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Lynn’s Daughter’s comment about her atheist bumper sticker in the previous post inspired me to ask: What kind of atheist or anti-religious stickers or emblems or what-not do you display on your vehicle(s)? Has anyone ever reacted to or commented about them? And if you don’t have anything like that, would you consider it? Ever?
The picture on the left is the emblem I’d like to put on my car, but I haven’t had the nerve…yet. I am an elementary school teacher in a conservative city in California, and I know many parents and most of the teachers I work with would not appreciate this display one little bit.
–Allen
on March 23rd, 2007 at 2:20 am
I really like to say “making a hobby out of atheism is like making a hobby out of not collecting stamps.”
Why ruin a good thing?
on March 23rd, 2007 at 2:32 am
I have a child in public schools, so I’m dealing with the stupid addition to the pledge. You know, the ‘under god’ line added during McCarthyism. I have the bumper sticker:
ONE NATION
INDIVISIBLE
(url for atheists dot org)
I like this because it’s a POSITIVE message! And the url, while in red, is in a much smaller font.
I live in a liberal area in CA and have had no problems.
on March 24th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
I have the FSM logo on my car, but I live in LA so no one (save one fundie coworker, that is) has said/done anything. A newly hired woman asked me about it last week, so I told her about the Flying Spaghetti Monster and said I was atheist (I’m very open about my nonbelief in both my personal and professional lives). She was silent for a little while, then she “came out” to me as an atheist–that was pretty cool.
My husband has the “fish ‘n chips” logo on his car, and no one has said/done anything to him, either.
Your situation is different, though: If a lot of parents/coworkers complain, the administration might fire you (for reasons of ” poor job performance” or something perfectly legal, of course).
So I guess my advice is that you move to LA! :)
on March 27th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
My personal favorite is the fish sign and embossed on the inside is ” ‘n chips “. Personally, too many freaks out there to invite with sociopolitical messages of any kind. I keep the bumper clean.
on April 1st, 2007 at 3:18 am
Put it on your dashboard where you can see it and enjoy it. After all, that is the correct use of a symbol.
on April 12th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I have a fish that says DARWIN and has legs and another fish that looks like a rocket and says SCIENCE. I’ve only put them on a few days ago, but so far, nobody has mentioned them.
Crudely Wrott said,
on April 1st, 2007 at 3:18 am
Put it on your dashboard where you can see it and enjoy it. After all, that is the correct use of a symbol.
What? I don’t necessarily care if people know my personal philosophies, but my reason for displaying them on the OUTSIDE of my vehicle is to try to do my small part in making it easier for atheists to “come out”. Using reason instead of superstition to understand the world is nothing to be ashamed of, yet we all (atheists) know that it can be hard to be openly atheist. The more of us that come out, the more acceptance we might gain. The gay community has made some progress. Atheists should follow suit.
on April 13th, 2007 at 10:25 am
If you’re an atheist why do you have to demean others? Christians have the cross, atheists can use a symbol of what they are ‘for’ rather what they are against.
If your whole identity is ‘against’ Christianity, then it doesn’t sound so positive.
God bless,
Tito
on April 15th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
That is what I’d put on my car…if I didn’t live on the buckle of the bible belt. But here, in Alabama, I’d come out of work and my car would be on fire.
*sigh*
So, I certainly understand your apprehension in “putting it out there” for fear of retribution.
~Barb~
on April 20th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I am an atheist, but I agree with Tito, believe it or not. What are we for? Most of us are liberals, what that means to me is that we care about people. We believe that WE need to take care of things that Christians believe GOD takes care of or will take care of for them. We know that once our planet is mucked up there is no return….we believe in conservation, protecting our world from global warming, doing what we can to keep our beautiful planet “together”…I know I don’t believe there is a GOD that will make everything new again.
I take care to not over consume, to recycle all I can, I compost to eliminate some waste (of which my family has little), I use things until they are not usable anymore or if I don’t want them I give them away, greatly diminishing my contribution to land fills. I don’t feel the need to keep up with the Joneses.
I love my family and care for them, love people and contribute what I can to help those in need.
I try not to judge others by what they have or have not.
Essentially, I’m not a lot different from those who do these things but give credit to a god.
