Jesus registered my hotrod
April 28, 2009 1:22 PM   Subscribe

"Jesus is to be mass-produced, imprinted on metal, given a reflective coat and sold for money." The Florida Senate is considering a bill to put Jesus Christ on a license plate. Governor Charlie ("No H.") Crist has come out in support of the bill (or at least in support of not vetoing it). [video]
posted by dersins (148 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
To sum up the upcoming thread. Calf. Golden. Icons. Church and State. Separation. WTF? LOLFLORIDA.
posted by The Whelk at 1:25 PM on April 28, 2009 [4 favorites]


He died for your Hummer.
posted by orthogonality at 1:27 PM on April 28, 2009 [10 favorites]


Related previous MeFi thread: ATHEIST license plate too offensive for Florida.
posted by ericb at 1:27 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


Here in Arkansas, we've got an ivory-billed woodpecker license plate. I bring this up because the ivory-billed woodpecker might also not exist.
posted by box at 1:28 PM on April 28, 2009 [20 favorites]


I wonder if this will make "Jesus Christ on a license plate" an acceptable faux swear...
posted by Chan at 1:28 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


Jesus Christ on a license plate!
posted by gurple at 1:28 PM on April 28, 2009 [6 favorites]


HWZT    HGN
posted by steef at 1:28 PM on April 28, 2009 [29 favorites]


This is one of those real world things that seems like it should be an Onion article. Like:

CHRIST-LOVING SIMPLETONS PROPOSE STATE OF FLORIDA BITE THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF MUMMY HAND THAT FEEDS IT
State Senate Elects to Fellate Poor, Largely Non-Voting Special Interest Bloc
posted by kittens for breakfast at 1:28 PM on April 28, 2009


"Christ"? What an asshole.
posted by Joe Beese at 1:29 PM on April 28, 2009 [3 favorites]


Stamped, not graven.
posted by anthill at 1:31 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


i would only get this plate if i could be so vain as to have jesus be right in the middle of my a55 rgy.
posted by the aloha at 1:31 PM on April 28, 2009


Well ding ding dang my dammalong ling long.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:31 PM on April 28, 2009 [9 favorites]



There is a heated competition on between us (Fl.) and Texas for the title of most parochial state in the union.
And we just moved ahead by an icon.
posted by notreally at 1:32 PM on April 28, 2009


This is nothing compared to California's new goatse.cx plates.
posted by Skot at 1:33 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


(A little more on the proposed "Can a Brotha Get a Break" amendment to the bill.)
posted by uncleozzy at 1:33 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


Putting Jesus on the bill? I think it's a great idea that Florida finally has decided to acknowledge the importance of latino immigrants.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:34 PM on April 28, 2009


ARM+PIT
posted by kuujjuarapik at 1:34 PM on April 28, 2009


I don't care if it rains or freezes
cuz i got my mass-produced, imprinted on metal, given a reflective coat and sold for money jesus
sittin on the rear bumper of my car

Comes in colors pink and pleasant,
Glows in the dark cause he's iridescent
Take him with you when you travel far.

Get yourself a sweet Madonna
Dressed in rhinestones sittin' on a
Pedestal of abalone shell.

Going ninety I ain't scary
Cause I got the Virgin Mary
Assurin' me that I won't go to Hell.
posted by spicynuts at 1:34 PM on April 28, 2009 [3 favorites]


To sum up the upcoming thread. Calf. Golden. Icons. Church and State. Separation. WTF? LOLFLORIDA.

No no. It has nothing to do with Floridians. It's their democratically elected representatives...
posted by c13 at 1:34 PM on April 28, 2009


Jesus is to be mass-produced, imprinted on metal, given a reflective coat and sold for money.

He'll also catch love-bugs, road grime and the occasional armadillo.

And only 2 weeks after Easter!
posted by jquinby at 1:34 PM on April 28, 2009


Also important to note that the Florida Senate officially holds Jesus to be a blond white guy who totally works out.
posted by dersins at 1:34 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


Current selections include Choose Life and Famiily Values.

