Florida's Jesus License Plate

[3113]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/slc987/Religious_License_Pl_66118c.jpg

I'm not sure what to feel about this except that I'm glad I don't live in Florida and have to deal with the controversy over this silliness. It does seem strange that a believer, who would be presumably respectful of such an image, would put it in a place where it's going to end up covered in road mud, dust, etc. And it does seem bizarre to see the "Sunshine State" there underneath the crucified upper part. Kinda like Florida did the crucifying and was happy about it.

One Methodist noted that he was disturbed by the idea primarily because he didn't think Jesus would approve of the idea of using his likeness to generate tax revenue ("render onto Caesar" and all that) and create a public display of piety. I can't speak to that, but I presume that if such images do end up on Florida's license plates, then Florida will also have to have Buddha, the devil, and likewise symbols for other belief systems? After all, members of other faiths including Satanism pay the same license tax. Shouldn't they be allowed to display their religious affiliations, too?

 

[TxRad]

Would an agnostic leave it blank?

 

[JamesSD]

God that thing is hideous. Does it have to be in such garish poor taste?

At the same time, sure, why not. More money from the state taken from the pockets of people with questionable taste. In theory this means less tax burden for those who are smart enough not to pay for one.

 

[3113]

God that thing is hideous. Does it have to be in such garish poor taste?

At the same time, sure, why not. More money from the state taken from the pockets of people with questionable taste. In theory this means less tax burden for those who are smart enough not to pay for one.

Well, that's why if they go through with this they should have emblems for other affiliations...in equally bad taste, of course

 

[sr71plt]

Is there a version with black velvet backing?

 

[Boxlicker101]

Do all the license plates have that image or do they have to be specially ordered? If it's the former, it's just WRONG. If it's the latter, I still don't like it, even if there are other figures offered as options.

 

[3113]

Do all the license plates have that image or do they have to be specially ordered? If it's the former, it's just WRONG. If it's the latter, I still don't like it, even if there are other figures offered as options.

Specially ordered, Box, of course. And undoubtedly it'll cost extra $$. They couldn't get away with it otherwise. That pesky part of separating Church and State would get in the middle.

Thinking on it, I'd love to put an imagine of Moses parting the Red Sea on my license plate. Would be apropos for L.A. Traffic, don't ya think?

 

[Stella_Omega]

Is there a version with black velvet backing?

I want Elvis on mine!

 

[Boxlicker101]

Specially ordered, Box, of course. And undoubtedly it'll cost extra $$. They couldn't get away with it otherwise. That pesky part of separating Church and State would get in the middle.

Thinking on it, I'd love to put an imagine of Moses parting the Red Sea on my license plate. Would be apropos for L.A. Traffic, don't ya think?

I suppose you mean Charlton Heston.

I wonder what would happen if somebody put Mohammed on there, and it got muddy and dogs pissed on it, and it got dented and otherwise banged up. Would the guy be beheaded by some irate Muslim?

Similar things have actually happened.

 

[sr71plt]

Just went through the more than 100 special Virginia plates with no Jesus (or other religious-oriented) offerings. Closest they have is Liberty University (Jerry Falwell's school). Can get a nifty "Sons of the Confederecy" or "Free Tibet" plate, though. I'm so humdrum, all three of mine are "Scenic Mountain to Shore."

 

[3113]

I wonder what would happen if somebody put Mohammed on there, and it got muddy and dogs pissed on it, and it got dented and otherwise banged up. Would the guy be beheaded by some irate Muslim?

Don't be daft! As the images are meant to be ones that appeal to the devout, there would be no image of Mohammed as the most religious Islamic are going to hold that his image can't be put on a license plate any more than in a cartoon. If those that follow the religion don't want an image of their divinity, then it's not going to be offered. It's certainly not going to be created just so some people can put it on their car and deliberately *offend* followers of that religion.

The state is looking to make money, not problems. Or, rather, any more problem than this is idea is already causing.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

The theological point escapes me. Only a Catholic should be interested in such an image as Protestants are supposed to be celebrating the Resurrection, not the crucifixion. Why some Southern Baptist would want that plate is a mystery.

