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What would Jesus drive? gas-guzzling Americans are asked [MEGA GUARDIAN BARF ALERT]
The Guardian ^ | November 14, 2002 | Oliver Burkeman

Posted on 11/15/2002 8:49:54 PM PST by naine

'What would Jesus drive?' gas-guzzling Americans are asked

Oliver Burkeman in New York

Thursday November 14, 2002

The Guardian

The midwestern United States, equally devout in its worship of God as in its worship of gas-guzzling four-wheel-drive vehicles, is about to be asked to choose between the two.

"What Would Jesus Drive?" is the slogan dominating a television advertising campaign about to blanket cities in Iowa, Indiana and Missouri, along with the southern state of North Carolina.

The question presumably did not arise in first-century Galilee, but the Christian group behind the ads believes the answer would not include sports utility vehicles, the fuel-inefficient, environmentally unfriendly monsters that rule America's roads.

"We have confessed Christ to be our saviour and Lord, and for us, that includes our transportation choices," the Rev Jim Ball, of the Washington-based Evangelical Environmental Network, said.

"Most folks don't think of transportation as a moral issue, but we're called to care for kids and for the poor, and filling their lungs with pollution is the opposite of caring for them."

The campaign's slogan is inspired by What Would Jesus Do?, a phrase ubiquitous among young Christians in the US who sport it on bracelets, clothing and customised Bible covers.

"We take seriously the question What Would Jesus Do?", Mr Ball said. "What Would Jesus Drive? is just a more specific version. What would he want me to do as a Christian? Would he want me to use public transportation?"

A coalition of religious groups, led by Christians and Jews, are due to launch a related campaign later this month in Detroit, America's car capital, where they have called for a meeting with representatives from the big three manufacturers, Ford, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler.

Though all three companies have begun to launch hybrid cars powered partly by electricity, SUVs, vans and pickups still account for half the new vehicles sold in the US. TV ads abound declaring them "professional grade" and built "like a rock".

Car companies say they are only responding to demand.

"If people would be demanding tailfins on cars, we'd be making tailfins on cars," said Eron Shosteck, of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

At least one car maker is fighting on the same territory as Mr Ball: Chevrolet has been touring a series of nationwide evangelical rock concerts entitled Chevrolet Presents: Come Together and Worship, prompting condemnation from non-Christian groups.

"This may be a sign of the times," Rabbi James Rudin, spokesman for the American Jewish Committee, said recently. "But it's not a good sign."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: automobiles; cars; chevrolet; chevy; excursion; expedition; ford; gasguzzler; globalwarming; gm; gmc; god; green; jesus; maxlucado; roadhog; stationwagon; suburban; suv; suvs; trucks; wwjd
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To: Paul Atreides; nanrod
I drive a rusted out school bus, does that make me an a-hole? Or are SUV drivers just a-holes?
41 posted on 11/15/2002 9:35:57 PM PST by MotleyGirl70
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To: UncleWes
>Jesus didn't own much, so I doubt he'd drive and I doubt he'd have money for public transportation.

Au contrarie. He had the coin to pay the temple tax and had enough money that they needed to person to handle the funds (who ended up stealing from the company, accounting problems causing yet another scandal).

42 posted on 11/15/2002 9:36:24 PM PST by Dialup Llama
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To: IH83WTS
Ohyea,with a 383,drive em out real quick.
43 posted on 11/15/2002 9:36:31 PM PST by eastforker
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Lord of my transportation choices:


44 posted on 11/15/2002 9:37:47 PM PST by Timesink
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To: eastforker
Anybody got a pic of the dukes of hazzard plymouth?
45 posted on 11/15/2002 9:39:12 PM PST by eastforker
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To: MotleyGirl70
Also, what about people who have more than one car? Pick-ups? Motorcycles? Three-wheelers? Four-wheelers? Riding lawnmowers? Boats? Cadillacs? Minivans? Cars larger than a ladybug?
46 posted on 11/15/2002 9:39:30 PM PST by Paul Atreides
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To: naine
"What Would Jesus Drive?"

Only fools would make light of the name of Jesus.

47 posted on 11/15/2002 9:39:40 PM PST by Cindy
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To: Rome2000
Are those Bruce Slicks on that Digger?
48 posted on 11/15/2002 9:40:01 PM PST by tubebender
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To: eastforker

49 posted on 11/15/2002 9:40:38 PM PST by Paul Atreides
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To: eastforker
Here's something extra...


50 posted on 11/15/2002 9:42:10 PM PST by Paul Atreides
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To: PRND21
He already does... Just say his name around one in actual reference to him instead of as a slur / epithet and they come unhinged.
51 posted on 11/15/2002 9:42:25 PM PST by Theophilus
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To: UncleWes
Jesus didn't own much

Just the earth and everything in it.

52 posted on 11/15/2002 9:42:51 PM PST by shiva
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To: naine
Sandles
53 posted on 11/15/2002 9:43:34 PM PST by A CA Guy
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To: nanrod
nanrod signed up 2002-09-16

Geez you can't even spell your own name. The correct spelling would be Nimrod.

54 posted on 11/15/2002 9:44:58 PM PST by Boiler Plate
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To: Theophilus
Notice how the author of this article makes some sort of connection between Christians and gas-guzzling, based on some out of the ordinary group. Yet, we cannot make any sort of connection between Muslims and terrorism.
55 posted on 11/15/2002 9:45:27 PM PST by Paul Atreides
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To: ConservativeMan55
Courtesy of Grampa Dave


56 posted on 11/15/2002 9:45:51 PM PST by need_a_screen_name
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To: naine
A "Chryistler" of course !

Stay Safe !

57 posted on 11/15/2002 9:46:08 PM PST by Squantos
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To: Paul Atreides
#50 wouldn't reveal itself.But thanks for 49.hehe
58 posted on 11/15/2002 9:46:09 PM PST by eastforker
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To: eastforker
#50 is Daisy Duke!
59 posted on 11/15/2002 9:47:27 PM PST by Paul Atreides
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To: naine
Since when do these people care anything about Jesus?
60 posted on 11/15/2002 9:47:50 PM PST by nickcarraway
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