I would display a symbol if we had one that really showed that we are, good people, capable of good deeds etc. Capable of love and caring. I really don’t care to prove Christians wrong (that’s their game not mine), They can believe what they want, just don’t shove that down my throat. I would much rather show people that as an atheist I am doing my part for the love of mother earth and our people and not leaving this up to a god. I am tired of being judged as if ungodly means evil. I’m not evil, are you?
on April 22nd, 2007 at 10:30 pm
I’ve had a Darwin fish on my car for about six months. No comments from anyone at work! Shocking, but I think they are trying to respect my opinion.
I haven’t had anyone try to rip it off or anything. I’ve only noticed one person driving by giving me a weird look, but, who knows, that could have been because I was driving slow or something.
So far, nothing negative!
on April 24th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I happen to be an atheist who goes to a private christian university. I have an FSM sticker in my back window. Every time I pull into the parking lot I wonder if this is going to be the day someone notices and comments. It hasn’t happened yet.
BTW… my work is paying my tuition, so I put up with classroom prayer for a free education.
on April 28th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I have been following this line of dialogue with some interest. I am a Christian, and would like to state very clearly (in response to Christie, but also as a general comment) that I don’t happen to believe atheists are evil. The sort of attitude whereby a believer (of any faith) should regard another human being as evil simply because of a valid disagreement over God and faith, etc, saddens me greatly. Secondly, I need to say that I am highly amused by this discussion because as a Christian, I steadfastly refuse to place a Christian symbol (fish or otherwise) anywhere near my car. That’s not because I am ashamed of my Christian faith, but because I have only ever noticed such symbols doing one of two things; 1) Confusing people who don’t know why the heck I have a plastic fish attached to my car or 2) Putting people way off me personally, and way off Christianity too, by sending some sort of vibe that I will, of necessity, drag them kicking and screaming into church at every opportunity (which I have no intention of doing); neither of which are happy consequences. Given that I personally have no use for such symbols, it amuses me that atheists are discussing something which doesn’t concern me, as a believer, at all. Having said that, I am an Englishman living in Scotland, and it’s my guess that bumper stickers are more of an issue in the States than they are this side of the pond. (Would that be right?) Thanks, one and all ~ Stephen.
on April 29th, 2007 at 12:28 am
Hello, Stephen, and welcome.
I sincerely wish more people in the States shared your enlightened attitude–if they did, blogs like this one wouldn’t be necessary. Unfortunately, many believers here view atheism with contempt and distrust. Thanks to prominent atheists like Richard Dawkins, however, I think this view may be changing for the better.
That being said, Americans seem to be waging a sort of cultural cold war with bumper stickers and emblems on their cars. It started when legs were added to the ubiquitous “Jesus fish” making them “Darwin fish.” This led to the “Jesus fish” eating the “Darwin fish” which has led to still more variations like the emblem pictured above.
Absurd, I know, but true.
on April 29th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Hello Allen ~ and thanks for your welcome.
I’m certainly not any sort of paragon of virtue, but even so, it’s genuinely beyond me why someone should be treated with either contempt or distrust simply for being an atheist. I’m not sure where exactly those twin attitudes arise from, but I have very strong personal doubts that they have anything much to do with authentic Christianity.
I honestly don’t know whether to laugh or cry (a bit of both, I think) in response to your quite astonishing news that there is a ‘cold war’ taking place involving bumper stickers.
I’d guessed from afar that bumper stickers were something of an issue in America, but I had no idea they were causing such fun and games! However, as with the majority of information, it’s probably worth knowing that, if only to strengthen my resolve not to go anywhere near bumper stickers.
Thanks again,
Stephen.
on April 30th, 2007 at 4:59 am
I guess this is an open note to anyone who cares to read it, really (assuming that anyone might!), but it’s inspired by some references to Professor Richard Dawkins throughout this site.
I’m wondering how much awareness there might be of a book called ‘The Dawkins Delusion?’ written by the Rev’d. Dr. Professor Alister McGrath?
Alister McGrath is, by way of information and so as to offer his credentials, an ordained Anglican clergyman, an Oxford science graduate, and an Oxford theology graduate. (More importantly, he is an extremely nice man, whose humility belies a staggering intelligence.)
Professor McGrath entered Oxford University as an atheist, so he writes from that perspective, but also with a scientific and theological background.
