Car fish

One of the friends I sometimes borrowed a car from during college had put one of those fish symbols on it. This made me uncomfortable and nervous whenever I drove that car.

I'm a relatively courteous and careful driver -- for someone who grew up in central Jersey, anyway, Driving in New Jersey is a Hobbesian war of all against all. Rush hour in central Jersey is actually about 18 hours long and is governed by two apparently contradictory rules: 1) don't worry, they'll move; and 2) don't worry, they'll stop. One develops an instinctive tendency to close the gaps and get through the lights, and even those of us who are relatively courteous and careful can come across as a bit aggressive sometimes.

In my friend's car, with that fish on it, I had to be extra careful to drive as considerately as possible. I didn't want to cut anyone off, or to be perceived as cutting anyone off, because I didn't want someone to feel like they had just gotten cut off by Jesus. I didn't want someone to reject God, despairing that the universe was a cold, heartless, amoral and purposeless place just because I'm a Jersey driver. I didn't want my savior to take the blame for my driving. (But of course even when driving as courteously as possible I was still driving a car -- emitting noxious fumes from the tailpipe and burning fossil fuels secured by violence against humanity and creation.)

Anyway, that's the main reason why I've never put one of those fish symbols on my own car.

Anecdotally, this is also the reason why I think most of the people who do have those fish probably shouldn't. It seems to me that, more often than not, whenever you're looking at one of those fish, you're also looking at a lousy driver.

That's probably not really the case. My perception of fish-drivers is probably biased by selective memory -- the presence of the fish and its significance is more likely to register with me when its associated with bad driving than when its associated with normal driving. But recognizing that this is how selective memory works only strengthens the case against putting such Christian symbols on one's car. (That's part of the point being made by whoever wrote this very funny top ten list of "Things People Won't Say When They See a Fish on a Car.")

There's also something potentially unseemly or immodest about flaunting such Christian symbols. "They'll know we are Christians by our love," the song says. If we demonstrate such love, the display of symbols becomes superfluous. If we do not demonstrate such love, the display of symbols becomes a mockery.

I was reminded of driving my friend's old fish-car last fall, after putting a Joe Hoeffel for Senate sticker on my car. This again made me a self-consciously courteous driver -- I didn't want to cost Joe any votes with my driving.

But a campaign sticker is a very different thing from a fish symbol. A campaign sticker doesn't carry the same implicit assertion of my own virtue. It simply indicates, "I'm voting for Joe and I think you should too," which invites a very different response than a symbol which says, "I am a Good Person, most likely a Better Person Than You." It's that implicit claim of goodness that invites such a skeptical response to the fish symbol, triggering the selective mental cataloging of every driving blunder by fish cars. This may be why I'm more likely to have a preconceived, negative opinion about the relative driving skills of a fish-car driver than I am an opinion about someone with, say, a rainbow sticker or a sticker of Calvin peeing on something.

The popularity of the fish symbol is also related to the persecution complex we've been discussing here. The early Christians adapted the pagan fish symbol during the Roman persecution as a surreptitious way of identifying one another. It was, for them, not a flag on a marble arch, but a symbol furtively scratched in the dust, then hastily wiped away. That such a symbol is adopted and reinvented into a triumphalist emblem is further evidence of the weirdly contradictory, "persecuted hegemons" self-concept of many American evangelicals.

There's a good summary of the history of the fish symbol at religioustolerance.org, in which they trace the symbol's pre-Christian meaning.

The symbol, originally, was not a fish but rather, ahem, an image representing fertility. (The fact that it also resembled a fish was a very ancient and very, very dirty joke.) That history is strangely echoed in the "BushFish" from "BushFish.org: Supporting God and Country" (thanks, Scott, for the link).

This isn't quite "the abomination that causes desolation, standing in the holy place" -- but it's close.

Like the folks over at DailyKos, I desperately hope this is a well-crafted parody, but it doesn't seem to be.

This symbol is a staggeringly confused piece of Caesar-worship masquerading as Christianity. Where does Jesus end and George W. Bush begin? It's impossible for these people to say, the two have literally been merged into a single entity: the BushFish.

"Stand up and be counted," the site urges followers of the BushFish:

"This symbol, this site, and this car magnet have been created for the millions of Americans who support the President and his vision for a government that embraces religion, morality and family values. It shows worship to the Lord, respect for the President and hope for all."

Actually, it shows worship for the president and disrespect to the Lord. Please, please let this not be sincere.

Comments

[animus]

I would see it more as an echo of the old fertility symbol — implying that Bush is a [redacted].

