Florida's 'I Believe' plates hit roadblock
I didn't know anyone was coming up with religious vanity plates. Now there's a conflict in Florida over the proposed plate there - the usual church and state separation argument. If a license plate has a cross on it, and the words "I believe," is the state endorsing Christianity?
I don't really have an opinion on that. I'm not a legal scholar.
But then, I wouldn't buy a vanity plate for any reason. I could just donate the $25 right to the charity the plate supports, and cut out the middle man. I don't need to proclaim my faith with my license plate.
Looks like this might get ugly:
Supporters countered that not approving it could also result in a lawsuit.
That makes me laugh, though it should make me sad and angry. Imagine that - Christians fighting for the right to force the state to create a symbol for their cars so they can show off to everyone what good Christians they are? Didn't Jesus have a few words for people like that?
This is not acting in a Biblical manner. It does not glorify God. And it makes Christians look like goofballs. Contentious goofballs.
Not a big fan of contemporary Christian music, but Steven Curtis Chapman rocks out a little and this song seems appropriate:
Well I got myself a T-shirt that says what I believe
I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID
I got the necklace and the key chain
And almost everything a good Christian needs, yeah
I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door
And a welcome mat to bless you
before you walk across my floor
I got a Jesus bumper sticker
And the outline of a fish stuck on my car
And even though this stuff's all well and good, yeah
I cannot help but ask myself ...
What about the change
What about the difference
What about the grace
What about forgiveness
What about a life that's showing
I'm undergoing the change, yeah
I'm undergoing the change
- From "The Change" by Steven Curtis Chapman, based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 3:18:
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
My advice: Get a bumper sticker. Or 10 of 'em - plaster them all over the car! We have the legal right to do that.
And get a Bible. Then read it.
Give the rest of the $25 to the poor, via your church or some other organization.
Problem solved.
6 comments:
"..give to Ceaser that which is Ceasers, and God that is Gods" J.C (Bible)
So how does putting crosses on govt (Ceasers) items fit in with J.C.?"
Next gynocoligist will be putting ...well you know... on their plates, and lets not ask what the proctologist might want to use. So, lets just leave them blank.
Boy...you hit on a couple of my hot buttons here - "Jesus junk" ("Testa-mints", anybody?), and Christians "fighting for their rights". Didn't Jesus lay down his rights?
I agree...stuff like this just makes us look like a bunch of goofballs, not to be taken seriously.
No one like braggarts. Why are Christians better for flaunting their beliefs than the man who pulls up in a Porshe (or any other expensive car) and flaunts his wallet?
Actually, it could be argued that Christians flaunting their faith (as if it makes them "more faithful") are worse than the guy in the Porsche flaunting his $ - because we are supposed to know better.
Great post! I think sometimes Christians think it is alot easier to just put a sticker on your car and let that be your testimony than actually try to live a life of example. And I agree with with sheryl, it makes christians look like a joke.
Well said! Nice post. Love the lyrics.
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