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    Larry vs. Jesus Christ License Plates

    By Larry Jankens on Sat, 05/02/2009 - 10:20pm | Religion

    In case you didn’t hear, Florida approved the production and sale of the Jesus Christ license plate. That’s right, Jesus Christ license plates. Apparently, Florida forgot the second commandment: “Thou shalt not make graven images.” It’s a license plate with Jesus on it, it doesn’t get much more graven than that.

    But seriously, while I appreciate the Bible for the code of ethics it lays out and its followers obey when it’s convenient, this is America. The country that has a commandment of its own, a.k.a. an amendment, that clearly states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

    So isn’t a Jesus Christ license plate not just tacky, but also a violation of the establishment clause? One of the two sponsors of the legislation allowing the plates Democrat (that’s right, a brainiac Democrat) Senator Gary Siplin said “If you don’t like that particular license plate, you’re not forced to buy it.” Bravo Gary! Stellar use of selective logic!

    According to Siplin(on gin and juice)’s rationale even though tax payer money is going to the state to pay for these plates and in turn is spent by the government on the production and distribution of the plates it in no way blurs the line between church and state. Huh?

    Perhaps Senator Siplin (slide) and Republican Senator Ronda Storms need a quick refresher on the Bill of Rights. For their benefit let me give them some brief tutelage: the government should not be in the business of sanctioning religious paraphernalia. That is one of the things that separates America from Islamo-Fascist nations. While Saudi Arabia has the declaration of faith on it’s flag “(There is) no god but God. Muhammad (is the) messenger of God,” we in America don’t. While Iran follows strict Islamic law that enforces sexual apartheid, we in America don’t.

    Senator Siplin (away) goes on to say “…So I think we should have an opportunity for every citizen around the state to be able to purchase a license plate of their choice.” Oh, Gary. Do you really want to open that Pandora’s Box of possibilities? The internet responded to Gary’s musing. I’ve collected the best and posted them below (and raptor Jesus at the top). Enjoy! The Flying Spaghetti Monster

    We all know my love of Star Wars I have a fever and the only prescription...

    Peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time (and so on and so on) And finally a tribute to the recently fallen Quotations taken from the Miami Herald article on the issue.

    Topics: 
    Religion

    Comments

    I think this opens Pandora's box.  What if Wiccans, Atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, want a license plate depicting their religious beliefs.  I can see the lawsuits now.  Religion should not be incorporated into politics or government.  This in-your-face Christian license plate was a foolish idea; and I'm a Christian.


    by TexasCowboy (not verified) on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 12:14am

    And, I swear to God, I hope they (Wiccans, Atheists, Buddhist, and Muslims)do.  I would be tempted to steal money from my mothers purse to send to them to help. 

     


    by Bluesplashy on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 7:12pm

    Sir you are no Christian...Or You Would Stand Up For Christ In Any Situation. A simple Licensne Plate does not place him in government.  Use the proceeds to feed our nations poor..HE WOULD.  Charge a little extra for custom license plates.  And a true CHRISTIAN would be willing to lay down his life for his SAVIOUR.


    by Jill Williams (not verified) on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:07am

    Larry's not a Christian? Who let him in? Dammit, I want a vote next time.


    by Orlando on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:16am

    I believe that Jill was referring to commenter TexasCowboy. The dagblog appeals panel is currently reviewing the case to determine whether TexasCowboy is insufficiently Christian due to his lack of support for Jesus license plates. If he is found guilty, the sentence could range from gentle chiding to eternal damnation.


    by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 12:17pm

    Is it worth stating that Jill is probably being funny? I realize that Poe's law prohibits us from being certain about this, at least unless we get to know her better, but the capitalization suggested parody to me…


    by Nebton on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 12:33pm

    Possible...but I think it's too subtle, especially combined with the other comments. Now the placement of her "Those are not true Christians" comment next to the picture of the Jesus and disciples figurines is truly hilarious, but I don't think that she planned on the "float:left" attribute of the image. Unless of course, Jill is Orlando.


    by Michael Wolraich on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 12:47pm

    Even in parody, I would never capitalize words in mid-sentence unless they were proper nouns. Grammar is no joking matter.


    by Orlando on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 1:35pm

    OK, in re-reading it, I realize I parsed it wrong. Specficially, this bit:

    HE WOULD.  Charge a little extra for custom license plates.

    I read that as "he would charge a little extra for custom license plates", which naturally struck me as parody. So, I'm refining my prediction, but I still give it 50/50.


    by Nebton on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 1:46pm

    I would consider moving to Florida for a Raptor Jesus license plate.


    by DF on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 1:43pm

    Get 'em while you can. Once the court is done with 'em, they'll be collector's items. You could make a fortune on eBay.


    by Michael Wolraich on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 4:04pm

    Sell it in tandem with your cheesebread Jesus and you may never have to work again.

    by Orlando on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 4:43pm

    Brilliant idea: Jesus can bypass the Federal prohibition by divinely imprinting his own likeness on license plates.

    PS Larry, I'm no Christian theologian, but in my experience, Christians play pretty fast and loose with the graven image proscription.


    by Michael Wolraich on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 5:41pm

    Whatever. 

     


    by Orlando on Sun, 05/03/2009 - 5:47pm

    Those are not true Christians.


    by Jill Williams (not verified) on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:08am

    This country began from people who fled from their homelands who were in fear of religous persecution, even death.  That constitution gives us all the same right as everyone else, just as it does the neo-nazi's to practice hitler's beliefs in this day & time...so why is it so wrong or what are you so afraid of Christ Jesus on a little license plate...that would cause you too start so much who-ha about is beyound me.

    God Bless You & Every Man that Died to give us this Religous Freedom!!!!


    by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:00am

    I call bullshit. Nobody died to give us religious freedom. Sure, it's written into the Constitution. But the Revolutionary War wasn't about religion. It was about taxation without representation and freedom and all of those other words the teabaggers are throwing around these days. Don't you watch Fox News?

    by Orlando on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 10:25am

    Nobody died to give us religious freedom.

    Jesus died to give us religious freedom. Or maybe it was eternal salvation. One of those things. Whatever. HEATHEN!


    by Nebton on Wed, 11/11/2009 - 11:36am