STROUDSBURG, Pa. -- A defamation lawsuit stemming from a dispute over what Bible translation should be used at Beakleville Baptist Church has been dropped, according to a news report by the Pocono Record.
Samuel Strunk and his family sued, alleging the Rev. John K. Puskar told members of the church the Strunk family had been barred from attending after being "subjected to church discipline."
On July 7, 2002, according to the suit, the Strunks and other unnamed members were barred from entering the church.
The suit alleged Puskar used law enforcement officers to prohibit the Stunks from attending Sunday services.
A rift among conservative church members erupted after Puskar allowed a Bible translation other than the King James Version to be used at the church, the newspaper reported.
Puskar told the newspaper he was delighted the Strunks dropped their suit.
"We believe that we, as disciples of Christ, are commanded to forgive those who harm us, not seek compensation," he said.