"Vote Yes on 2" stickers not included with purchase.
posted by jbiz at 1:35 PM on April 28, 2009


New York Times: Is That Plate Speaking for the Driver or the State?
"...The Supreme Court has turned back at least four requests to hear cases concerning 'Choose Life' license plates in recent years. But the volume of litigation on this question and the doctrinal free-for-all it has given rise to in the lower courts have convinced many legal scholars that the court must soon step in.

There have been lawsuits in Arizona, California, Missouri, New Jersey and New York challenging denials of 'Choose Life' plates. And there have been a similar number of suits on the other side, challenging approvals of such plates, in Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee.

...But most of the appeals courts to consider 'Choose Life' license plates have ruled that specialty plates convey the positions of the motorists involved. The appeals court in Chicago, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, ruled against Illinois on this point. Specialty plates, the court said, are 'mobile billboards' for 'organizations and like-minded vehicle owners.'

But a Supreme Court decision in February, Pleasant Grove City v. Summum [PDF], may have complicated matters. The court ruled that a Utah city did not have to allow a minor religion to erect a monument to its Seven Aphorisms near a Ten Commandments monument in a public park, which for many purposes is a classic public forum open to all sorts of viewpoints.

The court acknowledged that the government could not discriminate among speakers in the park and among people handing out leaflets there. But permanent monuments, whether donated by private groups or commissioned by the government, are different, the court said. They are government speech.

The Seventh Circuit issued its ruling in the Illinois case before the Summum decision came down. Last month, the federal appeals court in St. Louis said the decision did not affect its conclusion that specialty plates are private speech. It ordered Missouri to issue a 'Choose Life' plate.

The Seventh Circuit went in the opposite direction. While conceding that specialty plates were private speech, the court said Illinois was nonetheless allowed to reject 'Choose Life' plates because it had 'excluded the entire subject of abortion from its specialty plate program' and so did not discriminate among perspectives on the subject.

It has been a long trip from 'Live Free or Die' to 'Choose Life.' The old case involved the question of what the government may force people to say. The new one asks what it must allow people to say.

Had the states not decided to make license plates a forum for a sometimes comical array of messages, the 'Choose Life' cases would be easy. But many states have turned their motor vehicle departments into a kind of souvenir shop. They may also have given up the right to decide what gets sold in them.

The next great First Amendment battleground, it turns out, is on the back of your car."
posted by ericb at 1:35 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


IN RI
posted by uncleozzy at 1:36 PM on April 28, 2009 [8 favorites]


It turns out the stigmata was the bolt where you fasten the plate to the car.
posted by bondcliff at 1:37 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


Also important to note that the Florida Senate officially holds Jesus to be a blond white guy who totally works out.
posted by dersins at 1:34 PM on April 28


It looks like Jesus blue himself.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 1:37 PM on April 28, 2009 [3 favorites]


It looks like he's checking himself out for armpit odor.
posted by lordrunningclam at 1:39 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


The picture makes jesus look like a Thalidomide baby.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 1:39 PM on April 28, 2009


> "Jesus is to be mass-produced, imprinted on metal, given a reflective coat and sold for money."

What's the big deal? This merely puts him in the company of Spider-Man, Santa Claus, Godzilla and many other fictional characters.
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:42 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


HNG TEN
posted by box at 1:44 PM on April 28, 2009 [4 favorites]


The picture makes jesus look like a Thalidomide baby.

It just looks...insanely tacky. I have a thousand more, well, substantial objections than that, mind you. But considering its whole function is decorative, it should really look less like something you'd find painted on black velvet and sold from the back of a van parked in a mall parking lot somewhere.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 1:45 PM on April 28, 2009


I say let them do it, as long as they produce another one with an image of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 1:46 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


Is it possible to buy stock in body shops? I anticipate a rise in rear-endings.
posted by The Light Fantastic at 1:47 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


Yeah....I want my Florida Baelzeebub license plate. Maybe one with Reverend Moon on it too.
posted by spicynuts at 1:48 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


I make it a policy never to let any religious figures near my tailpipe.
posted by emelenjr at 1:50 PM on April 28, 2009


I'm cool with it, as long as its historically accurate.

