Was that headline mean? I’m sorry, but the silliness of this story, which centres around one couple’s quest to annoy/sue the hell out of their entire apartment building, warranted it. The ridiculous story unfolds like this:
On Saturdays, Dr. Dena Coleman and her husband Gordon claim they are imprisoned in their condo because the landlord went and installed a motion-sensing security light to save energy and money. As Orthodox Jews, they say triggering the light violates a Sabbath rule, so they sued. Which rule? The Promethean one:
[The couple]claim they cannot leave their holiday flat on the Sabbath because when they do they automatically trigger the light in the communal hallway – contravening a religious ban on turning on electrical items from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday because it constitutes ‘creating fire’. They say their human rights are being breached and are now suing the flats’ management company – their neighbours – for failing to accommodate their religion.
Of the 35 other owners in the complex, not a single one of them supports the Colemans’ lawsuit or their suggested fix, which entails forcing the management company to install a custom override switch. Oh, and management and the other tenants must pay back all the legal costs too.
Adding insult to injury is the fact that this is just the couple’s holiday flat.
The case is scheduled for later this year. May the management install even more motion-sensing lights in that span. [Daily Mail - Thanks, Sctoland]
Nathan
July 20, 2009 at 9:17 AM
Gizmodo I think u have lost the plot. I come on gizmodo hoping to catch a glimpse of a new tech or gadget, not religious bashing.
Report PermalinkWhite Raven
July 20, 2009 at 9:49 AM
There’s a difference between “religious bashing” and “idiot bashing”.
And so what if it’s an extra post that’s not about a new gadget? Did it hurt you to read it? So it’s a slow news day… Cry more please.
Report Permalinkanon
July 20, 2009 at 9:22 AM
So, do they expect to go outside and not see any lights on?? They should depart from modern civilization and go live like the Amish.
Report PermalinkJon
July 20, 2009 at 9:31 AM
I disagree Nathan. I think this is very interesting, gadget related news – and thats what Giz is all about!
Report Permalinkmatt
July 20, 2009 at 9:55 AM
idiots, the item is ALWAYS ON its just not LIT UP, so walking in front of it doesn’t “turn it on”.
anyway, we don’t have anything against their religion, we do have something against them using it as an excuse for moneygrabbing lawsuits.
Report PermalinkDousatsu
July 21, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Speak for yourself there Matt, I have a lot against their religion, and any religion for that matter.
Kudos Giz! Just a shame this wasn’t posted weeks ago when it was actually news :(
Report Permalinkattila
July 20, 2009 at 11:39 AM
The post is unfair though – as is apparent if you actually read the linked report. The lawsuit is not “moneygrabbing” – the couple involved had already offered to pay for the override switch themselves, but the management company refused.
I find most religious beliefs pretty stupid, but I do find the tone and approach of this post pretty obnoxious.
Report Permalinkmolo
July 21, 2009 at 12:12 AM
what s disgusting way to portray a religious belief.
Report PermalinkBeelzebub
July 29, 2009 at 2:49 AM
I don’t think there is a disgusting enough way to portay deeply held religious dopeyness. This story gives a new meaning to the saying
Report Permalink‘The lights are on but no-one’s at home’.
cr
August 1, 2009 at 4:18 AM
Getting past the emotion and proposing a low-tech yet energy-saving solution: any override device need not keep the light on for 24 hours, just turn the light on for a few minutes at a time periodically.
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