We Told You! This Is A Christian Nation!
by The Monkey on 04/28/08 filed under Favorites religion
According to an AOL poll, Christianity Is THE ONLY Religion That Deserves Its Own License Plate
Venganza.org reports that Florida is considering a religious speciality license plate for its automobiles. The proposed plates, which include a cross and the words “I Believe,” promotes Christianity.
From the original article on AOL:
Some lawmakers say the state should be careful. Rep. Kelly Skidmore said she is a Roman Catholic and goes to Mass on Sundays, but she believes the “I Believe” plate is inappropriate for the government to produce.
What’s The Harm In That?
Maybe it will pass, maybe it won’t. But what’s the harm? We already have church billboards, bumper stickers, and other advertising. Why not let the religions have this one?
Well…I followed FSM’s article through to the AOL’s story and participated in their poll. The poll asked two simple yes-or-no questions:
- What do you think of Florida’s proposal to offer a Christian license plate?
- How would you feel about license plates that promoted other religions?
I was appalled at the results.
Not All Religions Should Be Allowed On A License Plate, Just Christianity
People who took this poll love the idea of promoting their own religion, but don’t necessarily think other religions should be able to do the same.
The numbers above reflect the results at the time I took the poll. Roughly 77,453 people thought it’d be ok to promote their own religion on a license plate, but only 51,660 people thought it’d be OK if other religions did too. That’s a difference of 25,793. Granted 9,728 more people took the poll on the left and not the right, but that still leaves a staggering 16,065 who don’t think non-Christian religions should be allowed to have their own license plate. At the very least.
Talk about religious intolerance!
I sincerely hope most Christians would not vote against other religions like this, but it does raise questions. Exactly who took part in this poll? Is it because the U.S. is perceived as a Christian nation? Are Christians threatened by other religions? What?
Ristin
Apr 28th, 2008
I think it is very beneficial to mark the delusional people in our midst. It would serve as a warning about irrational and potentially dangerous behaviour from people with a poor grasp of reality.
I think all religions should have their own license plate for this purpose.
The Monkey
Apr 28th, 2008
Right on Ristin! If one religion gets it, they all should have the same opportunity.
Ugly American
Apr 29th, 2008
It’s a trick question.
Religious nuts shouldn’t be allowed to drive.
A few years ago in Las Vegas, a Christian ’saw demons’ on the sidewalk and since he was a ‘Warrior for Christ’ he turned his car into the crowd and murdered 2 people and crippled 12 others.
Bibles don’t kill people,
people who believe Bibles kill people.
The Monkey
Apr 29th, 2008
Along the same lines as “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”? I like it! Good analogy, I’d have to agree.
Mike Meier
Apr 29th, 2008
I voted in that poll. I think your interpretation of the results needs to be rethought. I voted thumbs down on both questions. That is, no Christian plates -and- no religious plates at all. We’d need to know who voted how on both question, then compare the four possible combinations, to be able to say much. Well, the first question was obvious, but I mean to understand the second question. Well, I suppose some people could have voted for plates for all religions except Christianity, an down/up answer. Maybe the site offering the survey will share those results with you, if they have them.
Hrafnkell
Apr 30th, 2008
If this license plate is produced, the state should produce license plates for every other conceivable religion as well or it does equal an endorsement of one particular religion, which is a violation of the Constitution.
The Monkey
Apr 30th, 2008
Mike, I totally agree. The AOL poll is certainly not an credible source of information. AOL admits its results are unofficial and unscientific.
But I’m not trying to get by on technicalities, here. That’s a pretty wide gap! As unofficial as the poll is, the shear quantity of voters speaks…
dave
Apr 30th, 2008
I never thought of it used like a handicapped plate. But I still don’t like it. hristianity isnt known for its tolerence anyway.
The Monkey
Apr 30th, 2008
Dave, I certainly don’t think of it as a handicapped plate. Based on the article above, it might be easy to say that these Christians are not tolerant. Hopefully this is not representative of Christians worldwide.
DB
Apr 30th, 2008
The next story we will hear is about all the “intolerant vandalism” of xian cars in Florida. It is like when you wash a car a bird craps on it right away. This plate is a bigger bullseye than that stupid fish sticker.
The Monkey
Apr 30th, 2008
DB, you raise a good point about the fish sticker. Every religion has bumper stickers and air fresheners for their car. If there is any shred of truth to the stats above, I don’t understand why Christians would have any problem with license plates of other religions.