I hope this is of some interest to someone out there. Comments are, as ever, welcome ~ Stephen.
on April 30th, 2007 at 7:32 am
I have heard of it, but I don’t plan reading it any time soon, at least.
on May 15th, 2007 at 11:10 am
I refuse to walk on eggshells. This is America and it is a free country(though becoming less and less of one) . Put it on your car and doubt many would even know what it is..
on May 17th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Just about all of my bumper stickers go onto magnetic backings, so I can move them from car to car or change them with my mood or comfort level. I’ve had the Darwin fish. I have one that says, “God was my co-pilot, but we crashed in the Andes and I had to eat him.” I’ve had conversations with theists about transubstantiation over that one. Another says, “In case of rapture, can I have your car?” That one’s been nothing but fun.
Then there was the one that said, “Have you forgotten about Jesus? Isn’t it about time you did?” That one provoked vandals in a well-traveled parking lot in an affluent Maryland suburb in daylight — the magnetic sticker was torn to pieces and stuck all over the car, the tires were punctured and the car was climbed and probably jumped on; there were dents in the roof. The culprits got away with it; I’d like to think they were kids, but some theist rants elsewhere on the internet make me wonder.
on May 17th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Hmm…
It’s an interesting piece of speculative theorising by Thomas A, that theists might have been the culprits responsible for trashing his car.
I guess we’ll never know for sure.
By the same token, neither will we know if it was kids.
I wonder though, if (in the interests of fair play) we might even consider the possibility (seeing as we’ve considered theists and kids) that it was atheists who did the damage? (i.e. Non-believers who get a kick out of trashing cars, regardless of their ownership.)
Unless, that is, there is some evidence that there are absolutely no non-believers who are vandals.
In which case, we can dismiss that line of thought.
Otherwise, might that be just as reasonable an option for speculation as any other?
(Bearing in mind that some atheists rants elsewhere on the internet are less than considered.)
Oh, I know it was the Jesus sticker that was broken up, but it wasn’t the only piece of damage.
Had it been, theists would have been a fair(er) target for suspicion.
Having said that, I am genuinely sorry Thomas A’s car was trashed. That is inexcusable, sad and wrong (whoever did it).
Stephen.
on May 20th, 2007 at 9:56 am
hi
im looking for a website that sell’s the fish n chips logo for my dad
cheers
on May 21st, 2007 at 6:55 am
Kirstie,
Try Evolvefish. They do mountains of splendid stuff, including the badges for your car.
Tim
on May 22nd, 2007 at 2:53 am
Hmmm. Okay. I will consider the possibility that atheists trashed my car.
May we also consider the possibility that treating someone with either contempt or distrust simply for being an atheist might indeed have anything much to do with authentic Christianity?
on May 22nd, 2007 at 4:33 am
Hi Thomas A,
Treating someone with either contempt or distrust simply for being an atheist has nothing at all to do with authentic Christianity. (I couldn’t agree more with that.) By the same token, treating someone with either contempt or distrust simply for being a believer has nothing at all to do with authentic atheism. (Does it?) ~ Stephen.
on June 8th, 2007 at 7:30 am
Greetings frae Scotland.
I was back home in England on Tuesday, and spotted my first ever Darwin fish ~ the silver fish with legs and “Darwin” written within ~ on a car. It’s the first time I’ve seen one here in the U.K. For some reason, I smiled when I saw it (don’t really know why I did that).
It has prompted me not to display a fish symbol on my car (which I wasn’t going to do anyway), but to display a cross instead ~ a much more potent, lovely, and meaningful symbol.
So, I’ll display my cross proudly (an empty cross, that is, so as to symbolise Christ’s resurrection) until that too is hijacked, with a nod of gratitude to those atheists who have prompted me to do so.
It occurs to me that there is a certain sadness, is there not, in the fact that atheists have patently found it necessary to copy and hijack a Christian symbol, instead of demonstrating the wherewithal and initiative to invent one of their own. But, they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
It also occurs to me to ask if atheists anywhere have yet had the guts (or the courage of their convictions) to similarly replicate and display any of the faith symbols held dear by Muslims. I would be interested to know that.
Cordially, as ever ~ Stephen.
on June 10th, 2007 at 2:21 am
Maybe…maybe…half the problem is that we are all dealing in mysteries. Christians can’t explain the mystery(ies) of faith. Atheists can’t explain the mystery(ies) of their convictions. None of us can. (Not fully, anyway.)
