From Minnesota Independent: “What Would Jesus Do” if he owed money to a collection agency? That’s one of several questions raised by a lawsuit filed in a Minnesota court. A Monticello debt collection company is facing a federal class action lawsuit because it sent out collections notices with a WWJD header. The case pits the religious rights of a small business against the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act which prohibits harassing, oppressive or abusive communication in debt collection procedures.
WWJD Lawsuit
Jun 23 2009 — 4:09pm
5 Reader Comments
4:48 pm
I think we need more guilt and shame in our justice system. An atheist wouldn’t necessarily feel guilt or shame, though, if they saw WWJD. Neither would a non-Christian nor, frankly, many Christians (IMHO).
We need to bring back public stocks, too. And scarlet letters. And banishment.
And public executions.
The question is: Does using WWJD constitute harassment, oppression or abuse?
5:48 pm
none of the above. I think it is frivolous.
6:47 pm
“Neither a borrower or a lender be.” They should have put WWPD* on their notes. Nothing in the law about quoting the bard, I hope.
* The P is for Polonius.
6:52 pm
I remember the story about Jesus tipping over the tables of money lenders so, I guess, WWJD is not borrow money or use a credit card in the first place but, if you do, you should “render onto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”
WWPD is change his name to Paul.
9:27 am
I vote for harassment and abuse. If you believe in that stuff – and I’m told people do – then implying that Jesus himself wants your debts collected is definitely abusive.