[Steve]

Its a shame that the church has allowed itself to become defined as the purveyors of "goodness", thus people would see the fish and think: "I am a Good Person, most likely a Better Person Than You."

Wouldn't it be great if they saw the fish and thought "I'm a screwed up person in need of God's love and grace."

Oh, and get yourself some of this: http://www.kerryfish.com

[lyorn]

Wrong fish...

For years I knew the fish as the logo of a company that makes screw anchors and technical construction toys (www.fischer.de). It quite amazed me (and made me happy in a geeky way) that so many drivers seemed to be flag-carrying fans of technical construction toys.

Realizing it was used as a christian symbol was something of a disappointment.

[ajay]

There's a saying in the clothes business (or there used to be): "The brand doesn't guarantee the quality. The quality guarantees the brand."

So you don't say "That shirt is from Turnbull & Asser; it must be really good." You say "That shirt is really nice. It must be from Turnbull & Asser."

[SEK]

I looked at the testimonial letters on the BushFish site. My personal favorite was from someone who included a photo of the sticker on his Hummer. Unfortunately, I think it's sincere.

[Shag from Brookline]

"Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea,
Joy to you and me."

Was this once the Mafia creed?

Seinfeld had a funny episode on the Jesus Fish involving Elaine and her on and off boyfriend Putty, who also programmed his car radio with Christian Rock stations.

[Caleb]

It's interesting the way that the Bush Fish's creators push it as filling some previously unmet need in the market. Like before the Bush Fish, there was just no good sticker out there for Christians who support Bush and God in government. But now, at long last, there is a way, thanks to the Bush Fish, for these people to make themselves visible.

It's almost like another ridiculous example of the "persecution" complex you took down so eloquently in an earlier post. All those Bush-loving Christians were sorely tested and tried by the fact that they didn't have their own fish -- or so the promotional material and some of the comments on the site seem to imply.

[Cunning Linguist]

I really wish I had thought of this. The particular market segment the Bush Fish appeals to isn't known for being all that discerning, and are painfully susceptible to group think/act. Whoever is making those fish is going to make a decent chunk of change. Maybe I could make crosses with Bush on them!! With a tag line like, "If you don't buy this cross, this is what the liberals will do to Him." How bad should I feel for intentionally seperating a fool from his/her money?

[Brennan]

I'm originally from Mississippi, and learned to drive there. Mississippi only requires (last time I checked, anyway) rear license plates, leaving any front license plate mount free for any damfool thing somebody wants to put there. Long before the Jesus Fish Epidemic, fake "JESUS" license plates (which otherwise looked like Mississippi tags of the day) were a popular front-mount option among the evangelical set.

After I got my driver's license, it didn't take me that long to understand that people who were convinced that they were destined for a better place when they died, didn't have as much incentive as us sinners to drive carefully so as to avoid dying in a fiery crash.

[Soundacious]

I posted this essay a couple years back, about the symbolic fish-battle being waged on America's bumpers.

[eRobin]

I'm a much better driver with my Dean and anti-Bush bumper sticker still on my cars for the reasons you cite. I worry for the occasional person who gets distracted yelling at me though. They're dangerous.

[Stephen]

This reminds me of what I end up thinking whenever I see one of those "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven" bumper stickers.

Who in the hell is going to think Christians are perfect?

I can't tell if the arrogance in that statement outweighs the stupidity or if it's the other way around.

[Buhallin]

It's rather intolerant of me to admit it, but I've always hated the fish.

It may be a bit of my own persecution complex as an atheist, but I can't help but feel that the people who express their god in this way would be openly hostile if I were to put a "There is no god" bumper sticker on my car. Living in Texas, I'm honestly afraid to consider doing so, worrying about having my tires slashed or windows broken.

It's ironic that today's Christians, the paragons of virtue and love, make me more afraid of them than I am for my immortal soul if they happen to be right. 'Persecution' indeed.

[Fernmonkey]

I think the point is that some non-Christians think that Christians think themselves to be perfect, and this sticker is a response to that.

[Scott]

I'm not perfect is praising with faint damnation.

[Eileen]

I like reason #5: "Stay clear of those folks, Martha. If they get raptured, that car's gonna be all over the road!"

Maybe instead of objecting to the fish, we should encourage them so that we know who to avoid...you know, just in case they're right about the rapture (though I still don't understand the god that would rapture someone who drives a car (or pilots a plane) knowing they might be raptured at any moment).

And I think the Bushfish people are just jealous of the Darwinfish.