BLACK JESUS!

I'm sure the Swamp GOP will line up for them.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 1:51 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


EMRJKC'94,

I think representations of Muhammad are considered insulting to Muslim populations. I am not sure if what you are saying is that you think the FL Senate should insult Muslims or if you think they should reach out to them.
posted by Hypnotic Chick at 1:52 PM on April 28, 2009


This will go great with my Busty Mary Magdalene sexy sillhouette mudflaps.
posted by Ufez Jones at 1:52 PM on April 28, 2009 [4 favorites]


Oh, but kittens, it should look like something you'd find painted on black velvet and sold from the back of a van parked in a mall parking lot somewhere. Because that's exactly the level of piety it expresses - zero thought, team-mascot level theology.

This should only be allowed if the pagans get one too.
posted by Jilder at 1:52 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


FLG MVON
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:52 PM on April 28, 2009


DAD WTF
posted by Ratio at 1:52 PM on April 28, 2009 [22 favorites]


Holy crap.
posted by katillathehun at 1:53 PM on April 28, 2009


LOL BRB
posted by Ratio at 1:53 PM on April 28, 2009 [12 favorites]


INRI
posted by ericb at 1:56 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


Or, what uncleozzy said!
posted by ericb at 1:56 PM on April 28, 2009


2LNG DNR
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:56 PM on April 28, 2009


The whole "specialty license plate" thing is absurd to begin with. This is just taking it to its logical, super-absurd, conclusion.
posted by mr_roboto at 1:57 PM on April 28, 2009


Hypnotic Chick, my opinion is that the Florida government should not produce licence plates with religious images on them, but I also think it shouldn't produce licence plates with sports team logos on them, and I feel that it is at the very end of a long list of things that is wrong with the Florida government, and thus the whole endeavour is worthy of mockery.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 1:57 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


JAY ZUS
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:58 PM on April 28, 2009 [3 favorites]


SRY SON
posted by Ratio at 2:03 PM on April 28, 2009 [4 favorites]


LDS LOL
posted by box at 2:03 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


H2O PLZ
posted by Ratio at 2:05 PM on April 28, 2009 [5 favorites]


This is a great idea! I wish I had three cars:

DE AD
666 666
2L 2Q
posted by mazola at 2:06 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


HLY ROLR
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:08 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


EMRJKC'94,

I heartily agree with what you are saying. As a Catholic, I find this very upsetting.

One thing to consider, however, is that the state is facing a deep budget deficit. State revenues come from sales taxes (declining) that have hundreds of loop holes (not declining). Our economy is based on construction. Our legislature...Republican and unrealistic. The opportunities for revenue generation within a very limited Supply-Side ideology are so small.

But none of this is stupidity (manyare so quick to call us Floridians stupid). It is faith. Faith in a economic model that does not serve anyone but the economically (and, thusly) powerful. In the name of that faith, those of us who respect our religious beliefs must face this, ridiculous, insult.
posted by Hypnotic Chick at 2:11 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


"...not as the world giveth, give I unto you..."

I'm pretty sure that a trend of boiling down expressions of faith to bumper-sticker soundbites and displays was not what Matt 5:16 was about, either.
posted by weston at 2:12 PM on April 28, 2009


You know Jesus only rolls in an automatic. It's tough driving a stick shift with a hole in your hand.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:13 PM on April 28, 2009 [6 favorites]


GHSTBSTR2
posted by YoBananaBoy at 2:14 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


GO2 HEL
posted by Ratio at 2:18 PM on April 28, 2009


Jesus built my hotrod.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:20 PM on April 28, 2009


damn; just saw the post title
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:22 PM on April 28, 2009


Actually Crist's idea of using a single standard plate, with specialty stickers, is not such a bad idea at all. The explosion of specialty plates has pretty much made it impossible to identify a state design by eye. Used to be, you saw a blue plate with white letters, there weren't very many states it could be from. Now, who the hell knows.

But what do I care what the Floridians want to put on their plates? Hell, I guess I'd be the last person to complain about a loony license plate given the one on my car.
posted by caution live frogs at 2:23 PM on April 28, 2009


"Christ"? What an asshole.

