Suing at the Law
 

If someone was a Christian, would you be more inclined or less inclined, or not differently inclined at all, to sue them in a court of law?

Explain your reasoning and your answer please. Thanks!

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Naturally this all assumes your were (or at least felt you were) wronged by an individual.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Hmm, do we know they are a Christian by their actions, or were we verbally "informed?"

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Let's just say your pastor or local Baptist lay person...

Re: Suing at the Law
 

I would not per 1 Cor 6

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.



I have been put to the test on this to the tune of losing $65,000 so I say it with certainty.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

So Titus, you lost 65,000. (that you would have pursued if the offender was not Christian) because a Christian mediator did not award it to you?

I am assuming you mean, would prefer 1 Cor 6?

Re: Suing at the Law
 

If you eagerly sue a non Christian, but not a Christian, what message does this send to the unbeliever?

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Less inclined: I'd lose my shirt! :lol

Re: Suing at the Law
 

I am not litigious, but I certainly understand the issue here. I'd like to add that suing can be a means of legal redress of grievances, or can be abused to take advantage of the law at the expense of morality--which are we talking about?

If you are a Christian--we'll go with that as a metaphor for "moral," even though it isn't--It shouldn't even occur to me to want to sue, as you are by def "doing the right thing." (My sister is involved in this right now; has a broken foot through no fault of her own, trying to run a business, and wouldn't think of suing; the responsible party was...responsible!)

So I gotta believe if I'm contemplating suing my local pastor, either a) he's a putz, b) I am, or c) we are in disagreement not as to responsibility, but particulars.

Assuming C?

Re: Suing at the Law
 

The total debt was greater than $75,000 and the debtor was able to pay $10,000. I accepted that rather than go through court, yes. Would I gladly persue a non-Christian? I have no idea. The person who owed me money was not a Christian when the debt was incured but became a Christian before the settlement I recieved was offered. Because this person was a new Christian and appeared to be doing their best at the time I did not feel I should sue. I might have been able to recoup my money but might have damaged that family or destroyed my witness or disappointed God. Not worth it to me for money that I had already learned to live without. :) Mostly everyone thought I was nuts... But I sleep good at night.

I do plan to sue the insurance company of the drunk driver that hit me if they will not total my car... so maybe I would sue a non-Christian ;)

I will say I am a little disappointed that this person is now doing VERY well financially and had made no additonal efforts to pay me anything (although now not under any legal obligation to do so).

Re: Suing at the Law
 

I don't know really. Everyone and their brother claim they are a Christian these days for one thing. If there was a very good reason to sue, I think I would first try to reason with the person about a fair settlement. If they were not inclined to try for a fair redress, then I might send a letter through a lawyer and suggest us both trying arbitration w/o going to court.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

In many cases suing and getting a judgement does not mean getting more money...

Re: Suing at the Law
 

I think many people would make the decision based on if they know the person in church... A person you dont know, or even heard of before would be easier to sue even if they were Christian...

I still question whether it's a more damaging witness to sue Christians rather than non Christians. It doesn't compute for me. So the unbeliever gets sued and he thinks "Gee, if I become a Christian they won't be coming after me. I'm in!"

Re: Suing at the Law
 

I wouldn't be able to sue...I don't have it in me.

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I personally think that suing a brother would probably mean someone you are close to, ie., family member, or a fellow church member with whom you know quite well. Just because they claim to be a Christian would not necessarily mean you shouldn't take them to court for the wrong they have done to you. I have known many hypocritical Christians, who use the word "Christian" to get farther down the road in their business, and who are actually some of the worst crooks out there.

It probably is not a black and white issue though, because there are many and varied scenarios that you could come up with.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Well, remember the Angela Driver lawsuit. She did all she could do to appeal to the hierarchy to deal with her problem. None would help her settle the dispute. She had no choice but to go to the secular court to regain her good name.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Recently, (four months ago) I did a three thousand dollar job and was only paid one thousand on it... They filed bankrupcy and did not pay the balance... But promised they would later. Don't know if they are Christian or not. I would likely have pursued legal action if I thought it would do any good at all.

