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Honk if You Love Jesus Car Tags
A state senator is rethinking his effort to add the image of "my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" to Florida license plates, a constitutionally dubious plan that demonstrates once again that legislators do the darndest things.
State Sen. Gary Siplin's first idea was to put the image of Christ crucified on a specialty license plate that would be available for sale to the public and raise money for nonprofits. Siplin's "Trinity" plate contained the image of a very Anglo-looking Jesus (you'd think he'd at least have a tan in Florida), head down, eyes closed, hanging from an unseen cross.
Late last month, the Florida senate graciously added Siplin's vanity plate to another new specialty plate bill, but the state House did not. Civil libertarians objected. Now Siplin is having second thoughts. "Not that I don't like the idea," Siplin (D-Baptist) said. "I mean, I'm proud of Jesus."
And we're proud of you, Sen. Siplin, for seeing the light and for realizing that the government is not the church. Whoops, spoke too soon. Siplin's now thinking of asking for a plate that says "Trinity" with maybe a "cross, and some nails and a dove, do the trinity."
Governor Charlie Crist (R-Methodist), who is thinking of running for U.S. Senate next year, says he doesn't see a problem with the state promoting Christianity on its car tags. If motorists "don't want one, they don't have to buy one," Gov. Crist said.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Victor Crist (R-Presbyterian) is pushing a bill that he hopes will get Florida out of the evangelization business and save the state money. His bill would eliminate all specialty plates within two years in favor of specialty stickers that could be placed on regular plates.
Civil libertarians are keeping an eye on the entire enterprise.
"I am frankly shocked that any legislator would think these (Jesus) plates are constitutionally acceptable," Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said in a statement. "It is deeply offensive when officials play political games with the sacred symbols of any faith."
Are you offended? Would you want your state government to put sacred symbols on your car tags? Or is this just a creative and harmless way for the state to raise money for nonprofits?
UPDATE: Religion News Service reports that Siplin's effort to create a Trinity car tag has died. This year's legislative session in Florida is over so the bill cannot be resurrected. For now.
David Waters
| May 4, 2009; 11:06 AM ET | Category: Today's Topic Save & Share:
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Posted by: WmarkW | May 4, 2009 12:05 PM
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Seeing as not all believe what everyone else believes, I can see a REAL BIG can of worms opened up here.
Therefore, I would NOT be one to go about urging this sort of plate at all.
Posted by: Alex511 | May 4, 2009 2:42 PM
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1. He doesn't look Anglo - he looks blue. Perhaps he's an Andorian? Or a Delvian? Or a Taelon? (Sorry. I watch too much science fiction.)
2. I predict that this will be the most popular license plate for vanity plates. Pick your favorites, as long as they have six letters. Mine? "THX DAD".
Posted by: Athena4 | May 4, 2009 3:23 PM
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Personnally I love the "Honk If You Love Santa Clause" plates.
Typical current laws/rules:
e.g. In Pennsylvania:
Only Section 501 organizations -- the most familiar being charities, religious and educational organizations filed under 501(c)(3) -- are eligible for specialty plates, also known as special organization plates.
That rule by itself should blow the engine on most trouble-making applicants one might imagine -- Neo-Nazi Skinheads of America, or Maoist League USA, to make two up out of thin air, from opposite sides of the political road. Groups must convince the IRS their activities promote public welfare or or benefit the community in order to qualify.
In case unsavory motorists do manage to steer around the IRS roadblock, PennDOT imposes similar, possibly even stricter provisions: Eligible groups must provide community services that benefit the welfare of others, and must not be ''offensive in purpose, nature, activity or name,'' as determined by PennDOT, said Motor Vehicles Director Anita Wasko.
Speciality plates available in Oklahoma-
see http://www.tax.ok.gov/sp1.html
In Texas:
http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/SpecialPlateOrderServlet?grpid=60
And a note from Arizona:
A court has ruled it’s OK to give residents the option of having the words “Choose Life” on state plates.
Posted by: CCNL | May 4, 2009 3:28 PM
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If anyone is willing to pay the extra fees for specialty tags, by God let them have them. However making images of the Divinity like that one, does not seem appropiate. Specially when the whole world knows that Jesus looked Hispanic not Anglo.
;)
Posted by: salero21 | May 4, 2009 5:41 PM
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Allow it, but also allow "Satan Rules!"; "Gays are Correct"; "Pro-Lifers Just Kill Me" and various and sundry other slogans.
Posted by: djmolter | May 5, 2009 7:05 AM
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I'm all for the Jesus plates. It would be good to identify Limbaugh's neochristians while driving.
Posted by: coloradodog | May 5, 2009 8:29 AM
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or how about Fox News plates with a slogan that sums up their point of view:
"Nuke a Gay Whale for Jesus"
Posted by: coloradodog | May 5, 2009 8:31 AM
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As a Christian, even I think this is getting out of hand. If one truly needs to express one's theological insights in a twelve-inch area on one's back bumper, there are license tag frames for sale privately that will fit the bill. Not really a necessary state function for those who believe in limited government.
Posted by: arosscpa | May 5, 2009 11:05 AM
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Will having a Jesus plate prevent someone from rear-ending my car? After all, Jesus saves! If someone does rear-end a car with Jesus plates, would that be considered blasphemy? Does having a Jesus plate make up for someone driving recklessly? Not to mention the first time someone with Jesus plates gets arrested for DUI.
I look forward to seeing license plates bearing the images of Yahweh, Mohammed, Krishna, Pan (in all his priapic glory) and the Flying Spaghetti Monster in the future.
Posted by: Athena4 | May 5, 2009 3:32 PM
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Athena-
Loved your post! I'll be the first in line for the Flying Spaghetti Monster tags. May he touch you with His noodly appendage!
(Don't think we'd get the Pan one past the prudes, tho.)
Posted by: wiccan | May 6, 2009 12:47 PM
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Jesus would tell us: Do not parade your religious license plate in public as do the Pharisees. Instead, go to your room and address God in privacy and humility, not go looking for the approval of other men and women.
Oh - and also, stop shooting up the planet.
Posted by: practica1 | May 7, 2009 12:00 AM
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Funny discussion and article.
Before people co-opt the likeness of Jesus for their vehicles I hope they take a moment to ask: Is this really what Jesus would do?
Personally, I think Jesus would be taking public transportation.
Posted by: bikes-everywhere | May 7, 2009 12:20 PM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
Intro: I'm a thorough-going secularist.
In my home state, any group that can guarantee a certain number of sales can have a specialty plate created for them. (Civil War Reenactors; Alums of Universities; etc) The cost of the plate is the difference between the production cost of a generic plate and creating a special run for them.
I would have no objection to any religious group doing this the same any other group, as long as their picture or motto isn't offensive (e.g. "God Hates Fags"). Because then the state isn't sponsoring it.
The problem with this plan sounds like the one South Carolina tried last year -- the state is bearing the cost of promoting religion. If you wouldn't want the state to sponsor "God doesn't exist; just live morally" or "Allah wants you to read your Quran," then you can't endorse Christianity, either.