DB
Apr 30th, 2008
Like I mentioned in one of my posts, If I can get one with the FSM on it, then I am all about it! But, again, I don’t think that was their intention in pushing these plates. I doubt all these guys voting for the plates really want a bunch of Crecent Moons, Stars of David, or Wiccan symbols on their plates, but that is what they will get. Rather “should” get as we know that wasn’t the intention.
Indrani Bhattacharya
May 1st, 2008
I’m an Indian woman writing from India. I agree with Mike.
If any one religion is allowed to enjoy special priviledges, whatever those may be, the others will demand for the same rights and I’m not sure displays of religiosity are necessary or even healthy, all of the time.
Muslim immigrants from Algeria in France, demanded that their children be allowed to wear headscarves to school. It ignited debate and the school authorities had some difficult decisions to make. They ultimately put their foot down and refused.
Good decision I’d say. Had the muslim children been allowed to wear headscarves, other minorities would have demanded the right to exhibit their respective religious marks. This may have led to favouritism on the part of teachers for or against certain religions. Besides, dress code for schools should be uniform, they must not make a statement on the student’s social or religious background.
Mavikan Helena Hawk, a Hellene from California wrote to me once that she has often found rude stickers slapped on the bumper of her vehicle, which poked fun at the Greek deities. Comparing such an incident and the results of the poll above, I can understand why so many American pagans feel insecure.
I’m a Hindu-Hellene.
Rev. Bob
May 1st, 2008
Sales in FSM stickers will soar.
Wrt diag targets, one place that sells Darwin fish stickers also sells little feet “in case your sticker was the vic
Rev. Bob
May 1st, 2008
Sales of FSM stickers will soar
And one place that sells Darwin fish also sells little replacement feet “in case your sticker was the victim of a hate crime”.
Andy Kimber
May 2nd, 2008
Why is this even on offer? What has one’s belief system to do with complying with automotive regulations? Let anybody stick any sticker they like on their car, but leave the license plate, which is an official document, out of it. This is surely just another Christian attempt to make their religion the subliminal de facto choice by subtly “Christing-up” familiar elements of American culture.
The Monkey
May 2nd, 2008
You Made Me Say It has evened the playing field a bit and created several designs for other belief systems.
I urge everyone to check it out.
Evo
May 2nd, 2008
Tell you the problem with allowing it because it’s easier to identify the religious nuts; and I’m personally a good example of this. Not all families are of the same belief systems. My wife is a Christian and might want such a plate. I’m an atheist and I drive the vehicle!
john brian murie
May 9th, 2008
Over here in Australia the religion called Christianity is in some cases is as batshit crazy as it is in the USA . A Evangelical Christian Pastor called Danny Nahlia of ” Catch the Fire Ministries ” prophesied while in the presence of ” JOHN HOWARD and PETER COSTELLO ” that the then current Prime Minister of Australia namely Liberal John Howard would win the 2007 Election and his treasurer Liberal Peter Costello would take over as Prime Minister in the following months .. The Liberals LOST giving Labour a landslide victory .. My point is that a Leader of a Nation was prepared to believe a delusional man only the claim that he said that God Speaks to Christians . Get out of politics you delusional unsound christian wackos .
The Monkey
May 9th, 2008
John, I agree that we must keep religion out of politics.
I googled the name ‘Danny Nahlia’ to get more info, and the words ‘false prophet’ appeared a few times on the first page. Who is this guy? Does he have a decent reputation? Why would a political candidate believe his predictions?
john brian murie
May 13th, 2008
Hello Ted . Danny Nahlia is from Sri Lanka or India . Him and his flock were telling people outside of the Austrlian Parliment House in the Territory of Canberra that the End of Days is very near , I think he also goes on about the ” Rapture ” .. The Politicians over here in Australia realized about a Decade ago that the ” Church Vote ” could have enough marginal swing to win an Election . So the Poly’s started attending Revivial Church Centres where there was lots of first time new voters in the form YOUTH .. Bloody Wankers .
john brian murie
May 13th, 2008
There’s a weird Church group of here by the name of ” Exclusive Brethren ” . They themselves are forbidden to Vote for a Political Party , Yet they the Exclusive Brethren were handing out pamphlets in support of Prime Minister John Howard because they believe that John Howard and the Liberal Party were chosen by God to hasten the coming of ARMAGEDDON . They were n’t happy when the Labour Party won the 2007 Election for they believe that Labour’s Policies are delaying the Messiah’s return .. There are absolutely crazy who teach their children that unless you are a Believer and Doer of the Exclusive Brethren Doctrine then you will go to hell .. I myself hate Sunday School as I was forced to go when I was Five years old and was always being told by the Grown Ups of the Baptist Church that I was a wrong doer and I better change or I too will go to hell to suffer lots of burning . The Churches are nothing more than Physcalogical Terrorists
PhillyChief
Jun 23rd, 2008
The only good thing about this is you know right away which cars to avoid on the road, and you might be able to spot this thing from further away than one of those stupid fish. It’s like seeing a New Jersey plate, you just get the hell away from them because they’re nuts.
