# Bumper Sticker: So Many Christians.... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2005, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338 "2005-06-22T11:15:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/81 "2005-06-24T18:34:20Z")
> [@Genghis Bob](#): > > I have often wondered, though if the “Darwin Fish” people realize that not \*\*all \*\* Christians are Biblical literalists. Sure. I just think it’s funny. He’s hanging out on my bumper next to the Budda Fish and fomerly the Hindu fish. He was the coolest of all, I’m guessing that why he was stolen from my bumper. So many Hindus, so little hamburgers… ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/82 "2005-06-24T18:40:44Z")
I didn’t find the forgiven bumpersticker offensive, but I found it scary. I find the lions one neither offensive nor scary because the reference is too hyperbolic. It isn’t like lynching or gas chambers which are recent and very real, and which were the victimization of a persecuted minority. Christians today are the majority, and hardly persecuted. Lions aren’t a method of execution much in vogue. And my sense of the early persecution of Christians was that a lot of it had to do with them being just really annoying. I would also not be bothered by a hypothetical bumpersticker like “So many heretics, so few Grand Inquisitors.” ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/83 "2005-06-25T14:30:48Z")
Remember: Most people think insults about groups are funny as long as it’s not about _their_ group. While reading this thread, I found myself wanting a bumper sticker saying “So many Christians. So few Madonnas.” ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/84 "2005-06-25T14:47:55Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Is a bumper sticker with “So Many Christians, So Few Lions” offensive? I’m pretty much an Atheist/Agnostic, and I don’t find it particularly offensive. I find it quite humorous actually. I don’t find “Christians Aren’t Perfect - Just Forgiven” offensive either. I would say that an anti-Christian bumpersticker holder would be more likely to get his car keyed or be the victim of road rage than a pro-Christian bumpersticker holder. JMO ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/85 "2005-06-25T14:56:43Z")
What bothers me about it is the conflation of “Christian” and (presumably) the idea of “Raving Lunatic Hate-Filled Fundamentalist”. It propogates the idea that _all_ Christians are like that, which…UGH. That’s really the only part I’m offended by, the use of the word “Christian” to denote “Psychotic Foamer-at-the-Mouth.” ---
**Author:** ![Soapbox\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Soapbox\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soapbox_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/86 "2005-06-25T21:39:04Z")
> [@Max Carnage](#): > > (sorry, couldn’t think of what kills athiests historically…crusades?) No, the crusades were to kill Muslims. The church cares much less about godless heathens than it does about people who worship a god that isn’t their own. ---
**Author:** ![Soapbox\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Soapbox\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soapbox_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/87 "2005-06-25T21:42:29Z")
> [@Soapbox Monkey](#): > > No, the crusades were to kill Muslims. The church cares much less about godless heathens than it does about people who worship a god that isn’t their own. Forgot for a moment that both religions actually worship the SAME God. Just goes to show you how bent out of shape they got when someone worshipped God in a different way. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/88 "2005-06-26T00:13:39Z")
I enjoy many of the bumper stickers cited in the OP. But I consider myself a Christian. I lost my “'N Chips” fish, but I still have “I’m for the Separation of Church and HATE” showing. The lions one? Yeah, I’d find it funny, but also believe some Christians would find it a little offensive. The other bumper stickers seemed to be complaining about specific aspects of Christianity that _some_ Christians emphasize. They express sentiments that many Christians probably would themselves embrace. But the “Lions” sticker suggests they’re all bad seed. And like Tracy Lord said, it suggests the car owner believes that ALL Christians are of the foaming-at-the-mouth stripe. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/89 "2005-06-27T13:03:59Z")
> [@Soapbox Monkey](#): > > Forgot for a moment that both religions actually worship the SAME God. Just goes to show you how bent out of shape they got when someone worshipped God in a different way. I think you’ll find the sticking point is that whole Jesus Christ thing. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/90 "2005-06-27T13:58:18Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > I think you’ll find the sticking point is that whole Jesus Christ thing. Moreso that wacky Muhammed character, as IIRC Islam does believe Jesus of Nazareth to be a prophet of Allah. (Just not, you know, _the_ prophet.) ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/91 "2005-06-27T14:16:42Z")
> [@Labdad](#): > > Yeah, it’s offensive. > > On the other hand, I saw a bumper sticker some time ago that said “Doing my best to piss off the Religious Right.” I suppose that’s offensive, too, but if I could find one, I’d put it on my car! Hey, I’m a Christian Sunday school teacher and part-time youth worker, and I’m doing my best to piss off the Religious Right too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/92 "2005-06-27T14:38:10Z")
