it! "

 Lisa wrote on September 21, 2007 1:45 pm:
" I'd say this is blasphemy, but more kind of comical. Maybe we should include just include this as a passage in the Bible. Since it's written by a bunch of ya-who's anyway. I never would have thought a prophet lived in Texas :) "

 Wow. wrote on September 21, 2007 2:03 pm:
" Talk about a waste of taxpayer money, Ernie suing God. Chambers himself is the biggest waste of taxpayer money around. YAY GOD!!!! "

 Shelly wrote on September 21, 2007 2:04 pm:
" If Ernie is really trying to prove a point that anyone can sue anyone, I say Tori Bowen sue him for making a mockery out of something so serious as rape. Plus, does he even know what agnostic means? "

 Non hypocrite wrote on September 21, 2007 2:07 pm:
" Dont forget it was God who allowed the Conservative Christian Senators to have Cyber Sex with Teenage boys and another to go forth in search of Laying with Man in Public Restrooms. Oh yes, and telling GW Bush to invade Iraq after praying all night. I hope he will settle out of court! "

 US Treasury wrote on September 21, 2007 2:08 pm:
" If we can just get Him to settle out of court, maybe we can pay off the Bush debt. "

 ern fan wrote on September 21, 2007 2:35 pm:
" Ernie is a very smart person. Who better to draw publicity from other than God. Remember, God lets everything happen for some reason that only he knows. "

 Chris wrote on September 21, 2007 2:53 pm:
" Instead of ridiculing Chambers, people should be prepared to debate him honestly. Why are so many people of faith threatened by the very idea of reason? This lawsuit should cause people to contemplate how involved God is in our daily lives. If I am to believe in a loving God, I have to believe that God is detached from our daily lives. Christians give credit to God for the smallest things in life. Athletes constantly praise God when they win championships. Yet, most Christians would never blame God for the bad things in life. If God helping sports teams win championships, I really have to question his priorities. Why isn't he devoting more attention to alleviating human suffering? It seems reasonable to me that when God gets so much credit for the good things in life that some people might question why he is not equally responsible for the bad. Christians should be prepared to defend their position honestly, rather than simply resorting to condemnation. You know you will never win people like Chambers over to your side if you cannot defend your positions with reason. "

 AAAAHH!! wrote on September 21, 2007 3:34 pm:
" Please read the articles! All of the christians on here attacking Chambers need to read this article and the previous article. Chambers didn't submit this "lawsuit" to indict christianity. He did it to make a point about frivolous lawsuits! Quit being hyperdefensive and simply read the article and apply it in the proper context. The fact that he is an agnostic is simply a fact that the writer mentions. It isn't the thrust of Chamber's arguments. Its narrow minded literal fundamentalist thinking that lead people like Chamber's to reject most of theology. I mean seriously...your response to any argument involving Christianity can't really be "its clearly written in the bible.." You realize that almost any intelligent person (the pope included) would instantly dismiss you as lacking the firepower necessary to frame and defend your point. Its about as valid of an argument as saying "Chambers is wrong because he's stupid". Its just ridiculous that you can't get the point and as soon as god, christ, religion, or church is mentioned in a conversation then you immediately get puffed up and defensive. For the sake of argument, in a context that you can understand, simply replace "God" with Santa Claus in Chamber's argument. "

 Ryan wrote on September 21, 2007 3:50 pm:
" I'm sorry, but this is offensive to me how few people have any idea what Chambers actually did. With all of the articles about it so many people STILL cannot figure this out. They moan and complain about Chambers and how stupid he is, not realizing that their ignorance about what ACTUALLY happened shows their stupidity to anyone who does. Please, go read the articles and then come back. I know its hard to read, but please try. "

 Cornelis Droog wrote on September 21, 2007 4:29 pm:
" Senator filed a lawsuit against God. Does he know what is written in God's Holy Lawbook, the Bible? Come, behold the works of JAHWEH, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. (Psalms 46:8-9) I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I JAHWEH do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7) The great day of JAHWEH is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of JAHWEH: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against JAHWEH: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. (Zephaniah 1:14-18) The Bible teaches that at the end of the world all the wicked will come under eternal punishment in a place called Hell, and this time may be very near. There is much Biblical evidence that points to the fall of 2011 as the end of the world. Please contact Family Radio for the free book: TIME HAS AN END by Harold Camping A Biblical History of the World 11.013 BC - AD 2011 http://www.familyradio.com And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be TIME NO LONGER: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Revelation 10:5-7 "

 no justice wrote on September 21, 2007 5:06 pm:
" I was hoping Ernie would win the lawsuit, so God would have to give him a life where he would actually acomplish something. "

 Liz wrote on September 21, 2007 6:08 pm:
" If an INS agent or any law enforcement agent arrested God,they would be incinerated on the spot. God is all powerful. No one can stand up to God." "

 Fool For Christ wrote on September 21, 2007 6:21 pm:
" Every person who lives their life in service to Christ is thought a fool in this world. Christianity has not been tried and found to fail; it has been, found by many, to be just too difficult, and left untried. GK Chesterton, smile on my attempt to quote you. :) "

