The picture above is a specialty plate being considered in Florida. It would be the first specialty plate in the US to promote a specific religion.
I think it’s fine, so long as other religions are allowed specialty plates, too. I can’t imagine their argument against allowing that, but you know they’ve got one already. Something like “Christian plates are OK because Christianity is the correct religion.”
No surprise, the ACLU’s on top of it:
The problem with the state manufacturing the plate is that it “sends a message that Florida is essentially a Christian state” and, second, gives the “appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
Florida Rep. Kelly Skidmore has some common sense:
“It’s not a road I want to go down. I don’t want to see the Star of David next. I don’t want to see a Torah next. None of [those other religions that I am not a part of] are appropriate to me,” said Skidmore, a Democrat who voted against the plate in committee. “I just believe that.”
Fair warning, Florida: If your Christian plate is approved, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster WILL seek our own plate promoting Pastafarianism.
Pastafarians, let’s start designing the plate now. Please send me your submissions!
Pastafarian DeeLawn’s design:
Pastafarian Kevin’s designs:
Truly disgusting
Isn’t a large portion of Florida’s population actually jewish? How do America’s retirees feel about this? Bet they’re not welcome in Bocha…
Indiana already has a plate that reads In God We Trust as an optional “specialty plate.” However, The plate is not subject to the $15 plate fee associated with other special plates. To my understanding the ACLU has lost the first round of a lawsuit over the matter…
Important Update!
From the Associated Press: “COLUMBIA, S.C. — A license plate with an image of a cross in front of a stained glass window with the words “I Believe” could be available to drivers in South Carolina under a bill that has won key approval in the Senate.
The Senate gave the bill second reading on Tuesday and agreed to give the proposal automatic final approval Wednesday and send it to the House.
Florida legislators considered adding the same tag in their state, but the plate was not included in a license plate bill passed by lawmakers Tuesday.
The American Civil Liberties Union said last week the plates would give the appearance that Florida is a Christian state and is endorsing a particular religious preference.”
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353464,00.html
Help us, FSM! We loyal South Carolina Pastafarians need the assistance of Pastafarian Mike.
Doesn’t FL need to worry about screwing the Dem’s out of another election? Don’t they relize the next one is in November? Or maybe they already have the faulty machines ready…
Attention people in SC and FL. See your doctor immediately and get a CAT scan, with contrast, of your brain. If he/she detects gray matter, leave the state immediately!
I could see putting one of those on my front bumper, except that CA has taken that spot already.
Only in the USA!
Ooooh boy. This is like round two of the ID-in-schools plan that shoved our religion into the limelight in the first place. Don’t people ever learn?
I like the licence plates, though. Especially the “Florida: it sucks cuz it’s hot” one. If this thing does go through (FSM forbid) we should have a vote on which of the licence plates we want to send to the Florida government to make. I’d vote for that one myself.
I’m in Florida and I would really REALLY love an FSM license plate!!! (even a fake one to put on the front bumper) I vote for the first one, Pastafarian Mike’s design! As for the second one… Florida is great because it’s hot :P and Florida is spelled wrong.
I like the first FSM Plate
But if Christianity (and other major religions) is getting to the point where they’re actually going to attempt to convert tail-gaters…
Well… why don’t they just call it another damn crusade and get it over with.
I think there is a requirement of so many signatures and a cash bribe. I can help with a signature. Ramen!
My brother and I agree that Kevin’s 1st design is awesome
YES YES YES Dark Morning!
Did you hear that Mr. Henderson?!?!
FSM plates for the front! I’m in North Carolina and we don’t have front license plates! I’d love an FSM plate for the front of my car!
Why? Aren’t bumper stickers enough for anyone anymore?
I don’t want to be difficult, but look at the second FSM liscense plate down! They spelled Florida wrong!!!!!!!!
Florida is spelled F-L-O-R-I-D-A, he spelled it Flordia F-L-O-R-D-I-A. I just want to point that out so someone can fix it!!!
May I point out that most of our hatemail has similar bad spelling, we might want to take the high road and fix it that way the fundies don’t realize pirates are bad at speeling either.
hai guise
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/3479/nooooooooooooo3ca7.gif
What do my fellow Pastafarians think?
Aha.
Funny thing is, I /live/ in Florida. xD
I wanna see some FSM license plates!
That’d be the shitt. :]
I’d get one ASAP. :D
I used to regularly go to Cearwater to visit my parents. That’s where old Canadians go before they die. I had never seen so many churches in my life. That is outside of the Scientology city core. blending religion and state is a definite no-no but it’s a-comin’ baby! There’s gonna be a religious war soon. Choose your side carefully. Me, I’m going with intelligence. You know I’m already beat, don’t you? The fanatics and fundamentalists have no compunction against shooting anybody who doesn’t think like they do. Heck. They’ve been doing it for years!
omffsm i cant believe i spelled florida wrong! haha oops!
=(