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Dr Shari
Skeptic Friend
135 Posts |
 Posted - 01/18/2002 : 06:35:50
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This is a true story. For people who do not know me when I say "This is a true story" it means it is absoutely true and not just one of my flights of fancy or an exaggeration.
I have a Darwin Fish on the back of my car. If you have not seen one of these it is like the fish Christians put on the back of their cars only mine has legs on the fish to indicate evolution and the word Darwin in the middle. My daughter is Jewish so she has one with a Star of David and the word gefelte on hers. I find them amusing and clever but I am not attempting to insult anyone with Christian beliefs. It is just funny to me.
Last week while at a complete stop at a red light a man in a large pick up truck rammed into the back of my car doing $3200 worth of damage. I fortunately was physically not injured but the force of the impact could have easily damaged someones neck or thrown a small child, even in a car seat, about. After my initial shock of the impact I got out to see if the other driver was alright and then to check the damage to my car. Accidents happen so I was not angry just surprised.
I had no more then gotten out of my car when the other driver, a man about 30 and well over six feet pushed me then pinned me to my car. He had his fist raised to hit me when the passenger in his truck stopped him. Now I think I am being car-jacked or robbed and am getting a little scared. As this is a very busy intersection in the large city I live in a number of other people could have come to my aid but they were busy pretending not to notice what was going on. Luckily a person pissed off at missing his turn light dialed 911. It was then that I found out what the actual problem was.
"How dare you mock the words of God!" my attacker yelled. "It is people like you who are destroying this country." He did not mean we redheads. When I finally freed myself from his grip I saw a bumpersticker on his car that said "Honk If You Love Jesus". Later after the police arrived I saw the back of his truck and his proud display of religous and Right To Life declarations. He had his Jesus Fish and one particularly interesting bumpersticker that read " In America the most dangerous place for a baby to be is in it's mothers womb".
I consider myself lucky that a police car was just a minute away and I was quickly rescued me from this now frothing at the mouth follower of Jesus. I may not be a Christian myself but having been raised a Lutheran and having done my obligatory Sunday mornings in church this was not how I would have ever have seen Jesus wanting his followers to behave. The man was arrested for aggravated battery plus given a ticket for hitting my car whom he has now ordered his insurance company not to pay the claim on.
Is there such a thing as Righteous Christian Violence? Was my Darwin Fish such a threat to him and his beliefs that that level of threat was necessary to prove to God that he was a True Believer? My little piece of plastic on my car almost got me killed. That is saddest part of all.
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 06:44:01 [Permalink]
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Sadly believable.
It is a mark of the insecurity of such people.
I have found violence to this degree to be rare, but some level of physical or, more commonly, psychological violence is regrettably common.
You must, of course, decide what response you will have, but I would consider a lawsuit. The real reason I suggest this is that you must consider the impact if there HAD been a child in the car; there may be one in the next one he rams.
My kids still love me. |
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 06:46:52 [Permalink]
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Which, I suppose, makes me an evangelical skeptic.
My kids still love me. |
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Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 06:56:43 [Permalink]
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I would do as Garrette says and seriously consider filing a civil suit.
I find it amazing the lengths to which some followers of religions will go in their attempt to force everyone to their view.
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There is no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our world. It underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've known. Sagan |
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 07:09:31 [Permalink]
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I am not an expert on the legislation, but I think you could classify this as a 'hate crime.' I am also not a fan of hate crime laws, but it's tempting to use their own weapons against them.
My kids still love me. |
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Tim
SFN Regular
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 07:12:40 [Permalink]
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I am very sad to hear such a story. This must have been a very harrowing experience. Zealous adherence to a religion like Christianity can be very dangerous. Even the language they use is the language of violence.
I live in an area where the conservative Catholics, the Fundamentalists, and the Charismatics wield alot of power. Luckily, my size and general appearance makes others think twice before confronting me in a violent mannor, but I have been the brunt of much vindictiveness. Here, white supremacists are often given more respect than even agnostics, if that agnostic expresses her/his opinion.
Let's face it, if the end is near, and a better life lies just ahead, why worry a bit about what really goes on on this old planet.
Please, let us know how the case with the insurance company comes out, or came out. Plus, I'm just curious, did you file charges against the offender?
I had a student ask me, "Could the savior you believe in save Osama bin Laden?" Of course, we know the blood of Jesus Christ can save him, and then he must be executed.
-- Rev. Jerry Falwell
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 08:02:41 [Permalink]
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Doc, your experience shows that these idiots only pick on those that they think can present no threat to them, mostly women. I'm saddened to hear it happened to you.
I have a Darwin fish on the back of my redneck-mobile (87 Ford pickup) and on my front door. As I look like an Hell's Angel fresh out of rehab, I am never hassled. And I live in NC, where the double-dipped Baptists slightly out number the opossum population. We gots lots of 'possums.
I sincerly hope you sue this sorry bastard. I sincerly hope he pulls some time.
regards,
f
The more I learn about people, the better I like rattlesnakes. |
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Gorgo
SFN Die Hard
USA
5310 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 08:21:07 [Permalink]
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People who are angry and confused are angry and confused with or without religion. This is a story for those that tell me that religion is a positive force. Religion is just a fantasy that people can use to back up the things they do, whether they be wise or foolish, just like some people's ideas about politics or even "skepticism" can be used to do all kinds of things.