Actually, by all accounts he was a pretty cool dude. Unfortunately, a lot of people seemed to miss the point of what he was saying completely and decided that simply worshiping him without actually following his teachings was enough to be a "good person" and get into heaven.

Examples of "missing the point" might include using pictures of a guy that walked everywhere as a tag for a device that generally eliminates the very need for that.
posted by quin at 2:24 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


Oh, for Christ's sake.
posted by dirigibleman at 2:27 PM on April 28, 2009


...you saw a blue plate with white letters, there weren't very many states it could be from.

The Connecticut plate of my youth.
posted by ericb at 2:27 PM on April 28, 2009


Again showing how forward thinking Muslims were.
posted by GuyZero at 2:28 PM on April 28, 2009


But you know, I could tolerate this if only they could be inclusive of all religious beliefs & offer appropriate designs to all.

For example: I, for one, would love to have a Hummer with an image of Lord Jagganath on the licence plates.
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:29 PM on April 28, 2009


Goes great with trailer testes too!
posted by wobh at 2:31 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


There was a story about atheist groups in the NY Times a few days ago, and the story featured a link to the secular humanist license plate* that South Carolina has. That link lead to the South Carolina License plate gallery. which features SIX different NASCAR plates, a Shag plate, and a Chiropractor plate!


*secular humanist plate says "in reason we trust"
posted by vespabelle at 2:32 PM on April 28, 2009


"Christ"? What an asshole.

Actually, by all accounts he was a pretty cool dude. Unfortunately, a lot of people seemed to miss the point of what he was saying completely


...Governor Charlie ("No H.") Crist has come out in support of the bill ....

Looks like they still do..
posted by c13 at 2:37 PM on April 28, 2009


OPN WDE
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 2:44 PM on April 28, 2009


Jesus died for our rims.

That popped in my head years ago. Now it's time to cash in!
posted by defenestration at 2:48 PM on April 28, 2009


Charlie Crist has come out?
posted by kirkaracha at 2:48 PM on April 28, 2009


BD SM
posted by Ron Thanagar at 2:51 PM on April 28, 2009


2LNG DNRDMV

FTFY.
posted by spaceman_spiff at 2:52 PM on April 28, 2009


From my admittedly unscientific survey, all of the Christians in FL already have those fish on the back of their cars, signaling their Christianity. Why would they need a license plate also?
posted by wittgenstein at 2:57 PM on April 28, 2009


What's the problem? One of the USA's most conservative states wants to put a picture of one of history's greatest liberals on it's license plate!
posted by ZenMasterThis at 3:00 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


Jesus H. Christ on a stick plate.

Plates are for change they'll tell me next.
posted by alicesshoe at 3:01 PM on April 28, 2009


I WEEP
posted by mosk at 3:03 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


I find the idea of putting Jesus on a license plate rather blasphemous, myself. Celebrate your lord by covering him in road filth and pollution! Yay! Not to mention the horrible juxtaposition of Christ on the cross and the words, "Sunshine State!" right underneath him. Ugh.


And a shout out to my fellow Christians who put the fishes on their cars, then drive like jerks. Thanks for setting the example!
posted by Atreides at 3:06 PM on April 28, 2009


FSM FTW
posted by bhance at 3:08 PM on April 28, 2009 [2 favorites]


And a shout out to my fellow Christians who put the fishes on their cars, then drive like jerks.

Oh, that's for Christian? I thought that just meant "WARNING: Driver swerves right and left between lanes like a fish swimming in a pond"
posted by qvantamon at 3:09 PM on April 28, 2009


Since this is Metafilter, we need some asshole to come in here and make a lame "We could overthink a plate of Jesus" crack.

