Jesus Can't Drive...

[TexanAvenger]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7800577/?GT1=6542

Mr. Christ’s name on passport, but he faces challenge in W.Va.
The Associated Press
Updated: 7:15 a.m. ET May 10, 2005

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Even Jesus Christ can’t circumvent the rules for getting a driver’s license in West Virginia.

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Attempts to prove his name really is Christ have led the man born as Peter Robert Phillips Jr. through a lengthy legal battle and a recent victory in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

“This all started with him expressing his faith and his respect and love for Jesus Christ,” attorney A.P. Pishevar told The Associated Press. “Now he needs to document it for legal reasons.”

Described by his attorney as a white-haired businessman in his mid-50s, Christ is moving to West Virginia to enjoy a slower lifestyle. He bought property near Lost River, about 100 miles west of Washington, and has a U.S. passport, Social Security card and Washington driver’s license bearing the name Jesus Christ.

Original name
But he still falls short of West Virginia title and license transfer requirements because his Florida birth certificate has his original name on it and he has been unable to obtain an official name change in Washington.

“We just need official documentation that that’s his name,” said Doug Stump, commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. “He will be treated no different than anybody else.”

Christ applied for the legal name change in May 2003, but it was denied by District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Tim Murphy because “taking the name of Jesus Christ may provoke a violent reaction or may significantly offend people.”

In his appeal, Christ’s attorney argued that Phillips had changed his name to Jesus Christ 15 years earlier, and “has been using the name since then without incident.”

The appeals court last month sent the name-change proposal back to the lower court, saying some required hearings in the case had not been held.

Any comment from the man in the middle of this legal tussle?

“Christ is not speaking to the press at this time,” Pishevar said.

So the guy wants to change his name to Jesus Christ... Odd, I'll grant you, but why should it be offensive? The man is not claiming that he is anybody's savior, only that he wishes to express his respect.

I'll grant you further that anybody who wishes to change their name to Jesus Christ knows that something is going to go down because people will find it, if not blatently offensive, distasteful and strange. However, if he does not have an official name change, how exactly is it that the man has a Washington driver's license, passport, and social security card with the name 'Jesus Christ' on it?

In the meantime, however, Jesus can't drive... at least with a West Virginian license.

[TM875]

Maybe he's just from Mexico...

"Je-sus" is a very common Spanish name

[ariekitten]

I'm LMAO over here.

[cellophanedeity]

*laughs* This could be in Humor.

I don't understand why he thinks that by taking Jesus Christ's name as his own would be respectful. Perhaps it's just because I read a lot into chosen names (I'm a lit student, what do you expect?) but when one changes their name it is most commonly because the person would feel better being as their new name. Wouldn't it be disrespectful?

[guthmund]

Jesus Christ as a name was so over at the last millenium.

Now, Buddy Christ, that's hot.

I mean, people wouldn't know if you were joking or not. Is his name really "Buddy Christ?" I'll never tell.

In his appeal, Christ’s attorney argued that Phillips had changed his name to Jesus Christ 15 years earlier, and “has been using the name since then without incident.”

I very seriously doubt that. Maybe not national attention incident, but surely some incident. Some people like to stir up shit. This guy is obviously a shit-stirrer.

[Cuatela]

People like this make me think it shouldn't be legal to change names except in marriage. There is a reason it's offensive. Since his name is "Jesus Christ", people might confuse him with the Jesus Christ that lived 2,000 years ago. Things the modern guy does could possibly hurt the reputation of the original. Obviously I'm biased due to my Christian faith, but the same is still true for anyone who changes their name to one that is famous.