"Not one human life should be expended in this reckless violence called a war against terrorism." - Howard Zinn |
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Donnie B.
Skeptic Friend
417 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 08:37:44 [Permalink]
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Hi, Dr. S,
I think maybe you should talk to a lawyer. I think maybe he'll send you to a doctor who might just determine that you suffered considerably more injury than you think. I think maybe you have a very serious neck problem and that this bozo will be paying your medical bills for the rest of his sorry life.
Seriously, though...
I don't suggest that you fake should a non-existent injury. But I do urge you to pursue him and his insurance company to the fullest extent of the law, both civilly and criminally. His behavior is no more acceptable than, say, flying an airliner into a skyscraper.
By the way, did this incident make the news? If not, maybe it would be worth calling the local paper or radio station. This guy needs to see that his actions are way outside the range of "socially acceptable". An embarrassing story in the press could help get that message across. Oh, and if it did get reported, what paper was it in? Maybe it's on their web site...
-- Donnie B.
[Added "By the way...]
Edited by - Donnie B. on 01/18/2002 08:40:55 |
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PhDreamer
SFN Regular
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 08:39:47 [Permalink]
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What would Jesus do, indeed.
I think a civil suit would be difficult, at best, because of your lack of injury. If his actions were intentional, he might be looking at assault w/ a deadly weapon. Hate crime criteria varies from state to state so you might want to look into that. Religion is a federally protected class and so falls under discrimination statutes. Hate crime legislation tends to mirror discrimination so you've probably got a case. As for the insurance company, I think they are contractually bound to pay if he is found legally at fault. I've never heard of someone able to order his insurance company not to pay. In any case, a lawyer would go directly to the insurance company for payout. Hope this helps.
Adventure? Excitement? A Jedi craves not these things. - Silent Bob |
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JRB
New Member
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 09:44:30 [Permalink]
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. . . .and that's why I don't have any "religious" stickers on my truck.
I'd love to put on a SOCAS sticker or darwin fish, but vandalism or being rammed from behind ain't worth it. . . .
*sigh*
get a lawyer and good luck!
"Dear God. We paid for all this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing."
~Bart Simpson saying grace |
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 11:14:01 [Permalink]
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Let me see if I can follow this story.
First cancer, then your husband flips out over jealousy and now a nut case attackes you with a truck.
Obviously you have been cursed.
You haven't been fooling around with any mummies tombs lately have you?
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The brain that was stolen from my laboratory was a criminal brain. Only evil will come from it. |
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chee
New Member
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 11:38:14 [Permalink]
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Situation reminds me of a letter from Grannie I read once. She writes:
The other day I went to a religious bookstore and bought one of those Honk If You Love Jesus bumper stickesr. I put it on the back of my car and am I glad I did! What an uplifting experience followed. I was stopped at the light of a busy intersection...just lost in thought about the Lord.
That bumper sticker really worked! I found lots of other people who love Jesus. Why, the guy behind me started to honk like crazy. He must really really love the Lord because pretty soon he leaned out his window and yelled, "Jesus Christ!" as loud as he could. Why, it was like a football game with him shouting, "Go, Jesus Christ, go!"
Everyone else started honking then too, so I leaned out my window and waved and smiled to all those loving people. There must have been some guy from Florida back there because I could hear him yelling something about a sunnybeach, and I saw him waving in that funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. I once asked my two grandsons what that meant. They kind of looked at each other and giggled and told me it was the Hawaiian good luck sign. So I leaned out my window and gave him the good luck sign back.
A couple of other people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and were walking toward me. I bet they wanted to pray, but just then I noticed the light had changed, so I stepped on the gas.
It's a good thing I did, too, because I was the only car to get across the intersection. I looked back at them standing there. I leaned out the window, gave them a big smile, and held up the Hawaiian good luck sign as I drove away. Praise the Lord for such wonderful folk! Love you all.
Grannie
A colder place I've never known, than with someone but yet alone. |
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Xev
Skeptic Friend
USA
329 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 12:52:56 [Permalink]
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I wish I was there, could've legally beat him up. What a horrible 'man'.
I'd press charges if I were you. Throw the book at 'im.
Xev-soon as I get a car, I'm getting a Darwinfish-Bellringer
"If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in
thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which
never yet hurt anybody."- Marcus Aurelius |
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Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 13:53:27 [Permalink]
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quote:
I wish I was there, could've legally beat him up. What a horrible 'man'
And is the 'legality' aspect important in such a situation? I'd get some satisfaction from it myself but doubt there would be much accomplished and certainly little sympathy generated.
My kids still love me. |
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Xev
Skeptic Friend
USA
329 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2002 : 15:49:10 [Permalink]
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quote:
And is the 'legality' aspect important in such a situation?
Yep, claiming 'defense of another'. Of course, one couldn't be excessive...but I despise bullies. And it is one of the best ways to deal with them.
"If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in
thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which
never yet hurt anybody."- Marcus Aurelius |
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