Suing God

Existence is the opposite of non-existence; we see and experience what exists concretely in the material world, sometimes in a laboratory setting, and sometimes by living through its effects. Another dimension of existence relates to belief; we express its vitality through our faith. Because we believe, God "exists" in our world, right? Naturally, we cannot make the same statement for someone who does not believe. Then let us ask: Can that which exists be questioned, or even sued? It is certainly a debatable situation, as every answer given is valid only to the extent that it nourishes our intellectual world.

Have there been those throughout history who have sued God? I will come to the answer to that question in a moment, but before I do, I would like to quote a verse from the Quran.

Al-Baqarah 30:

"And when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.' They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?' Allah said, 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'"

I do not think we can read this conversation in the verse merely as a response to a question. Because a meaning is being loaded onto the question here; there is mention of blood to be shed and the chaos that will ensue. A question is posed along the lines of, "Why is such a being created?" I think it is an important verse. It calls upon humans to think. It becomes a compass for thought in a way.

Let us come to the judgment of God.

The year is 2007.

In the United States, Nebraska state senator Ernie Chambers wants to file a lawsuit against God on the grounds that God has threatened him and the people of Nebraska, spread terror to millions of people in the world, and brought widespread death and destruction, and the lawsuit is filed.

However, there is a problem. Judge Marlon Polk emphasizes the defendant's address for the legal documents to be delivered during the trial process and states that a proper notification must be made. In this state, it will not be possible. Therefore, the case is dismissed in 2008. In response, the plaintiff Chambers says, "Since God knows everything, He is aware of this lawsuit." He opposes the judge's decision.

Why did Chambers, who has been a senator for 38 years, file this lawsuit? The senator answers this question as follows: "I filed the lawsuit to show that everyone can sue everyone, even God."

Now let us go back a few more years. The place is again the United States, the city of Sheridan. According to a report in the Weekly World News magazine published in the US, a farmer sues God after being struck by lightning 3 times in 8 years. The farmer named Jonas Wilding expresses this situation as follows: "I am actually a good servant of God. I did not understand the lightning attack three times. For this reason, I am filing a compensation lawsuit against God."

As we learn from the news, the farmer says he always goes to church and follows the rules. Of course, he adds that like every human being, he also tells some white lies. Then he is also the one who steals some goods from supermarkets, and even the one who sometimes casts a sideways glance at his neighbors' wives. "But," he says, "all of this is too much to be the target of a lightning attack three times in eight years."

So, what is the farmer's demand?

He asks for exactly 100 million dollars from God.

We know that other similar lawsuits have been filed in history. Let us share one last example if you like. This time the place is Romania. Romanian prisoner Pavel Mircea, who was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison, sues the Romanian Orthodox Church on the grounds that he could not protect himself from the devil in the penal unit. He says his baptism was a binding contract.

As in the other examples, the court rejects the case in 2007, and the reasoning is similar: "God is not a person in the eyes of the law, He has no address," it is said.

At the beginning of the article, we said that "the subject of existence will enter the field of discourse." In this sense, God will also somehow take part in the practice of "speaking." However, speaking in the name of God and speaking about God are undoubtedly not the same things. I think the difference is known. Legislating in the name of God, building a state, and even declaring war still hold their place among the yellowed pages of history. On the other hand, we know that throughout history, hundreds of different Gods belonging to different religions and beliefs, especially in Sumer and Egypt, have been believed in; many of them are not among us now. We are also aware of the existence of people who, despite believing in the same religion, do not understand God in the same way and read His spoken language and will in different ways. Just like the subject of judgment that is the topic of this article.

Finally, we must also state that when we say God, life will come to our minds, and of course, when we say life, death will come to our minds. So, does a poet invite God to his verses at the same time as he approaches death?

Here you go:

"I am dying, my God

So this has happened too.

Every death is an early death

I know, my God.

But, also, this life you took

Is not bad...

Keep the change..."

Cemal Süreya