Regardless of your religious persuasion most human beings surely recognize that a Jesus vanity plate is a not a reasonable offering to be included in Florida's stable of over 100 different vanity plates. I would assume it's a violation of church and state and apparently so did the Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Although the initial proposal made it as far as the state senate floor just 2 weeks ago, the crucified Jesus plate (below - yes it's real) and the stained glass window plate that read "I believe" were voted down. "I believe" referring to the sci-fi television show X-files and Fox Mulder's belief in aliens. I think.
Personally I like my "Everglades River of Grass" plate although I'm sure someone could make an argument against such a Pagan statement.
I am truly surprised that we haven't had such a plate proposed here in Texas.
ReplyDeleteI have "Friends of Tibet" plates and every once in a while a random chinese person will tell me off and it usually takes me a minute or two to figure out how I'm standing in the way of the Great March Forward Towards Victory and Progress. When someone walks up to me and tells me off in a parking lot, my license plate is usually the last thing to pop into my head, although that's starting to not be the case. Apparently some christians consider these plates a godless violation of the separation of church and state as well. Which is fraught with irony, now isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWell, freedom of speech I guess and if there is a market for it, the gov't is going to try to make money from it. They aren't telling us to love jesus, so I think it's different than the whole church and state deal.(though i think he's super cool as a healer in a non christian totally spiritual universe way) How much do vanity plates cost in FL? Religion for some is like baseball for others...and don't they make Redsox plates in MA?! I personally find the image of jesus to be sad. Regardless of anyone's beliefs he was a man that died and now he's on a license plate? Seems sort of heartless.
ReplyDelete-Fireflower
The First Amendment of our constitutuion says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion; or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." So we have the freedom to support and practice from a wide diversity of religious beliefs without the governments interference. The government treats all religions equally but the separation of church and state is a benefit to everyone. When the government of the people diminishes that separation and favors one religion or religious icon over another (and in this case for the sake of potential revenue!?!) it erodes the freedoms that we have in place. I respect people's religious leanings but I don't think a religious figure belongs on a government issued, revenue generating license plate. Spoonbills are fine.
ReplyDeleteThe senate said no...the first amendment speaks of congress. A loophole? I don't think it belongs. I'm off to go worship the spoonbills. It's a trap. There is no way to include all religions without also including those that don't believe in religions. With such a market someone will surely make bumper stickers instead to show their devotion...
ReplyDelete-Fireflower
There's just no need to do it other than one of the state legislatures hoped to have his lord and savior on his plate. Why? It's disrespectful to Jesus anyway.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably dating myself, but in my childhood years, a plastic statue was very common riding inside a vehicle on the dashboard. There was even a song of sorts at the time (think very country): I don't care if it rains or freezes, 'long as I have my plastic Jesus riding on the dashboard of my car... My mom didn't have one.
ReplyDeleteI have a Dawkins "A" on our cars. Though, I must admit, the stickers are on the inside door rim and can only be seen when the door is open. Don't want a Jesus loving cop to stop me for nothing.
ReplyDelete