I will be that asshole.
posted by Skot at 3:09 PM on April 28, 2009 [5 favorites]


BTW, I heard licencing in FL is going to cost 30 piece of silver per plate.
posted by qvantamon at 3:11 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


HE DrIvE FOR YOU
posted by mazola at 3:15 PM on April 28, 2009


MetaFilter: Overthinking a plate of license.
posted by mazola at 3:16 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


Why can't Christianity have a moratorium on representations of the prophet/saviour like Islam? That really would make life a lot easier in many respects, especially regarding this nonsense.
posted by asok at 3:17 PM on April 28, 2009


They also have a speciality plate for public transport:

JEE BUS
posted by djgh at 3:19 PM on April 28, 2009 [7 favorites]


Shooting. Fish. Barrel. Very little water.
posted by LMGM at 3:25 PM on April 28, 2009


Funny. J.C. and state organizations don’t have a history of getting along too well.
NLDM AGN
posted by Smedleyman at 3:29 PM on April 28, 2009


IN RI
posted by WPW at 3:32 PM on April 28, 2009


N41L M3
THO RNY
OW CH
NO SPRZ
HNDY MN
STL DED
DAD WHY


These practically write themselves.

I'm going to burn for this.

Bumper sticker: God is my co-Pilate.
posted by Decimask at 3:33 PM on April 28, 2009 [5 favorites]


Oh, Eric B got there first. Consider mine the second coming.
posted by WPW at 3:34 PM on April 28, 2009


Ratio, sorry...couldn't help it.

LOL BRB
posted by Sandor Clegane at 3:34 PM on April 28, 2009


Charlie Crist has come out?

Trailer for the documentary film mentioned in the hyperlink: 'Outrage' (which premieres this week at the Tribeca Film Fest).
posted by ericb at 3:35 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


Oh, Eric B got there first. Consider mine the second coming.

Actually, I didn't. uncleozzy beat us both.
posted by ericb at 3:37 PM on April 28, 2009


We need someone to give that plate the "On Notice" treatment.
posted by Decimask at 3:37 PM on April 28, 2009


Dang. How about 3IN ONE?
posted by WPW at 3:44 PM on April 28, 2009


BYE SIN
posted by WPW at 3:45 PM on April 28, 2009


"That link lead to the South Carolina License plate gallery. which features SIX different NASCAR plates, a Shag plate, and a Chiropractor plate!"

And a Pearl Harbour plate: The Pearl Harbor plate is available to residents who 1) were a member of the United States Armed Forces on December 7, 1941; 2) were on station on December 7, 1941, during the hours of 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., Hawaii time at Pearl Harbor, the Island of Oahu, or offshore at a distance not exceeding three miles; and 3) received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces. I wonder how many of those they hand out?
posted by Mitheral at 3:46 PM on April 28, 2009


LOLflorida
posted by cazoo at 3:50 PM on April 28, 2009


NAILME
posted by unsupervised at 4:04 PM on April 28, 2009


LOL FLA
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 4:06 PM on April 28, 2009


I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS DOESN'T BREAK THE 10 COMMANDMENTS!

Yes, that's meant to be a big, loud all-caps shout. WTF. This isn't a graven image? I've felt the same way about the cross, the flag, and the idea/actual 10 commandment statues. Aren't these all, to the xtians who get all hot and sweaty over them, examples of worshiping an image or, at the very least, putting faith and power into it when you're supposed to be directing that energy to God?

*sigh*
posted by Bageena at 4:07 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


4GIV M3
posted by box at 4:10 PM on April 28, 2009


Yes, that's meant to be a big, loud all-caps shout. WTF. This isn't a graven image?

Bageena, c'mon. That only counts if you're talking about non-Christians. The image of the Son of God can - no, should - be stamped on license plates, cocktail napkins, screensavers, and trucker hats. Just to name a few. Bring on the Jesus Pez dispensers, amen.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 4:21 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


HWZT HGN

I don't get it.
posted by spiderskull at 4:21 PM on April 28, 2009


If I were Christian and a commuter, I would not want any features that indicated my religion on my car because it would make me seem to be a complete hypocrite when I crossed three lanes of traffic, cutting off cars in each lane and then flipping them off.

When I do that, I would want people to think that it was likely an atheist who did it, not a Christian ignoring the WWJD rule.

Also, this in honor of the title.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:23 PM on April 28, 2009


I don't get it.

"How's it hanging" Get it? Because he's hanging. On a cross.