Ted
Jun 23rd, 2008
Hey! We’re from New Jersey! Haha, I am serious but you are right: we’re nuts when it comes to driving.
Eddie Pittman
Jun 29th, 2008
The real question: does the license plate matter! Will it make you believe in the religion? Will it make you doubt your own religion? Nothing should shake your faith! If you believe aliens from mars planted seeds to produce earth, they should make a license plate for that! It does not matter! It only comes down to one point: people will think what they want, when they want; and if they wish to express their ideas by displaying a simple license plate, let them. It is only your doubt in your own faith that disturbs you when viewing it!
Dean
Jan 12th, 2009
I read the questions and had a different interpretation of the results. I don’t see it as those folks who voted yes to the Christian plates saying “I want my religion but no one else can have theirs”. I saw it as “Yes, I’d like my religion on a license plate. I don’t feel great about other religions because I feel they are misled.”
That’s not saying that people of other religions shouldn’t be allowed to broadcast it on their license plate but that those who voted no won’t feel good about them doing it.
It’s not about a lack of tolerance (although I definitely feel that Christians in general – particulary in the U.S – lack tolerance).
Just like you wouldn’t feel good about Christians having their religion on their plate.
The Monkey
Jan 12th, 2009
Dean, I hope your interpretation is more accurate than mine! I don’t feel bad about TOLERANT Christians, it’s just the intolerance of some that I don’t agree with. Cheers!
Dean
Jan 13th, 2009
I agree with you about intolerance. As a christian we are to model intolerance and non-judgement yet I know many who are neither tolerant nor non-judgemental. That’s why unfortunately christians are often deemed as hypocrites. I am often guilty of this myself.
The only safety net we have is to say that we are all born into sin. I sin everyday. But because Christ died on the cross he paid the price for my sin, which is death. He died and rose again, conquering the power of sin. I believe in Jesus and what he did for me and because of that I am saved and my sin is forgiven. All my sins including those I’ve done, those I’m doing, and those I will do are fogiven.
I think that because of this many christians feel it’s their job to tell others how they should live their lives. However, it’s not their job. It’s God’s job. It’s their job to provide the opportunities for people to search/find/stumble upon God and to treat others as Jesus would, with love and compassion.
Right-Wing Weirdo
Jan 14th, 2009
A large part of what gets a specialty license plate made, is volume. If there isn’t enough support for it, it doesn’t happen.
That said, the topic is really irrelevant. If there are enough petitioners for a Christian License Plate, or a Gay Pride License Plate, etc, it is a go.
If not, it doesn’t happen.
There just aren’t enough Gays or Athiests interested in such a thing. It’s not prejudice. Just numbers.
Odd how the supposedly open-minded are always finding ways to push down anyone who disagrees with them…
“How dare a whole bunch of people sufficient in number to promote something they care about actually do so! I hate them, so it is bad!”
The anti-religious zealots are far worse than the peope they claim are shoving religion down their throats. Reading rants like this is about all a rational person needs to think that maybe, just maybe, the Christians might be on to something…
They certainly behave better and have more respect for others than the god-haters. I’ve yet to experience having ‘religion shoved down my throat,’ but I’ve lost track of the thousands of ‘we hate religion’ activists I’ve had to endure…
Makes me want to start going to church.
Dean
Jan 15th, 2009
Good Right-Wing Weirdo. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Matthew Ellard
Feb 19th, 2009
I’m a member of the Skeptic’s Society forum. You have received comments from John Murie, who attacks false prophets. John has been posting the following on the UK, JREF and out forum this “gem”…..http://www.skepticforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10823#p146370
Performing Telekinesis BY 14 May 2009
by highflyertoo ยป Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:57 pm
Hello critical thinkers and those who are n’t Skeptics .
I John Murie of Western Australia will according to supporting dreams of the future,will be able to move light and heavy objects with the power of my mind . The objects are household items , cups , plates tables and chairs.
My many dreams over the past twenty years having been coming true . I have dreamed of buildings being torn down and replaced with the new in shape , size and colour .
The most notable building that has finished completion is the Bunbury Central City Library, for it is not long after it’s completion that I attain the power of Telekinesis on a scale that would make Hollywood stand back.
I am a Religious person who has seen spirit forms in the night and in the day.
I am not lying .