Serving God

No, it isn't art-related. But I couldn't resist this one...

Judge dismisses Neb. lawmaker's suit against God

By The Associated Press
10.16.08

LINCOLN, Neb. — An unlisted address is proving to be God's best legal weapon against a mortal but tenacious Nebraska state senator.

A Douglas County District Court judge has thrown out state Sen. Ernie Chambers' lawsuit against God because the Almighty wasn't served a legal notice. And the judge doesn't seem to think it's possible to find the Almighty's front door.

"Given that this court finds that there can never be service effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice," Judge Marlon Polk wrote in his four-page order on Oct. 14.

Just over a year ago Chambers, the longest serving — and maybe the most powerful — state senator in Nebraska history, sought a permanent injunction against God. He said the Almighty had made terroristic threats against the senator and his constituents in Omaha, inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants."

Chambers has said he filed the lawsuit to make the point that everyone should have access to the courts regardless of whether they are poor or have the means of billionaire Warren Buffett of Omaha.

But the judge ruled that under state law a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward.

Chambers, who graduated from law school but never took the bar exam, thinks he's found a hole in the judge's ruling.

"The court itself acknowledges the existence of God," Chambers, who is not returning to the Legislature next year because of term limits, said yesterday. "A consequence of that acknowledgment is a recognition of God's omniscience. Therefore, God would have actual notice of that lawsuit."

"Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit."

Chambers has 30 days to decide whether to appeal the decision and said he hasn't decided yet whether to file one.

During a court appearance in August, while sitting a few feet away from an empty table reserved for God and God's attorney, Chambers argued that courts and the U.S. government already routinely take notice of God.

Courts swear in witnesses with an oath that includes the phrase "so help me God." Plus, the Pledge of Allegiance describes "one nation, under God," and U.S. currency proclaims "In God We Trust."

Chambers regularly skipped morning prayers during his 38 years in the Legislature and often criticizes Christians.