Also, looks like someone beat me to the Pez dispenser idea.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 4:23 PM on April 28, 2009


Yes, but the Jesus-eating-Darwin plate will be next. . .
posted by rdone at 4:32 PM on April 28, 2009


DARWIND
posted by empath at 4:33 PM on April 28, 2009


CRUZN
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:35 PM on April 28, 2009


If there's one thing Jesus was in favor of, it was reinforcing the status quo by making a public show of your religion.
posted by DoctorFedora at 4:37 PM on April 28, 2009 [7 favorites]


Who is this Sam Ple?
posted by pianomover at 4:38 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


DoctorFedora: "If there's one thing Jesus was in favor of, it was reinforcing the status quo by making a public show of your religion."

I see they also have money changers Giving Kiosks in Florida churches, too. Jesus was a huge fan of convenient currency transactions in churches, in fact it was one of the last things he set up before he died.
posted by mullingitover at 5:49 PM on April 28, 2009


This isn't a graven image? I've felt the same way about the cross, the flag, and the idea/actual 10 commandment statues. Aren't these all, to the xtians who get all hot and sweaty over them, examples of worshiping an image or, at the very least, putting faith and power into it when you're supposed to be directing that energy to God?

When I was a practicing artist I did a show, class and seminar at a very conservative Christian school in Indiana, which made sense, because my art was all abstract images from the Bible, including the Stations of the Cross, Golgotha, various Bible heroines, etc. When kids at this college reamed me for my heathen abstract art, I pointed out that the commandment against graven images could reasonably be interpreted to say that it was blasphemous not just to depict god, or people (who are in god's image after all), but any of god's creation, because it implied that a human artist could duplicate the creation.

To their credit, they got it. But they had never before considered what that commandment meant.

I find this licence plate offensive to the point that when I saw it on Wonkette earlier today I experienced actual anger. LOLXTIANs is not an appropriate response. This thing is offensive. It's consumerist religion. And it's not just a graven image, it's not just shallow, it's bad art. Put your Christian faith or your abortion stance on your licence plate, I don't give a shit. But can you at least do it with some moderate nod to taste and aesthetics?
posted by nax at 5:51 PM on April 28, 2009 [4 favorites]


Would "3-- --E" give Jesus arms and hands?
posted by mazola at 6:31 PM on April 28, 2009 [3 favorites]


TUFF LUV
posted by fourcheesemac at 6:57 PM on April 28, 2009


SHT HPPNS
posted by fourcheesemac at 6:58 PM on April 28, 2009


I think I could support a Buddy Christ* version of the license plate, though.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 6:59 PM on April 28, 2009


I've never understood how people who say things like "I'm going to heaven" or drive around with license plate frames which state "in case of Rapture, this car will be unoccupied" aren't guilty of the sin of Pride and therefore unlikely to actually see heaven or be one of the saved. Same thing with businesses which add the fish to their advertisements--isn't that the worst sort of blasphemy?

I would think this sort of license plate would fall under that general set of stuff, wouldn't it?
posted by maxwelton at 7:03 PM on April 28, 2009


GOD WIN
posted by Decimask at 7:15 PM on April 28, 2009


Somewhat related, but I get mad when I see Jesus-themed custom license plates -- "JESUSFAN" and so on. The reason it bothers me is that I applied for a series of Satan (including obscure ones like "BAAL 616" and "NATAS") and they were rejected as "offensive".
posted by glider at 7:18 PM on April 28, 2009


And so the religionuts push Christianity further into irrelevancy.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:26 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


glider: there's a black beemer (series 3, I think) with a SATAN plate in Seattle (really, I've seen it around my home a few times).