Would christians find a “Thank God I’m an Atheist” sticker offensive ? I considered putting one… to counter the “Thank God I’m catholic” stickers that are common over here. Like most dopers here I thought the integrity of my car was more important. ``` I find it sad that a Christian putting a sticker seems more "acceptable". Some are much more on your face than christian fish... some are big "jesus is king" or "Jesus is faitful", "I pay 10% to my church" etc.... ``` ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/93 "2005-06-27T15:12:08Z")
This morning I saw one that said something like, “In the case of rapture, this car will be unmanned, causing a rear-end crash and you damned to eternal hellfire.” I swear, that’s what it said. I wasn’t particularly offended, but it did make me wonder why someone would put that on their car. They’re just assuming that anyone behind them is going to hell? That’s fucked up. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/94 "2005-06-27T15:17:40Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > They’re just assuming that anyone behind them is going to hell? That’s fucked up. It is not that you are going to go to hell because you are not as perfect as them :rolleyes: , it is because you are still in the car. You see, if you were not going to hell, you would be heading to heaven at that very moment, not trying to avioid crashing. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/95 "2005-06-27T15:27:35Z")
> [@Scott Plaid](#): > > It is not that you are going to go to hell because you are not as perfect as them :rolleyes: , it is because you are still in the car. You see, if you were not going to hell, you would be heading to heaven at that very moment, not trying to avioid crashing. Ah, ok. Well, if that happens, I’ll be sure to pray for forgiveness at the last minute. I’m told that’s an effective loophole to the whole rapture thing. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/96 "2005-06-27T17:47:43Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > Ah, ok. Well, if that happens, I’ll be sure to pray for forgiveness at the last minute. I’m told that’s an effective loophole to the whole rapture thing. 😃 Assuming you notice that the other motorists have “raptured” you might ask for forgiveness ! Otherwise you’ll probably be swearing at what you think is a lousy driver in front of you ! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/97 "2005-06-27T17:49:42Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > “In the case of rapture, this car will be unmanned, causing a rear-end crash and you damned to eternal hellfire.” That’s fucked up. This is very offensive… what an asshole to put such a thing… its the all too familiar “I’m saved and your damned” smug atitude. ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/98 "2005-06-27T18:20:19Z")
> [@HPL](#): > > I imagine the witches one would get the Wiccan crowd up in arms. Particulary the ones who go on about the “burning times” You’re kidding, right? Do some Wiccan folks actually refer (seriously) to “the burning times”? As far as the OP goes, I find it awfully hard to get riled up about bumper stickers. Now…that Calvin peeing on a Ford symbol…makes me angry! ---
**Author:** ![Axel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@Axel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Axel)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/99 "2005-06-27T20:27:34Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > I’d call it highly offensive. > > Sorry to Godwinize but I really don’t see a whole lot of difference between that and > > “So many Jews, too little Zyclon B” > > Yeah there’s 2000 years removed, but still a very assholish statement. The timing does make a big difference. Timing is everything in comedy, and this sticker is kinda funny. In addition, Christians are the majority group, and the majority group is fair game. It’s easy to see how it could offend someone though, and only an asshole would want to offend _all_Christians, so it is assholish behaviour. > [@Walloon](#): > > Because the fish symbol is a general symbol for Christianity. It’s not a “creationist” symbol. Perhaps, then, it could be sympathising with Christians who do believe in evolution? Less a parody of the fish symbol, more a melding of it with other beliefs. I could imagine a Christian having a Darwin fish bumper sticker themselves. ---
**Author:** ![tygerbryght](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@tygerbryght](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygerbryght)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2005, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338/100 "2005-06-28T07:38:39Z")
I’m a bit late to the party, sorry. > [@BMalion](#): > > Could you tell me where in the Bible it says this? > > > [@Indygrrl](#): > > > > Well, the bible teaches that only God can judge. If someone is a true Xtian, then they would try hard not to judge others. > > Could you describe what you mean by “judge people”? I do this quite often and it’s not nessessarily a bad thing. Here’s the reference that is usually meant (rather than the ones given previously). It’s from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: > [@](#): > > Matthew 7:1-2, King James Version > Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. According to this passage, and the ones cited by **Scott Plaid** , no Christian should judge another person. I take that to mean we are not to draw conclusions about them. Of course, making observations about someone’s public behavior is not judging. Drawing conclusions about their intent would be. Clear as mud? 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-sticker-so-many-christians/309338.md?page=6)