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Suing God

Posted Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at 2:38 PM ET

In September 2007, former state Sen. Ernie Chambers filed a lawsuit against God in Nebraska's 4th Judicial District Court. Chambers, a political independent who served in the Legislature for 38 years before retiring in April, sought "a permanent injunction" to "cease harmful activities," claiming the defendant caused "fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornadoes, pestilential plagues, ferocious famines, [and] devastating droughts … resulting in the wide-spread death, destruction and terrorization of millions."

Last month, Douglas County Judge Marlon Polk dismissed Chambers' claim "with prejudice" (see below and the following three pages), citing improper service due to the defendant's lack of proper address. According to the case history (below), the Almighty made a "purported" special appearance and filed three answers to the claim while an "agent of God" filed a "purported" countersuit (Page 2). These actions and Chambers' responses were subsequently nullified because, the ruling concluded, "there can never be service effectuated on the named Defendant" (Page 4). Last week, Chambers filed a notice of appeal declaring his intention to take the matter to a higher authority.

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Posted Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at 2:38 PM ET
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Bonnie Goldstein is a former special investigator to the U.S. Senate and investigative producer for ABC News.
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