I suppose that's Old-Testament Satan, because I totally picture Lucifer in a red Corvette.
posted by qvantamon at 8:24 PM on April 28, 2009


4 JUDAS
posted by netbros at 8:29 PM on April 28, 2009


I'm so proud of my home state. (sigh...)
posted by saulgoodman at 8:41 PM on April 28, 2009


He died for your Hummer.
how much more guilt do i need... he has placed a burden on my car.
posted by the aloha at 8:54 PM on April 28, 2009


WEL HNG
DED IRL
posted by empath at 9:06 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


I wonder how hard it would be to get enough of these plates to make into a pogo stick.
posted by adipocere at 9:06 PM on April 28, 2009


Yes, but the Jesus-eating-Darwin plate will be next

i saw one of these the other day
posted by pyramid termite at 9:21 PM on April 28, 2009 [1 favorite]


I have always felt that it is best to identify drivers who believe that things will be better after they die, so that I can give them a wide berth.
posted by pompomtom at 11:03 PM on April 28, 2009


And so the religionuts push Christianity further into irrelevancy.

The Republicans are leading the way.
posted by fourcheesemac at 4:04 AM on April 29, 2009


Just like Cop Rock made singing irrelevant.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 4:17 AM on April 29, 2009


"That link lead to the South Carolina License plate gallery. which features SIX different NASCAR plates, a Shag plate, and a Chiropractor plate!"

If I had to live in Florida, I would find it very difficult to even own a car. Hell, I am offended that the default plate advertises their URL.

Everything fucked up in this country comes from Florida.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 8:34 AM on April 29, 2009


RUD DUD
posted by cog_nate at 8:38 AM on April 29, 2009


Everything fucked up in this country comes from Florida.

It;s like you've never even heard of Texas, or something.
posted by dersins at 9:03 AM on April 29, 2009


4 SAKN
posted by HumanComplex at 9:12 AM on April 29, 2009 [2 favorites]


BRGHTSDE
posted by kirkaracha at 10:17 AM on April 29, 2009


It's bad enough I have to see the anti-choice license plates on my daily commute (without being able to get a pro-choice one, even). Now I have to see Dead God? I have to get the fuck out of Florida.

DED GOD.
posted by cereselle at 11:29 AM on April 29, 2009


I'm genuinely sad that there's apparently no Christian on Mefi that could answer my question.
posted by Bageena at 3:09 PM on April 29, 2009


Sorry, Bageena, I got cut up in my own sarcasm. To answer your question, the second commandment in its modern interprettation is prohibition of worshipping a graven image, but yes, the King James text of Exodus 20:4-6 is "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."

So as long you're not worshipping the license plate as an idol, you should be alright. But still tacky.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:15 PM on April 29, 2009


More specifically, you'll notice the passage refers to making images of animals and worshipping them. Previously, interprettation was pretty strict, and some sects (such as the Puritans) took it to mean images of Jesus Christ as well. But over time this relaxed to settle upon the "golden calf" interprettation today.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:21 PM on April 29, 2009


Which raises an obvious question for me; since this isn't a graven image, nor is it intended for any kind of worship, when can I expect to get my golden calf license plate?

That would be so freakin' cool.
posted by quin at 3:29 PM on April 29, 2009


Not sure about the license plate, but I know one golden calf (or bull, rather) that one group of Christians has no problem praying to.
posted by Marisa Stole the Precious Thing at 3:40 PM on April 29, 2009 [1 favorite]


Thanks for answering, Marisa Stole the Precious Thing. I had wanted to respond, but simply didn't have the time. Along the lines of the Reformation, many took it to mean any image, be it a stained glass window or a statue. Whole churches were "cleansed" of their graven images in northern Europe at the outset of the Reformation, and in one town, when they finished with their church, they turned on a nearby Orthodox Church and all it's icons. That congregation wasn't so happy.

In another case, a town grabbed a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, and tested to see if it was a witch. This test involved throwing it in the river, and the not so surprising result was that the statue floated, thus proving she was a witch. Subsequently, the Virgin Mary was burned at the stake. Obviously, as Marisa Stole the Precious Thing pointed out, this interpretation of the commandment has since become more relaxed.
posted by Atreides at 5:23 PM on April 29, 2009


Nobody's noticed how lousy that drawing is? It's an anatomical nightmare!
BAD PECS
posted by maryh at 3:47 AM on April 30, 2009


Thank you Marissa. You continue to rock AND to roll.
posted by Bageena at 7:15 AM on April 30, 2009


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