Summary by Sis. Tracy: This brother was "let go" from his job in Family Christian Stores (FCS) when he asked if Zondervan (publisher of the NIV) is owned by Harper Collins the publisher of the Satanic Bible. Note to reader: To verify that Harper Collins publishes the "Satanic Bible", do a search at www.harpercollins.com. The following quote came from their website: "...Zondervan, HarperCollins' Evangelical Christian publishing division, published the top five bestselling Bibles in the CBA marketplace, including the # 1 bestseller, The NIV Study Bible. Long considered the world's largest Bible publisher, Zondervan published 2/3 of the bestselling Bibles worldwide." Now on to the email... Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002 19:27:20 -0800 (PST) From: John Wiser Subject: How I stood up to Zondervan/FCS To: webmaster@jesus-is-lord.com Hello, I just want to say that I use to work at a Christian store called FCS. As of today at about 5 P.M. I was called and told that I was to be paid for my hours for Friday and all of next week and after that I was to be 'let go'. I asked if I was fired but was told that no,I was just being 'let go'. What happened is what one may ask and this is a short version of my story that began on 2/27/02. I found your site and after checking out the info on Zondervan (Family Christian Stores was owned by Zondervan at one time) I wanted to know what this was all about. I am in charge of the Bible section in the store where I 'use' to work and thought that this was another hate group. What I found was something that will change my life forever and I just have to tell every Christian I know. I went to look up info on that of Harper Collins Publishing and found that they (being Harper Collins Pub.) as well printed a satanic bible as well as other books that we as Christians fight so hard against. I was hurt,stunned,and could not believe my eyes. I had to know the truth and with that I went looking for some answers. As of 2/27/02 I called Family Christian Stores home office and asked to speak with someone about the history of our store (that being FCS). I was put through to a lady that asked me how she could help and after telling her I wanted to know about the history of FCS I was transfered to another person. This person was not in and was told that if I left a message he would get back with me. I did leave my name and nunber and told him that I worked for FCS and wanted to know what our history was. My day ended and I thought nothing more of it. That is until I got a call on 2/28/02 about noon. It was him returning my call and I was asked how he could help me. I ask about if FCS was owned by Harper Collins Pub and was asked why I wanted to know this. His tone had changed and now I was really begining to wonder. I told him that I worked for FCS for two years and that I understand that we used to be Zondervan (or owned by Zondervan) and that in turn Zondervan now is owned by Harper Collins Publishing. I asked if we, FCS, were owned by Harper Collins Pub. as well and was told that we are no longer with Zondervan, we are our own company. I was happy to hear this but I still wanted to know about that NIV/Zondervan/Harper Collins Pub. deal and asked if this was the same Harper Collins Pub. that made the Satanic bible and was told that we (FCS) were no longer with Zondervan and that Zondervan was and is still a good Christian group. But what about the profits for the NIV that Zondervan make which is owned by Harper Collins which makes satanic bibles? I was told that I needed to talk with my manager and/or my district manager. I was as well told that if I was unhappy with the company that I could stay or I could go,that was up to me. I told him that if I find out that this is true (that Harper Collins Pub. is the one and same that makes satanic bibles and yet makes the NIV) I would leave FCS. He in return asked if what was true? I told him that if Harper Collins Pub. was the same as the one who made/makes satanic bibles and NIV while getting money from both. I was told that they are sinners and that even he himself was a sinner. I was shocked! This man was trying to make right what was going on. I told him that I was sinner as well but that we need to try to better ourselves. He told me that I need to now talk with not my manager but the district manager the next time he (the district manager) came to our store. I hung up hurt and wondering why I could not get a straight answer out of a Christian store that I believed in. I thought my day was done and after returning home from work I get another call,it was around 5 P.M. It was my manger at FCS and she was calling to tell me that she has heard I called home office. She said it was fine but that after talking with them that they have decided that I need to take Friday (tomorrow) and all of next work week off,paid. As well I was informed that I no longer work for FCS and with that I asked if I was fired,which I was told no,that I was being 'let go'. I asked about the Harper Collins Pub. as well and she said that Zondervan is a Chrisitian company and that they (Zondervan) still are there to help Christians everywhere. I asked but what about the satanic bibles and was told that Zondervan is Christian. I stated that Zondervan was owned by Harper Collins Pub. and that meant that Harper Collins Pub. is getting paid for both NIV bibles and satanic bibles and was told this would be a correct statement but that she did not know all of the answer BUT could find out for me. As well she told me that Christian music is under the other big names that put out all of this stuff that we are so against and that is only because this helps keeps the cost down. I am hurt,I am shocked,and I am scared. I have looked away and turned my back and now look at us. We are giving money to people who put out satanic bibles along with NIV translations. I may have (which I feel I did lose) lost my job because I stood up for what I believe in and know what? I would do it again and I plan to make sure that I tell everyone I know what I have learned today. I am not perfect but I as well know that God can work through me and use me to be His hands and feet. I will serve a God that will protect me and watch over me. I will serve a God that I know can and will provide. I may meet people who don`t care to listen but I will tell people who want to know. May God bless you and keep faith; John Wiser (Ex Member of FCS #142) P.S. I am sorry for my spelling and what have you but I just need to share with you this news. I may not be perfect but I am not what I use to be O: ) Hope to hear from you if you would. *************************** Tracy, Here is the response I received from Zondervan. I understand why Harper Collins Publishing would let Zondervan carry on with the NIV,for it is said that the NIV is the number one selling translation (at