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:
dudes, i came across this site when the ex-guitarist of my band told me he had converted to pastafarianism.
at the time it sounded rather stupid, i must admit, but upon reading the articles on this site, i must say, although i’m not sure i “believe” myself, i truly do support what you guys are doing here, and if you need support in the whole license plate thing, i will truly help you out in any way that i can.
RAMEN!
I’ll contribute to apply for an FSM plate in FL, and I don’t even live there anymore. Must get my siblings to send me the Letters-to-the-Editor from down there, they’ve got to be hilarious. An FSM plate was the first thing I thought of when I heard about this. It’s also way past time I joined and supported the ACLU. Even when they defend people I don’t like, they’re a useful institution.
how funny lol
It’s Florida, for His Noodly Goodness’ sake! It MUST be a pirate fish! :D
Pirate fish!
As a Florida resident, I would be appalled to see religous license plates. Unless, of course, that religion is Pastafarianism. Who needs those other religions, huh? Kelly Skidmore is such a genius.
Let’s hate Jews, everyone! They’re different!
Honestly, I just can’t bear seeing religion being publicized for everyone to see. When people talk about religion or politics, they only want to start arguments.
The same situation has arisen here in South Carolina.
It will take 400 people subscribing to get force the state to adopt an FSM license plate.
The proposed plates are great! Pastafarians across South Carolina, lets get united and proclaim the
power of His Noodly Appendage.
Talk it up, write it up in letters to the editor, and proclaim the Truth of FSM!
We Will Have Our Plate!
Sam
America is a CHRISTIAN country. Our grant grant parents are CHRISTIAN.
Follow our parents. What is wrong with that plate.
America is NOT “a CHRISTIAN country”, charlise mather, regardless of what McBush says! Read the fricking Constitution of the United States if you’re confused on that point. I know you WANT it to be, but that’s not the same as it BEING so. Worship privately as you see fit. As far as being like our parents, one of my grandmothers used to brag about the time they ran the Mormons out, and a few others held surreptitious gatherings with white suits and hoods, and guess what religion they affiliated with. I don’t want to follow that, and I don’t want my country to become that.
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Much of my family has been mainly Pastafarian for generations, though mostly underground due to the religious bigotry and intolerance of our fundamentalist Islamic governments. Oh, wait a minute…that’s the South Asian / Middle Eastern branch of the family. Here, it’s people who think America is a christian country.
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Meanwhile, I was hoping the basic premise behind this thread, that of religious license plates, was somebody’s excellent idea of a joke. Time to websurf…oops, I guess it’s serious, I saw it on FOX News, and on some reputable news sites also. Unbelievable.
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In that case, I vote for the top Pastafarian plate shown, though I too might prefer a pirate ship silhouetted against the rising sun. Yes, the rising sun on the ocean, a fitting symbol of the wave of religious and political tolerance and freedom I feel certain will soon spread over our land!
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As for anything else: The Flying Spaghetti Monster said it, I believe it, and that settles it! RAmen.
Makes me want to move to Florida. Almost!