# Would Godzilla be an "Act of God?" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 18, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335 "2003-03-18T18:32:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/21 "2003-03-19T15:31:47Z")
Does the legal system have any provision for sentient non-human life? For instance the US’s 14th Amendment says ‘Any person… born…’ Is Godzilla a person? He is presumably sueable if and only if he is? ---
**Author:** ![Black\_Train\_Song](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Black\_Train\_Song](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Black_Train_Song)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/22 "2003-03-19T15:42:54Z")
I can’t fathom how the word GOD got worked into legal jargon. God is different things to different people. What if I’m an athiest?Or what if I think that everything is an act of god? Couldn’t they just use the word NATURE instead? I think they chose the word GOD for its vague qualities. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/23 "2003-03-19T16:10:29Z")
Sometimes it is termed an “act of nature” or “vis major” or “force majeure.” “Act of God” is just a holdover from ye olde English law, when God’s existence was just taken as a certainty. Remeber, this whole separation of church and state thing is a fairly recent innovation. ---
**Author:** ![Arken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@Arken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arken)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/24 "2003-03-19T16:14:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > **I beg to differ. In several of the movies documenting Godzilla’s travels, Godzilla is shown to be a thinking creature capable of making decisions. Obviously a class action suit against Mr. Zilla would be appropriate.** Not just thinking! In _Destroy All Monsters_ the big green guy could _talk_ too! (Admittedly he spoke Monsterese, but apparently monsterese is fairly complex since it seemed to have actual words and structure). The other problem with suing Godzilla is that, as we found out in _Godzilla 2000_, there’s a little Godzilla in all of us. That means we’d have to sue ourselves too! ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/25 "2003-03-19T16:16:25Z")
Couldn’t Kenny, that little kid with the tight shorts and the baby sunhat, be held partially responsible? Seems to me he was always calling up Godzilla. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/26 "2003-03-19T17:22:58Z")
[hijack] > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > Disclaimer: I am a lawyer, but I am neither your lawyer nor Godzilla’s lawyer. I do not practice in a Godzilla related field, and am not competent to offer advice in the event of Godzilla attacks beyond _Run!!! It’s Godzilla!!!_ Anyone else think this should be **pravnik** ’s new sig line? [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/27 "2003-03-19T17:29:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*Couldn’t Kenny, that little kid with the tight shorts and the baby sunhat, be held partially responsible? Seems to me he was always calling up Godzilla. \*\* Purely in the interests of keeping this thread grounded in fact, I feel I must point out that Kenny was the avatar of the Giant Turtle Gamera. ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/28 "2003-03-19T17:38:44Z")
Who wants to be the first to serve legal papers to an angry, 500 foot high fire breathing reptile? ---
**Author:** ![False\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee7513/32.png) [@False\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/False_God)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/29 "2003-03-19T18:05:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NutWrench \* > \*\*Who wants to be the first to serve legal papers to an angry, 500 foot high fire breathing reptile? \*\* What does John Ashcroft have to do with this? ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/30 "2003-03-19T19:13:10Z")
I have nothing to add to this discussion, except to note one thing. History shows again and again how nature points up the folly of man…GODZILLA! ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/31 "2003-03-19T20:04:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by paperbackwriter \* > **Anyone else think this should be pravnik’s new sig line?** Dunno about sig line, but I sure do think it’s the Best. Disclaimer. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/32 "2003-03-19T23:19:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by paperbackwriter \* > \*\*Anyone else think this should be **pravnik** ’s new sig line? \*\* Well, okay, if you really think so. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/33 "2003-03-19T23:20:34Z")
There we go. ---
**Author:** ![slipster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@slipster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slipster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/34 "2003-03-19T23:29:52Z")
Just a nitpick: wouldn’t the style of the case be _Tokyo vs. Godzilla_? After all, Godzilla would not be filing suit over the damage he caused. It would be far likelier for Godzilla to sue the U.S. for, IIRC, it was irresponsible nuclear testing which caused him to hatch. On the other hand, “wrongful life” cases have never, as yet, succeeded that I know of. Insurance policies likely would not cover destruction by a 500-foot tall radioactive monster. For one thing, policies generally specify the hazards they are covering rather narrowly, and it seems unlikely that any underwriter would have had the foresight to include Godzilla under the sources of casualty covered, at least prior to the first movie. Secondly, insurance policies often exclude coverage for damage from events such as riots, and it seems likely that a Godzilla attack would receive similar treatment. Possibly, though, the Japanese government, under pressure from the electorate, would initiate a government-subsidized insurance program for monster attacks, much as governments do for drop disasters and floods. ---
**Author:** ![paperbackwriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@paperbackwriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paperbackwriter)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/35 "2003-03-20T01:57:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pravnik \* > \*\*There we go. \*\* Oh, jeez, now I’ve done it and been mentioned in some-one else’s sig. I guess this means that “stealth mode” is over? 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/36 "2003-03-20T02:51:28Z")
This is surely a sign of the Apocalypse: **banhattan** (the avatar of **manny** that closes threads and makes heads roll) has witnessed an IMHO thread, lo, it is mundane and pointless unto the highest MPSIMSian reaches, and demands little, if any, thought to participate, and he has seen fit to keep it open and here in the Intellectual Zion of General Questions. Glory, the Return of Cecil is upon us! The Researcher Shall Awaken! [sub]When resurrect, bring pie.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/37 "2003-03-20T03:07:29Z")
Wouldn’t _Tokyo vs. Godzilla_ be tried in a Japanese court? If so the outcome is obvious: the trial will drag on for decades until it’s long forgotten and the original plaintiffs have died of old age. Like that subway sarin gas attack - the trial is still going on. (Some members have been sentenced, but not the cult leader.) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/38 "2003-03-20T03:28:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by msmith537 \* > \*\*It seems like it would be dificult to find a lawyer licensed to practice on Monster Island. \*\* It’s a misnomer. It’s actually a peninsula. ---
**Author:** ![keeper0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@keeper0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keeper0)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/39 "2003-03-26T18:14:23Z")
_Brought to you, originally, by_ **Slipster** [q]It would be far likelier for Godzilla to sue the U.S. for, IIRC, it was irresponsible nuclear testing which caused him to hatch. On the other hand, “wrongful life” cases have never, as yet, succeeded that I know of. [/q] “Wrongful life” perhaps not, but could he file a paternity suit against the U.S. for child support on his own behalf? At least until he was 18. Goodness knows, I wouldn’t want to have to pay for those braces. ---
**Author:** ![Humble\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@Humble\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Humble_Servant)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335/40 "2003-03-26T19:14:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arken \* > **Not just thinking! In _Destroy All Monsters_ the big green guy could _talk_ too! (Admittedly he spoke Monsterese, but apparently monsterese is fairly complex since it seemed to have actual words and structure).** See, this and the “sentient being as a person” issue are gonna be key. Many insurance policies exlude coverage for “intentional criminal acts.” You get yourself murdered, you can sue your murderer (assuming he has any assets), but neither his nor your homeowner’s policy will pay. Thus, we must ask ourselves whether Godzilla has the _mens rea_ for murder, arson and criminal destruction of property, and whether his actions were criminal or merely negligent. We could hope to attach Godzilla’s potential future earnings from, say, book and movie deals. I know a couple of entertainment lawyers that would eat him for lunch in contract negotiations. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-godzilla-be-an-act-of-god/162335.md?page=3)