Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Lady MacDuff · 07-12-2002, 08:24 AM

I am not sure if this is the right place for this topic, and I know I am stereotyping a vast majority of the population of the United States, but from a recent experience on the road, I ask the question: Does being Christian automatically make one a bad driver?

I drove my boyfriend to work this morning in downtown Chicago (always a bad idea anyway). I tried to convince him to take the el, but he was running late and insisted it was faster for me to drop him off. The entire ordeal took me almost 2 hours, but what struck me was the number of cars with those silver fish stuck on the back who almost killed us. I was cut off by someone, almost driven into the side of an SUV by someone else who was changing lanes without looking, and was continually slamming on the brakes behind people who don't know how to use a turn signal. Three of the the bad drivers had fish on them, and one had a bumper sticker about Jesus.

Could the fact that Christians believe they are going to heaven make them less scared of death and thus more aggressive and dangerous drivers?

Could the fact that Christians think they can be forgiven for their sins make them more hostile drivers and less concerned with hurting others?

Should Christians have to pay higher auto insurance premiums?

Sorry if this post is in the wrong spot or anything. I was just SO frustrated. Has anyone else ever had a similar experience? Am I totally wrong to think someone's driving is affected by their beliefs?

B. H. Manners · 07-12-2002, 09:02 AM

Well, judging by how a lot of them drive the good ol' gospel chariot you would think they should be barred from getting a license.

Vesica · 07-12-2002, 09:38 AM

Um....I think you are making unfair assumptions...

Not that the Christian religion has a doctrine to address proper driving behavior but I am forced to question how well awful drivers who flaunt Christian symbols are practicing thier alleged faith...

Sadly, I too have been nearly killed by people driving badly, screamed at and been the target of rude hand gestures by individuals sporting Xian symbols...When I get done being shamed by these idiots I may be able to seriously address this issue...*sigh*

Vesica · 07-12-2002, 09:41 AM

Wait, I 've gotten over it.

Empirically, all you have is anecdotal evidence...I do not think you have a case for restricting or punishing a group based on a tenous link between belief and driving ability....

....On the other hand who hasn't questioned if sex chromosomes somehow affect driving ability as well! You are not the first nor shall you be the last to ponder why some people can't drive!

HelenM · 07-12-2002, 09:43 AM

I'd say what it shows is, it's much easier to stick a silver fish on your car than to remember and exemplify what the Bible says.

For example, about patience:

Quote:

Prov 16:32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

And about patience and kindness:

Quote:

1 Cor 13:4 Love is patient , love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered

Anyway, I think it has more to do with Christians not paying sufficient attention to what they supposedly believe, than with them acting according to their beliefs. Imo.

love
Helen

Godless Dave · 07-12-2002, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HelenSL:
it's much easier to stick a silver fish on your car than to remember and exemplify what the Bible says.

That's actually kind of profound.

Jamie_L · 07-12-2002, 11:42 AM

Maybe God is a bad driver. After all, he co-pilot's most of those cars, doesn't he?

Jamie

atheistdave · 07-12-2002, 11:44 AM

Tree huggers aren't exactly ready for Daytona either, if you get my drift. All groups have bad drivers and good drivers. You just notice the bad ones. As a motorcycle rider I always pay special attention to fish emblems, Volvos, AAA stickers, AARP decals, and hats. Yes hats, not a ball cap, but a proper dress hat like old uncle Geezer would wear. And any car with knuckles showing on the wheel with no other obvious sign of a driver.

Dave

Oh, muder hom... I mean motor homes too.

[ July 12, 2002: Message edited by: atheistdave ]

Vesica · 07-12-2002, 11:47 AM

I had a professor that rountinely called SUV's SAV's - Suburban Assult Vehicles!

HelenM · 07-12-2002, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jamie_L:
Maybe God is a bad driver. After all, he co-pilot's most of those cars, doesn't he?

Jamie

Ahhh, that could be the problem! He's supposed to be the driver, not the co-pilot!

love
Helen

07-12-2002, 08:24 AM	#1
Lady MacDuff Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 180	Are Christians bad drivers? I am not sure if this is the right place for this topic, and I know I am stereotyping a vast majority of the population of the United States, but from a recent experience on the road, I ask the question: Does being Christian automatically make one a bad driver? I drove my boyfriend to work this morning in downtown Chicago (always a bad idea anyway). I tried to convince him to take the el, but he was running late and insisted it was faster for me to drop him off. The entire ordeal took me almost 2 hours, but what struck me was the number of cars with those silver fish stuck on the back who almost killed us. I was cut off by someone, almost driven into the side of an SUV by someone else who was changing lanes without looking, and was continually slamming on the brakes behind people who don't know how to use a turn signal. Three of the the bad drivers had fish on them, and one had a bumper sticker about Jesus. Could the fact that Christians believe they are going to heaven make them less scared of death and thus more aggressive and dangerous drivers? Could the fact that Christians think they can be forgiven for their sins make them more hostile drivers and less concerned with hurting others? Should Christians have to pay higher auto insurance premiums? Sorry if this post is in the wrong spot or anything. I was just SO frustrated. Has anyone else ever had a similar experience? Am I totally wrong to think someone's driving is affected by their beliefs?

07-12-2002, 11:44 AM	#8
atheistdave Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Dana, IN USA Posts: 225	Tree huggers aren't exactly ready for Daytona either, if you get my drift. All groups have bad drivers and good drivers. You just notice the bad ones. As a motorcycle rider I always pay special attention to fish emblems, Volvos, AAA stickers, AARP decals, and hats. Yes hats, not a ball cap, but a proper dress hat like old uncle Geezer would wear. And any car with knuckles showing on the wheel with no other obvious sign of a driver. Dave Oh, muder hom... I mean motor homes too. [ July 12, 2002: Message edited by: atheistdave ]</p>

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07-12-2002, 09:02 AM	#2
B. H. Manners Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,213	Well, judging by how a lot of them drive the good ol' gospel chariot you would think they should be barred from getting a license.

07-12-2002, 09:38 AM	#3
Vesica Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sunny FLA USA Posts: 212	Um....I think you are making unfair assumptions... Not that the Christian religion has a doctrine to address proper driving behavior but I am forced to question how well awful drivers who flaunt Christian symbols are practicing thier alleged faith... Sadly, I too have been nearly killed by people driving badly, screamed at and been the target of rude hand gestures by individuals sporting Xian symbols...When I get done being shamed by these idiots I may be able to seriously address this issue...sigh

07-12-2002, 09:41 AM	#4
Vesica Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sunny FLA USA Posts: 212	Wait, I 've gotten over it. Empirically, all you have is anecdotal evidence...I do not think you have a case for restricting or punishing a group based on a tenous link between belief and driving ability.... ....On the other hand who hasn't questioned if sex chromosomes somehow affect driving ability as well! You are not the first nor shall you be the last to ponder why some people can't drive!

07-12-2002, 11:42 AM	#7
Jamie_L Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: U.S. Posts: 2,565	Maybe God is a bad driver. After all, he co-pilot's most of those cars, doesn't he? Jamie

07-12-2002, 11:47 AM	#9
Vesica Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sunny FLA USA Posts: 212	I had a professor that rountinely called SUV's SAV's - Suburban Assult Vehicles!

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