Local Church et al v. Harvest House et al—Court Filings and Major Court Rulings

United States Supreme Court

June 28, 2007

June 7, 2007

Petition for Writ of Certiorari (May 16, 2007) supported by five amicus briefs:

Hank Hanegraaff/Christian Research Institute, Gretchen Passantino/Answers in Action, John Morehead/Neighboring Faiths Project and Dr. Ruth Tucker on the meaning of “cult,” the intersection of the Establishment Clause and the law of defamation, and the misapplication of the Establishment Clause by the Appeals Court. (filed May 31, 2007)
Publishers, Broadcasters and Religious Organizations on the legal rights of religious organizations in harmony with the Establishment Clause and the adverse effects of the Appeals Court ruling on religious freedom. (filed June 5, 2007)
International Experts on the adverse impact of the Appeals Court decision on religious freedom in countries that rely on the secular definition of “cult.” (filed May 29, 2007)
Prominent Scholars on the word “cult” and defamatory meaning, the secular meaning of “cult,” and the improper application of the “ecclesiastical abstention” by the Appeals Court. (filed May 29, 2007)

February 9, 2007	Amicus Brief Supporting Motion for Rehearing – Rodney A. Smolla
December 18, 2006	Motion for Rehearing – Texas Supreme Court
December 12, 2006	[Statement on the Texas Supreme Court decision not to review the case]
October 27, 2006	Reply to Response to Petition for Review
August 2, 2006	Petition for Review, supported by the following amicus briefs: Hank Hanegraaff/Christian Research Institute on the meanings of “cult” in Christian apologetics (filed 8/7/2006) Gretchen Passantino/Answers in Action on the meanings of “cult” in Christian apologetics (filed 8/18/2006) Publishers and Broadcasters on the dangers of protecting libel under the cloak of religious speech (filed 8/9/2006) International Experts on religious persecution and the term cult (filed 8/9/2006) Prominent Scholars on the term cult in society and the law (filed 8/10/2006)

February 16, 2006	Appellees’ Motion for Rehearing
January 16, 2006	[Statement on Appeals Court Decision]
September 15, 2004	Brief of Appellees

March 9, 2004	Judge’s ruling denying Defendants’ second motion for full summary judgment
December 3, 2003	Plaintiffs’ Sur-Reply to Defendants’ “Second” Motion for Summary Judgment
November 19, 2003	Plaintiffs’ Response to Defendants’ Second Motion for Summary Judgment
June 13, 2003	Judge’s ruling denying defendants’ motion for full summary judgment and ordering discovery to proceed.
April 15, 2003	Plaintiffs’ Sur-Reply to Defendants’ Memorandum Brief in Support of Defendants’ Amended Motion for Summary Judgment
March 10, 2003	Plaintiffs’ Opposition to Defendants’ Motion for Summary Judgment
August 12, 2002	Judge’s ruling denying defendants’ (John Ankerberg, Harvest House Publishers and John Weldon’s) motion for partial summary judgment in the Texas lawsuit
July 22, 2002	Plaintiffs’ Opposition to Defendants’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment
December 31, 2001	Lawsuit filed in Harris County, Texas, by Living Stream Ministry, the Local Church, and individual local churches

March 15, 2002