Ads seek to turn buying a car into moral question (Enviral Blasphemy)

Naples Daily News (via AP) ^ | 11-14-02 | EMERY P. DALESIO

[AAABEST]

RALEIGH, N.C. — An evangelical group hopes to turn the car-buying decision into a question of conscience with a campaign that asks: What would Jesus drive?

The Wynnewood, Pa.- based Evangelical Environmental Network will begin running television ads this month in North Carolina, Iowa, Indiana and Missouri to urge consumers to park their sport-utility vehicles and buy fuel-efficient cars because Jesus wants the Earth's natural systems preserved.

The Rev. Jim Ball, executive director of the Evangelical Environmental Network, sits in the Riverside Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., last week. The network, based in Wynnewood, Pa., will being running television ads later this month in Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C., as well as in Iowa, Indiana and Missouri, to urge consumers to park their sport utility vehicles and buy fuel- efficient cars because, he says, Jesus wants the Earth's natural systems preserved. AP photo

"Economic issues are moral issues. There really isn't a decision in your life that isn't a moral choice," said the Rev. Jim Ball, executive director of the group behind the "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign.

It's a small voice considering SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks — which together make up the light- duty truck category — last year made up half the new vehicles sold in the United States. The average fuel economy for all 2003 model cars and passenger trucks dropped to 20.8 miles per gallon, reflecting what automakers and many buyers say is a higher priority on comfort and family needs than conserving gasoline.

Though automakers make higher profits from light trucks than on cars (by some estimates more than $10,000 per unit) they say they'd be happy to sell more fuel-efficient vehicles.

However, Eron Shosteck , a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said: "People want power. Consumers want power."

The Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign plans to send mailings this month to 100,000 congregations discussing the relationship between fuel economy and reli gious teachings about stewardship and justice.

The campaign is a joint effort of the National Council of Churches and the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.

The groups plan to frame their arguments in moral — as well as economic — terms by promoting hybrid and fuel-cell powered vehicles, as well as other existing fuel- saving technologies. Hybrids run on both gas and electricity, and so use less fuel than traditional engines. Fuel cells, a technology developed to power space vehicles, makes energy from a chemical reaction with no harmful emissions.

The Big Three — Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG — plan to mass market SUVs and pickups with hybrid technology starting next year. Toyota and Honda began selling a limited number of hybrid cars this year.

Other technologies in mass production could cut the weight, improve the acceleration, reduce exhaust emissions and use half the gasoline of a comparative Ford Explorer XLT, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, which supports tougher federal fuel economy standards.

Guessing which rig would meet Jesus' approval should be a serious consideration for conservative Christians, who are called to preserve the created world, Ball said. Global warming and smoggy air worsened by vehicle exhausts threaten the health of humans, plants and animals worldwide, he said in an interview as he rode a commuter train from his Washington, D.C., office to his Maryland home 55 miles away.

"We think he is Lord of our transportation choices as well as all our other choices," said Ball, an American Baptist minister. "When you need a new car, you should buy the most fuel- efficient one that truly meets your needs."

[VOA]

"What Would Jesus Drive?"

He'd walk or ride a donkey.

As far as I can remember from all my Bible classes, he apparently didn't drive/buy
a fancy racing chariot or even a wagon.

Seriously, if he came back to do another mission, he'd probably live/preach in a major
metro area, ride public transit, and be smart enough to stay away from the Department of
Motor Vehicles, insurance salemen and auto dealers.

That would be the smart thing to do if he only had the usual three short years
to do the work.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I guess he was. 2 Timothy 4:7... "I have finished the race"

[freebilly]

Excellent! Quite the race, too...!

[whipitgood]

AMEN!
Especially the DMV part.

[homeschool mama]

Well, I'm a Christian and drive a Tahoe...but would prefer to drive a Suburban for the size and load capacity. :oD My first choice would be a Sherman Tank though. LOL

[homeschool mama]

Wahoooo bump!

[homeschool mama]

** I'm still stuck in the mini-van era. **

Hmmm...I was stuck there for a number of years too. I've been delivered though...and now drive a Tahoe. :o)

[VOA]

Actually, I wasn't being true to the spirit of the Jesus's visitation.

If he stayed consistent, he'd be eating and talking with DMV workers, car insurance
salespersons and car salespeople.
Like the tax collectors of his time, these are some of the most despised people...
and Jesus would try to get inside their heads.

If that's now a sign of divinity, I don't know what is.
(and I honestly would consider it POSSIBLE sign of mental pathology for non-divine
folks who would attempt the same mission).

[rdb3]

The problem with asking "What would Jesus Do" is that we simply don't know. The culture that He lived in was so very different from our own.

I agree from the standpoint of methodology. But you just said more than you think you did. We can take this example and apply it to tons of subjects that would be accurate as well.

No mercy.
Coming soon: Tha SYNDICATE.
101 things that the Mozilla browser can do that Internet Explorer cannot.

[stainlessbanner]

"And this is the number of them: thirty Chargers of gold, a thousand Chargers of silver...."

....And one hummer orange Charger for Bo & Luke.

[gnarledmaw]

According to Jay Leno last night...

What would Jesus drive? Well, lets see, a young single guy living in a rural area and working as a carpenter...I guess he'd drive a big truck.

[whipitgood]

Sounds like you know the real Jesus.

[Darnright]

"The last line is really just common sense, but it doesn't imply you will not buy a SUV. What does "meet your needs" imply:"

You forgot one primary need - the need of people who live in areas of the country that get snow to have a vehicle that is more able than a rear wheel or front wheel vehicle to maneuver on snowy streets.

We live up a private, gravel road (emphasis on the "up") which stays snowy long after the main roads are clear. Therefore, we have a "need" for our Ford Explorer (our 6 cylinder gets 20mpg on the highway, so getoveritalready).

I get very tired of busybodies telling other people what they "need" or "don't need", when it comes to automobiles. Using Jesus to do so is beyond the pale.

[Mr170IQ]

I can't believe no one has posted this yet, so I'll do it.

From "The Simpsons" Season 3, episode 6, "Like father, like Klown", with Jackie Mason as Rabbi Hyman Krustofsky:

Man 2: Rabbi, should I buy a Chrysler?
Rabbi K: Eh, couldn't you rephrase that as a, as an ethical question?
Man 2: Um... Is it right to buy a Chrysler?
Rabbi K: Oh, yes! [chuckles] For great is the car with power steering and dynaflow suspension!

[ocean]

I see Jesus and his posse on Harleys.

[Darksheare]

Hmmm.. A Humvee then meets my needs.
*grin*

[Thinkin' Gal]

[Thinkin' Gal]

What would Jesus drive?

the moneychangers out of the temple

[CyberAnt]

I'm sorry, but Jesus is not an environmental whacko.

Besides, Jesus knows the world is going to burn up ... why would he care what people drive.

[fly_so_free]

ROFLMAO I should have known better than to check in to Free Republic late at night, I was just going to go to sleep. Now, I have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. I just woke people up in my house. This is one of the funniest threads I've seen. There should be some kind of Hall of Fame on Free Republic for humorous threads. Goodnight and thanks for the laughs, all.