The Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas (Houston) has issued an opinion in favor of Harvest House Publishers and authors John Ankerberg and John Weldon, dismissing a $136 million libel lawsuit that The Local Church and its publishing arm, Living Stream Ministry, had filed in Dec. 2001 in relation to the book Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions.

The Appellate Court's Jan. 5 decision, written by Chief Justice Sherry Radack, ruled that statements in the Harvest House book that had been named as “libel” are “not defamatory” and reversed the judgment of the 80th District (Harris County) Court of Texas.

“We hope this ruling will encourage other authors, publishers and broadcasters to stand strong in their convictions and to continue engaging in responsible dialogue concerning controversial topics without fear of intimidating lawsuits,” said Bob Hawkins Jr., president of Harvest House.

• Prev
• Next