 Erin wrote on September 21, 2007 6:31 pm:
" If the court lacks jurisdiction, can we seek extradition? That assertion that human free will has caused (or was a trade-off for) massively destructive hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. doesn't hold water. Even insurance companies call those "acts of God." (Seriously, though, if Mr. Friend delivered that "poof" line with a straight face, I'm going to be sick.) "

 Ijt wrote on September 21, 2007 6:48 pm:
" I'm from Corpus Christ which means the body of Christ. We're having fun with this article in our comment section. However, the comments are not as nice as yours. One of your comments stated to "lighten up because it's a joke. God is not a joke. His is real whether you agree or not. If you made fun of the Islam god there would be a bounty on your head and you would be seeking help for protection. You know as well as I, the bible says when a person says that there is no God he has an evi heart. "

 gloria wrote on September 21, 2007 7:36 pm:
" I would like to know what exactly God said and what was in the other filings. When God talks we should listen. "

 firewize wrote on September 21, 2007 7:37 pm:
" Praise be to God and Holy is His Name ! Maybe there will be converts out of this mess yet. When God speaks, we had better listen or face His justice. "

 Seriously wrote on September 21, 2007 9:02 pm:
" Seriously. Alll this has led to is the fundamentalist christians a chance to come out and condemn everyone for one more thing. "The Bible said this..The Bible said that...God exists whether you like it or not..." Seriously! Give your condescending, judgemental, condemning, soap box one liners a rest! The bible says a lot of things and if you did 1/2 the things it said you should do you'd be in jail. I would also add that "god" was a big proponent of the "laws of caeser"...meaning that you should follow the laws of man. So, which is it? Laws of man or the bible?? There is a contradiction there if you'd look. In fact, the bible contradicts itself all the time, but that's not a problem for fundamentalists because they're very good at picking and choosing the "rules" they want to follow and the rules they want to impose on you. I still cannot believe the argument on this issue is related to religion! You fundamentalists have hijacked this issue and completely missed the opportunity to debate an in interesting and tangible topic. For the last time...this is not a religious issue...its a legal issue!! "

 JPC wrote on September 21, 2007 9:04 pm:
" To the folks that think that "freewill" causes weather....God gave us freewill, which means we are responsible for our own actions. He gave us the foundation (his word)to build our lives on, but it is our choice...we decide if we follow God or not. God also made us the gardians of the earth, ie it is our responsibility to proctect and care of it. Again freewill comes into play, we chose if we are going to protect and care for the earth. It looks like the majority of us are looking the other way, and making the choice not to care for our planet. The weather is a direct effect of man using his freewill. We have no one to blame but ourselves. "

 Just don't get it wrote on September 22, 2007 5:57 am:
" All that Ernie Chambers has done is stirred a pot that was already boiling over. This was supposed to be about frivalous or unfounded lawsuits and I think that everybody has moved away from that and is missing the point. But why are they missing the point? Because Ernie chose to take on God. God is real in my life. It does not make me foolish, it does not make me uneducated. Something happened in my life that led me to the conclusion that He exists. Just as I believe that something has led agnostics and athiests to conclude that He doesn't exist. I do not assume that they are stupid or uneducated. Let's all unite on this issue and agree that this has all been a waste of taxpayer's money, and a big publicity stunt. Our Judicial and Legal system DOES need serious reform. Keep your opinions of Christians and Non-christians to yourselves. Stop attacking eachother and look at what this is all really about!!! "

 tax payer wrote on September 22, 2007 6:50 am:
" You can not file a lawsuit or counter lawsuit without paying the filing fee. If there is not filing fee then there is no suit. I believe for this to be a valid point and to show the rest of the world how serious God Country we have in Nebraska, all you Christians should send the court the filing fee for God. Ernie paid his. Show your convictions and beliefs, send the money. Just look into your hearts and take out your check books and send the money today. When you approach those peril gates do you want to explain why Ernie won the suit because you would not help God with the filing fee? If sin is inherited then do you want to leave this on you children’s children like Adam and Eve done to you? Just send the money today. If you do not have the entire filing fee then just send what you can. A button off of your shirt if that is all you got. We need this filed as Ernie has filed. Send you money today. "

 camo wrote on September 22, 2007 11:42 am:
" who is paying God's legal fees? will Chambers' be made to pay for all the legal funds the state has to incur, and for God's legal fees too, if he looses? anyone filing a frivilous lawsuit, taking up the time of state employees to handle this idiotic thing, should be held accountable for all fees and costs incurred if the case if thrown out - that would or at least should slow down cases of this nature jamming the dockets. I can't believe how ridiculous this is making nebraska look. "

 Juanita wrote on September 30, 2007 4:46 pm:
" I think this just proves that God is Creator and giver of life and that it is us humans that have sorely messed up. God is a just and mighty God. I think that Mr. Chambers needs a heart ajustment. Someday he will face God and what will he say then I wonder? "

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