 

[sr71plt]

The theological point escapes me. Only a Catholic should be interested in such an image as Protestants are supposed to be celebrating the Resurrection, not the crucifixion. Why some Southern Baptist would want that plate is a mystery.

Because a Southern Baptist doesn't think deeply enough to know he/she should be celebrating the resurrection not the crucifixion. That answer was easy. Do you have any harder questions?

 

[Liar]

Why do you Americans have all that irrelevant shit on your license plates anyway? It's a tag with numbers so that people can identify veichles. It should be illegal to obfuscate that with novelty decorations of Jesus or any other nonsense. The day you witness a hit-and-run in gloomy light, and can't decipher the license number because of all the silly graphics that's clogged onto the plate, congratulations.

 

[fieryjen]

Why do you Americans have all that irrelevant shit on your license plates anyway? It's a tag with numbers so that people can identify veichles. It should be illegal to obfuscate that with novelty decorations of Jesus or any other nonsense. The day you witness a hit-and-run in gloomy light, and can't decipher the license number because of all the silly graphics that's clogged onto the plate, congratulations.

Thank you!

 

[PaperAutumn]

That is such BS. I don't want a dead Jesus staring at me while I'm driving thankyamuch.

If they ever adopt that in the tri-state area, I'm friggin moving to Canada.

 

[sr71plt]

Why do you Americans have all that irrelevant shit on your license plates anyway? It's a tag with numbers so that people can identify veichles. It should be illegal to obfuscate that with novelty decorations of Jesus or any other nonsense. The day you witness a hit-and-run in gloomy light, and can't decipher the license number because of all the silly graphics that's clogged onto the plate, congratulations.

I don't disagree, but I went with a special plate that had graphics that didn't compete with the letters while still showing a something more pleasant than stark white.

I should have given a little thought to the vanity letters I chose for my own car. Quite often I see people swerving in the lane behind me when they've come up close enough to decipher what it says.

This thread reminds me, though. I know someone putting together a glossy book on people who put religious sayings on their license plates. She's tracked the people down and she interviews them on what led them to use something like HESAVES on their license. (With luck, they'll all move to Florida now to get this nifty license motif--and move in across the street from JBJ.)

 

[cloudy]

Say what you will about Southerners, but in Alabama, we went with a rock song instead of Jesus:

http://www.aaroads.com/blog_images/southeast/new_alabama_tag.gif

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

Say what you will about Southerners, but in Alabama, we went with a rock song instead of Jesus:

http://www.aaroads.com/blog_images/southeast/new_alabama_tag.gif

Shook me all night long?

Bungle in the jungle?

Bohemian Rhapsody?

I'm missing it

 

[Boxlicker101]

Why do you Americans have all that irrelevant shit on your license plates anyway? It's a tag with numbers so that people can identify veichles. It should be illegal to obfuscate that with novelty decorations of Jesus or any other nonsense. The day you witness a hit-and-run in gloomy light, and can't decipher the license number because of all the silly graphics that's clogged onto the plate, congratulations.

I don't have anything, but it's a matter of individuality. Some people plaster their bumpers with sayings, and their license plate holders also present an opinion. Why should the license plate be left out?

Of course, the state makes more money, which is their motive. When somebody sells the car, if the plate stays in place, what happens if the new owner is an atheist or Jewish, or otherwise doesn't want the plate to stay? Most likely the new owner won't care one way or another.

 

[Handley_Page]

That sort of plate decoration ain't legal in the EU, although I have seen some which were in addition to the UK standard.

 

[sr71plt]

Ah, but Alabama also has a "Choose Life" license plate--which is another can of worms altogether.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Say what you will about Southerners, but in Alabama, we went with a rock song instead of Jesus:

http://www.aaroads.com/blog_images/southeast/new_alabama_tag.gif

Is that a movie or a song? Or both?

The plate itself looks quite nice.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Ah, but Alabama also has a "Choose Life" license plate--which is another can of worms altogether.

Maybe those are for those who are opposed to the death penalty, and are hoping to convince jurors.

 

[sr71plt]

Maybe those are for those who are opposed to the death penalty, and are hoping to convince jurors.

With the picture of two babies on it? Not likely.