Christians like me can’t explain creation.
Atheists can’t explain evolution.
I personally think the two overlap, in that there is room for Intelligent Design (a Creator God) AND a sensible, logical process, thereafter, of development and evolution.
One need not negate the other, and in any case, they are both mysteries.
Christians can’t fully explain the fullest implications of Jesus’ teachings. Atheists can’t explain the fullest implications of Darwin’s teachings (unless, that is, an atheist somewhere has stumbled upon the missing link, and is keeping it secret).
As Stephen Fry writes, “Homo sapiens sapiens and apes both evolved from a common ancestor, though this elusive chappie has not been found yet.”
It’s those last nine words that make absolute reliance upon Darwinism just as much a matter of faith and mystery as anything else. It is, essentially, a choice, just as Christianity is, but, still, a mystery.
Allow me, please, to leave, for your consideration, these beautiful words from Charles Wesley; “‘Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. ‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; Let angel minds inquire no more.”
Maybe…maybe…if Christians and atheists could all exercise a touch more humility and goodwill towards each other, we might all realise that we are all dealing in mysteries. Yours is the mystery of unbelief; mine is the mystery of God. (Christian arrogance, therefore, is as repulsive as atheist arrogance.)
‘Tis mystery all, and we make our choices.
(The fully hymn, by the way, is “And can it be” ~ available in most good hymn books. As a piece of poetry, it stands with the best. As a piece of Christian theology, it does the same.)
Cordially, as ever ~ Stephen.
on July 10th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Dear Stephen,
How interesting to hear such a different point of view on this blog. I’m a rational person who speaks to angels and saints on a daily basis, so I guess you could say I’m a rational theist. I truly believe that our brains are the greatest gifts we are given, and we are expected to use them to the fullest extent we are able. I question anyone who tries to control or manipulate others either mentally or physically by using any kind of belief system. My question to them would be “Why? Who decided that you should be god, or an interpreter for god, in someone else’s life?”
We are all so valuable, and all of our opinions and beliefs are so unique - Too bad we can’t respect and share them and love each other - not despite our different beliefs, but because of them.
As far as athiests in general go - I have great and sincere admiration for them - it’s not easy to be different in this society - or to stand up for your beliefs. I find that most people don’t understand athiesm, and I don’t hesitate to explain my understanding of it when someone questions or denigrates it.
I’m a great admirer of Freurbach, who I consider one of the first people to express athiestic beliefs coherently.
Again, nice to communicate with a fellow theist. I think the reason so many theists don’t like athiests is they’re afraid that atheism is some kind of threat to their own rigid beliefs. If they truly were comfortable with themself and their beliefs, they wouldn’t find it necessary to attack others who believe differently.
Peace to you and to all - especially those persecuted in any way for their beliefs.
Bernadette
on July 17th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
I have the FSM symbol on my car. I go to a christian university and no one has said a word about it! I keep waiting…..
on July 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 am
Hi Bernadette,
Many thanks for your kind and warm greeting. Good to hear from you.
My apologies for taking this long to respond ~ I’ve been away on holiday, and only just returned.
I’m certainly with you in admiring atheists who stand up for what they think. That’s got to be positive, and I would always encourage and support freedom of thought and speech.
It’s just deeply saddening when theists sometimes become defensive, rude and hostile. It’s equally saddening when atheists seem to feel a need to provoke, ridicule and belittle. I’m afraid I just don’t get any of that, and theists and atheists are often as intolerant as each other. It’s as thought theists forget all about courtesy, and it’s as though atheists feel it’s okay to be downright unpleasant.
However, that does nothing to dilute my respect for those who stand up for their convictions, and I would stand shoulder to shoulder with the right of any atheist to share their honest opinions. I would, as a Christian, expect the same in return.
I’ve never read Freurbach, but I’ll keep an eye out for his / her work.
Keep on believing!
Cordially ~ Stephen.
on July 22nd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Hi girlatheist,
I suspect the apparent lack of reaction to your symbol is to do with at least one of the following (feel free to mix and match, though)…
1) People haven’t even noticed it. (Sorry to introduce that stark possibility.)
2) People have noticed it, but have been gracious and mature enough to respect your point of view and your right to freedom of expression and have, therefore, declined to comment.