[Scott]

(though I still don't understand the god that would rapture someone who drives a car (or pilots a plane) knowing they might be raptured at any moment).

They only believe it in theory, like the pilot knows he could theoretically have a massive stroke and die right in his seat.

Bumper sticker
"In case of rapture, this car will be unmanned. It will then recklessly careen into children at a school crossing -- killing all of them."

[patter]

Um, Fred...it's Friday, dude...where's our LB???

OK, people, let's hear you: "LEFT BEHIND.....LEFT BEHIND.....LEFT BEHIND!!!"

left behind!!!!

[Brennan]

You've overthinking this. When these drivers are Raptured, all the other Good People will be Raptured too (including, by some interpretations, all the children). The only people Left Behind to be hit by Unmanned cars will be the Wicked, the Godless, and the Liberals, and they're all Doomed to Hell for All Eternity anyway.

A friend of mine once opined that one of the few joys left to us sinners suring the Tribulation will be the sight of a lot of false Christians having to get out of their cars and scrape off those "Unmanned" bumper stickers.

[Mnemosyne]

I have to admit, I still have a tiny soft spot in my heart for the fish people of the early 90s, one of whom stopped and changed my flat tire for me when I ran over a bottle on the 110 Freeway and got a blowout.

I'd like to think that man has removed his fish symbol in disgust for what fake "Christians" have done to a symbol that actually meant something to him.

[Scott Parkerson]

Does anyone else find it amusing that, unlike other versions of the fish, this one is a magnet? This says to me that the owner need not worry about sticky residue left behind (no pun intended) when replacing the BushFish with the inevitable FristFish (should he win in 2008).

Also, they get letters:

From: Sarah L, (New York, NY)
Date: May 3, 2005

"I cannot believe you are suggesting that George W. Bush is the savior!! This country was founded on the belief that Church and State should be kept separate. Why not just respect the founders' wishes and leave well-enough alone?!?!"

To which BushFish.org responds:

PLEASE NOTE: The BushFish does not suggest that President Bush is Divine. It is intended to represent Christian Republicans who support the President's position on God's role in government.

---

Ah, so that's a different cross-dresser in _Pink Flamingos_. Got it.

[Jeff]

Surely you've seen a Darwin Fish.

[Davis X. Machina]

...a sticker of Calvin peeing on something.

Well, I have a decal of Zwingli giving someone the finger. How cool is that?

[twig]

I have to give it up to those people out there slapping on decals of Calvin praying at the cross, paying no attention to the fact that they are VIOLATING COPYRIGHT LAW.

Good, upstanding Christians, every one.

Also, I will admit I've been checking back on this site throughout the day, waiting for the Left Behind. Slacktivist has turned me into a rat pushing on the lever.

[Jeff G.]

Left Behind! Left Behind!

[cjmr]

Just when I thought that the "Christian Right" could not to anything to make me more disgusted with them...

This is even worse than the pictures/prints/t-shirts/posters/etc. with the American flag draped over the cross like a banner I've been seeing lately.

[Andy]

Davis: I must get a copy of your Zwingli decal!

PS, Left Behind! : )

[Scott]

Come on cjmr, America is the new Israel and thus the focal point of both Old and New Testaments. Luckily, God's inexplicable mistake in choosing a backwater as the setting for most of the Bible has been helpfully corrected by us, and a more suitable chosen people (we'd never act like the Israelites) found. I sure am glad we caught God's mistake just in time for the End Times.

[Beth]

Personally, I always kind of liked the fish. It seemed like an improvement over the more popular torture/execution device symbol. What disturbing is that it's current use -- as epitomized by the bushfish -- is not as a religious symbol but a political symbol, and even worse, a symbol of a political system antithetical to American democracy.

The BushFish does not suggest that President Bush is Divine. It is intended to represent Christian Republicans who support the President's position on God's role in government.

If it's true that Bush's position is that God (and religion) should have a major role in government, then he should be impeached immediately. He took an oath to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." If he is now taking an anti-constitutional theocratic position, he should not be allowed to remain in office.

[Jack Grey]

LEFT BEHIND!!!!!!

::ahem:: And now, back on topic.

I guess I don't really understand the need to decorate yourself (or your vehicle, trailer, house, etc.) with slogans. I'm a compulsive reader; if you put text in front of me, I read it. Possibly several times. So wearing a tee-shirt with a slogan is loosely equivalent to walking down the street shouting your phrase-of-choice. I realize it doesn't affect most people that way, but I find it kind of obnoxious (sometimes even when I agree with the sentiment).