I just got a call from them stating they will pay another thousand on the 15th. We'll see.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

It's different with a bankruptcy, isn't it? What you and other creditors are owed is handled as the court decides. Do you need to file a claim with the court, or something? I don't think that would be suing, but not sure.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

I was offered repo on the product which sous be a bad deal on a labor intense install .

Re: Suing at the Law
 

You came away pretty good on this one! Trust me, what usually happens is a person pays part of what they owe, then files for bankruptcy which is usually mad retroactive to 30 or 60 plus days at which point YOU would be made to actually pay him what he gave you so far. It sounds like an unbelievably bad loophole, but then again most of tax law is as well.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Not sure of your situation or your laws but my husband worked as a contractor for a while. Here we can use a mechanics lien to compel payment also. The property can at least not be sold or remortgaged without the lien-holder getting paid. It is not a lawsuit but simply a recording of the debt with the county so that it shows up in any future title searches, etc. People who are in financial trouble will often be looking to sell/refinance. I am not sure if the lien stands if the property is foreclosed but it might. Just a thought.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

T2W, in hindsight, would you have treated Mr. New Christian differently? Made him sign a promissory note, maybe? Ty

Re: Suing at the Law
 

At the time I had been under such stress from the whole situation... In my world letting go of that kind of money is huge... and annual salary and then some... So I just wanted to be D.O.N.E. But yes if I had been able to distance myself more and be more objective I would have sought to insure payment in the future.

Watching him raking in $200K annually now and all the new toys his family is enjoying is by turns funny and annoying. At least they are still following after God and there is hope.

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Well, sounds like they are following Mammon to me, and not to be unkind, but I'm finding that you didn't do them any favors?

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Someone making money is not always following Mammon. I don't judge.

Not sure if what I did helped or hurt... either maybe not but God knows that it was never my intention to harm.

My husband tells me I can not educate the world... why can't I hear him?

Re: Suing at the Law
 

When my car caught on fire in 1999 and took my house out the insurance company sued the car company. I choose not to join the lawsuit. I do not regret it.
However, i had family that sent me letters saying evil things when I got saved. i errored and did not pursue action to protect myself. now the family members involved know if they come near me I will get the police involved and sue. When i became saved they said I was mentally unstable and plotted against me. i will protect myself. This is an on going problem. people in my family like to steal inherintances by trying to prove that the person they are attacking is mentally unstable. yes, those people go to church, I do not see them as saved. Nor do i have anything to say to them.
I ALWAYS NEED PRAYER AGAINST THESE IDIOTS.
Dennis

Re: Suing at the Law
 

DD, I suspect that they are the type of people who actually drive others into nervous breakdowns.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Ha no, but someone worshipping money is, and I feel completely free here to judge for you. You did the right thing, and they are not doing the right thing.
I'd say that this will sound harsh, and I don't mean for you to apply it personally, but there is an argument that you missed an opportunity to educate them, lol.

Not saying that I would have done any different; at least before this thread. Ty for your story.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

yes, could be. i beieve some are under such demonic influence that they enjoy hurting others.

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I have family like that.

I am hurting because she is taking care of our mother, using mom's money and won't talk to any of us, won't answer the phone when we call, won't call us to let us know how mom is doing. She even mentioned that when mom dies, she is going to cremate her and there will be no funeral or memorial service. I am aghast at her!

I also suspect that she probably won't tell us either when mom passes.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

She told my brother she will put mom's ashes in an urn and put the urn on her mantlepiece.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

it is good to know that somebody else is going through a similar problem.
i do not have the answers, jesus does.

Re: Suing at the Law
 

Sad; I've been there. Some subtle reverse psychology, and you can get whatever you want with this type. When they are made to believe that what they are doing is exactly what you wanted, anyway, they will flop like a fish.