Caroline Jones is a cat breeder and veterinarian, and the owner of Feline Heaven

Caroline Jones is a cat breeder and veterinarian, and the owner of Feline Heaven. Jones exhibits her cats at shows, at which she has won many awards, and sells her cats to other breeders. Her cats and cattery are registered with the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in Iowa. Emails purporting to be from Jones’s employees and customers were sent to the CFA, alleging, among other things, that her cats were kept in deplorable conditions and treated cruelly and inhumanely. Reviews were posted falsely online stating that Jones was “a crazy cat lady” whose veterinarian license was revoked. Jones filed a suit in an Iowa state court, alleging defamation and emotional distress. A response to a subpoena identified the author of many of the emails and reviews as Elsie Williams, a competing breeder. The court entered a judgment in Jones’s favor and awarded her damages for the harm to her reputation, loss of income, and emotional distress. Williams appealed, arguing that the evidence did not support the award. Was Jones entitled to damages for defamation? In addition, the law provides for the protection of one’s reputation from false claims. Is this rooted in scriptural teaching? After reading Proverbs 22:1 and Ecclesiastes 7:1, please explain.