Besides, I'm not sure what it's supposed to accomplish. I could put slogans supporting my opinions on my car, but anyone with any sense obviously agrees with me already. Conversely, anyone who disagrees with me... well, who could trust people like that to be even remotely rational? I'd be making my car a target for ill-informed ill will which could easily manifest itself as vandalism, or even verbal or physical confrontation. And, since anyone who doesn't share my every thought and opinion already is clearly mentally and morally inferior, there's no sense in expecting my slogans to change anyone else's mind.

::sigh:: No, best to keep my opinions to myself. No doubt generations of future historians will vindicate me.

[Scott]

Personally, I take my most cherished beliefs from the last bumpersticker or tshirt I've read.

[Jack Grey]

...And there's nothing wrong with that, provided that you limit yourself to bumperstickers and/or shirts which I approve of.

~Jack

[Andrew Cory]

There’s been something missing today, something perhaps that has been left behind in all this discussion...

I think that we lefists need some really snazzy car decals. As someone on the left, behind that, I could really get!

[cjmr]

Obviously it's a good thing I have my irony filter on today, eh, Scott?

[grenadine]

you know, i don't work all week and not call in sick on friday to NOT meta-read Left Behind. You've trained us to push the LB button, now give us our pellet. pretty please.

[g]

L.B.! L.B.! L.B.!

[lightning]

So they're worshipping Caesar and paying their taxes only to God. Inverted Christianity. There's a word for that ....

[Painini]

I see fewer fish in this part of the States, but loads of those "rapture" stickers. Not only are they awfully prideful, they appear to be closely linked to the dogma that Satan invented the turn signal..

[Mark]

One of the funniest things I ever saw was a wrecked car on the side of the road with a "Jesus is my co-pilot" bumper sticker.

My guess was that if indeed Jesus were divine he still didn't get a lot of driving experience when he was here on the planet.

Bad choice in co-pilots.

[dave]

> My guess was that if indeed Jesus were divine he still didn't get a lot of
> driving experience when he was here on the planet.

Well, he drove the money lenders out of the temple, if that counts.

And all twelve apostles were in one Accord...

[FHC]

A friend of mine back in Texas had this bumper sticker:
"When the rapture comes, can I have your car?"

[alphabitch]

PZ Myers offers a link to a very nice automobile accoutrement featuring a T. rex eating one of those jesus fish. http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/comments/nice_icon/

I'm probably not going to put one on my car here in North Carolina - I got my window smashed the other day just for nothing -- I don't have any bumper stickers at all. And incidentally, painnini, around here we figure if there's a car in front of us with turn signals, it was probably like that when they bought it.

[R. Mildred]

And all twelve apostles were in one Accord...

What Would Jesus Drive?

[Caleb]

The Accord is surprisingly roomy, but twelve passengers is pushing it.

[JBWoodford]

What Would Jesus Drive? The last time I saw that discussed, the following came to mind:

When it was afternoon, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a lonely place, but it is too late to return to Galilee by nightfall.” Jesus said, “That need not be a problem; you get us something to ride in.” They said to him, “We have only one moped, and a quarter-tank of gas.” And he said, “Bring it here to me.” Then he ordered the disciples to stand in line; and taking the moped and the gas he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and climbed on the moped and started it. Then Simon called Peter climbed onto the moped behind Jesus, and Andrew his brother behind him; then in like manner James and John, Zebedee’s sons; Philip and Thomas, Bartholemew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot all climbed onto the moped. And they all rode back to Galilee in comfort. And when they reached Galilee, the gas tank was full.

Here endeth the lesson.

[alex]

The ones that honk me off are the following:

"Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven."

Which is just insufferably smug. It's so smug it makes my teeth ache. I always feel like asking if the driver has any cotton/poly t-shirts. Or if they check to see if the high-schooler manning the fryolator at the Hardee's is having her period. Abominations are everywhere!

Then there's this one:

"No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace."

Like no war has ever been started by a Christian. The ahistorical idiocy of this bumpersticker is enough to make me question the owner's grasp on reality. I wouldn't want this sort of thirty-watt bulb sitting on a jury. Unless I was a prosecutor...

[Devon]

"No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace."
I've always understood this as a threat: "Get in line, and no one gets hurt."

[Jeremy Osner]

"No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace."

Oh ok, I was wondering what those demonstrators were chanding at the courthouse... :)

[pepperjackcandy]

"They'll know we are Christians by our love," the song says. If we demonstrate such love, the display of symbols becomes superfluous. If we do not demonstrate such love, the display of symbols becomes a mockery.

Love this! May I quote you, Fred?