3) People have noticed it, but haven’t a clue what it represents.
Just out of curiosity, what exactly is it that you are “waiting” for?
Is it some kind of rational, positive discussion, in response to your symbol-placing?
(In which case, good for you. All power to your elbow. Cheers. Well done. Bravo.)
Or is it some kind of hostile response?
(In which case, I can only ponder with bemusement at why an educated free-thinker would attach something to their car with the sole aim of provoking people, rather than thinking of something more constructive to do, or something more conducive to progressive dialogue).
Or are you “waiting” for something else? I would be genuinely interested to find out.
I’ve just attached a tiny little England flag to my car, despite living in Scotland. Because I’m homesick.
Cordially, as ever ~ Stephen.
on July 22nd, 2007 at 12:12 pm
hey everyone.
I would just like to say, the discussions on this blog are very interesting. I’d also like to say that Darwin Fish and Friends has some great stickers, etc.
Another thing- there’s not enough surface are on my bike for a bumper sticker, so, using my new henna kit, I put a temporary FSM tattoo on my ankle. no comments so far…. but I just put it on today
i’ll shut up now-
lanyardlady
on July 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Hi lanyardlady,
My friend Pete has a permanent tattoo of the three crosses of Calvary (those of Jesus and the two thieves) on one of his shoulders.
Just thought you might like to know.
I do not, I’m afraid, have personal knowledge of any other tattooed (Henna or otherwise) body parts (theist or atheist). ~ Stephen.
on July 24th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
To anyone who wonders why Atheists want to show they are Atheists…….for me, I want to display it because I have lived and will continue to live in a society that constantly tries to force that bullshit down my throat, and also have it destroy the world I have to live in. So it’s a small form of retrobution
on July 25th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Retribution, eh? - “recompense, usually for evil, vengeance” (Oxford English Dictionary).
Thanks, TheeAtheist, that’s a really positive way forward, which I’m confident will do nothing at all to hinder or retard the progress of atheistic thought and influence. (Your fellow atheists will no doubt be bursting with pride that you have applied so much intellectual rigour to your dialogue, and have outlined such a forensically sound and articulate case.)
One can just sense and appreciate your concern for progressive dialogue and a reflective, constructive approach. I’m so glad you have such a mature and studious root to your chosen philosophy. You have added something valuable to the debate.
Retribution as a motivation for atheists showing why they are atheists? Hmm, that’s going to impress and convince lots of people, I should imagine, without doing anything at all to breed and foster further hostility.
Full marks on a carefully thought-out reason for wanting to display your atheistic credentials. I’m sure such a motivation will help us all no end, atheists and theists alike.
With thanks ~ Stephen.
on October 13th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
I stumbled upon this website and thought how wonderful it would be to share thoughts and ideas with fellow atheist or freethinking women about child raising, politics, symbolism, and philosophy. Then I come across this Christian guy writing blah, blah, blah. I am really not interested in someone who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I’m a mother of three in the bible belt who started SHH, Secular Helping Hands, a secular organization for good works in the community with no dogma.
Stephen,
Christians have been stealing symbols for their own purpose for such a long time, starting from the beginning. That fish you are so proud of is really a yoni that far predates your fish. A yoni is a woman’s vagina and is a pagan symbol…FYI, followers used to walk through large yonis and be “born again” do any of these things ring a bell?
You are as welcome here as an atheist in a Fundamentalist church and you aren’t converting anyone here either.
Jennifer
on December 7th, 2007 at 3:11 am
Jennifer — lovely to hear from you!
Funny how, after reading through such wonderfully insightful comments from everyone, who seem to be looking to share their points of view in simple statements of fact, and the asking of questions, to those with differing views, in an ongoing search for mutual understanding and enlightenment… that the person that should offer one potential explanation for the root origins of at least one of the symbols in discussion feels a need to do so in an incredibly hostile and defensive manner, and then follow it up with a statement to the effect that the other party is somehow unwelcome in a rational debate, simply for believing differently.
Last I checked, most rationalists welcomed calm and intelligent discussion. Or am I missing something here?
Stephen — I don’t know if you’re still reading comments after so long, but I’ve very much enjoyed reading what you have to say. I personally think the world would be much improved if more theists and non-theists alike were as open-minded and insightful, not to mention generally pleasant overall, as you. :)