least when I worked at 'the christian store'). God Bless and Keep Faith; -John- O: ) [Tracy's note: for the love of money is the root of all evil.] Dear John, Thank you for your concern over Zondervan and our relationship with HarperCollins Publishers. With this correspondence let me try clarify the nature of the relationship between the two companies and give you some assurance that the Zondervan you know and trust is the same company we have been for over 70 years, meeting the needs of people with resources that glorify Jesus Christ and promote biblical principles. HarperCollins is part of News America Publishing Group, a division of News Corporation. While Zondervan has a financial reporting relationship with HarperCollins and News Corp., we operate autonomously on a day-to-day basis. In fact, our parent company strongly encourages Zondervan to stay true to our mission and core Christian values. We have remained true to the heritage of our founders, and we are committed to building our business around those virtues. All our products: books, Bibles, gifts, kids, academic, and new media are designed around our mission and set of shared values that include integrity, accountability, and respect. For over 70 years we have not knowingly wavered from these central commitments, nor have we been asked to at any time by HarperCollins. In fact, we are fortunate to be part of an organization that supports our mission and enables us to create Christ-centered resources that meet people's needs. Thanks again for your correspondence. MR Zondervan ***************************** -----Original Message----- From: John Wiser [mailto:john_wiser@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2002 12:25 PM To: ****@zondervan.com Subject: Hoping that you can help. Mark, I want to thank you for your time and for being so kind to answer my questions. I have been looking back after these last few days and while it has changed my life it as well has me looking for answers and not just taking what I hear as the gospel truth. So once more I thank you,thank you : ) I guess I must start out with that I am not in understanding how Zondervan could or would team up with Harper Collins Publishing. With them putting out a 'satanic bible' and other things that we as christians fight against,I would like to know how Zondervan feels about this? This being that Zondervan is teamed with Harper Collins. Is this not going against the very fabric of christianity? We have you,Zondervan,putting out a NIV translation and your parent company,Harper Collins Publishing.,putting out a 'satanic bible'. I understand that you can not answer for Harper Collins Publishing. and I am not asking you for this. I just pray that you can understand where I am comming from and that we can work together and bring answers to questions like these. When I worked at the christian store I was in charge of the bible section. I heard many people with many veiws on what translation is what they read and prefer. I tried to do my best and I have always thought that I have,but now I am in question of what is true and one of the many roads leads me to Zondervan and the NIV. How or what part does this play in my life? It does more than I ever thought. I am a christian and I have a duty to be a seeker of truth. I buy bibles for people and give them away so that makes me in turn wanting the best for them. I as well have paid a price that many have never had to pay,I lost my job because I asked about a christian product. That christian product was one of yours,Zondervan`s,and that being the NIV. The question was about Zondervan and their relationship with Harper Collins Publishing. What I have found is that you,Zondervan,are at least willing to answer my questions and I must give thanks for this,thank you Zondervan. My next question may be one that you have heard a dozen times over but I must ask for I want to know for myself and not from someone who remembers parts of it. I am in understand that the NIV has changed from that of the King James translations in ways that make me question. I don`t want to go into battle with either side as to who is right or who is wrong without first knowing the story of both. One of the questions is that of Revelations 1:11 and in the question I was asked: In the first part of this verse Jesus said,"I am the A_____ and the O_______,the ________ and the ______:". Now when I look this up in the NIV by Zondervan that I have I can not answer this question,may I ask why is this? Here is what the NIV by Zondervan has Revelation 1:11; which said:"Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches:to Ephesus,Smyrna,Pergamum,Thyatira,Sardis,Philadephia,and Laodicea." Now I have your Today`s Parallel Bible and when I look over at the King James translation I can answer the question stated above,BUT using the NIV,NASB,and the NLT one can not answer this simple question. I kinda feel hurt by this and wonder what kind of answer does one give when this is asked in chruch? Do I stand and say where is this at in my bible or do I sit and wonder what kinda bible these folks are using? Now I know that you at Zondervan are not God and have not an answer to every question but I hope that you can see my point. I hope that you can help me with these concerns and want to thank you in advance for taking the time to read this e-mail and any information that you can provide. God Bless and Keep Faith; -John- O: ) John, Let me try to address your questions in the order you asked. 1. Zondervan was purchased by HarperCollins in the late 1980's--as I said in my previous message. Prior to that, Zondervan was a publicly traded company. Every publicly traded company is subject to being purchased by any company with the wherewithal to purchase the stock, as HC was able to do. But having said that, let again say Zondervan has benefited from being owned by HC. We cannot control what they publish. As our owner, HC could control what we publish. They do not. In fact, they encourage us to be true to our mission and values. 2. As to your questions about Bible text and translation I can't help you. I pose your question about Rev. 1:11 to a local Bible scholar. I can tell you the NIV is considered the most accurate and dependably clear Bible translation available today. Endorsed by scholars and denominations across the country, it is heralded as the best combination of accuracy and clarity. Is the NIV different or changed from the KJV? Yes, it is. The NIV is a more accurate and clear translation than the KJV simply because of the increased scholarship that is now available that wasn't available in the 1600's when the KJV was translated. [Tracy's note: is the feminist gender-inclusivity more accurate or more Satanic? See http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/niv.htm and http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/niv.txt]