…and this is a 
You can't trust anything anybody writes today!
Category: Kooks
Posted on: April 1, 2008 1:38 PM, by PZ Myers
You never can tell with Jonah Goldberg — everything he writes tends to be so stupid you're left thinking that he must be joking. He's just finished watching that new propaganda movie, Fitna, which portrays some of the worst atrocities of Islam — beheadings and terrorism and rioting and fatwas, etc. — and what does this bring to his feeble mind? Those awful, evil, odious atheists who put Darwin fish on their cars. After all, chopping heads off people is exactly equivalent to putting a bumper sticker on your Volvo.
I find Darwin fish offensive. First, there's the smugness. The undeniable message: Those Jesus fish people are less evolved, less sophisticated than we Darwin fishers.
The hypocrisy is even more glaring. Darwin fish are often stuck next to bumper stickers promoting tolerance or admonishing random motorists that "hate is not a family value." But the whole point of the Darwin fish is intolerance; similar mockery of a cherished symbol would rightly be condemned as bigoted if aimed at blacks or women or, yes, Muslims.
As Christopher Caldwell once observed in the Weekly Standard, Darwin fish flout the agreed-on etiquette of identity politics. "Namely: It's acceptable to assert identity and abhorrent to attack it. A plaque with 'Shalom' written inside a Star of David would hardly attract notice; a plaque with 'Usury' written inside the same symbol would be an outrage."
But the most annoying aspect of the Darwin fish is the false bravado it represents. It's a courageous pose without consequence. Like so much other Christian-baiting in American popular culture, sporting your Darwin fish is a way to speak truth to power on the cheap.
Uh-oh. If Goldberg had his way, I'd be off to Gitmo if he saw the back end of my car. I don't just have a Darwin fish … I've got a T. rex eating a Christian fish.
But basically, his whole argument is ridiculous. Having a statement that proclaims your acceptance of the scientific evidence over the bizarre revelations of an old, data-free book is not bigotry, and it is especially not comparable to religious fanatics murdering people. It is also ironic for a dogmatic conservative like Goldberg to be whining about the "agreed-on etiquette of identity politics" — I've never seen that coming from his side of the political fence. I grew up with "America: Love It or Leave It" bumper stickers yammering at me from the back of cars, and now we've got "Anti-War=Pro-Terrorism", and of course Goldberg's own book, Liberal Fascism. His "agreed-on etiquette" is nothing but a set of rules he applies only to his political opponents and never to his political allies.
So, I'm confused. It's April Fool's day. A fool has written a foolish article. Is it real or is it a joke? I sincerely cannot tell.
If Goldberg really wanted to catch us by surprise, he should have written something intelligent.
Comments
Surely the "joke" of Darwin fish is stale.
Other than that, though, who cares?
The real worry is that poking fun at religion will not be tolerated as, say, poking fun at political figures is. That is what is scary about to much of the Islamic world, and I most certainly don't want to go down that road.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/2kxyc7
Posted by: Glen Davidson | April 1, 2008 1:43 PM
I had my Darwin Fish ripped off my car in Memphis the weekend before Thanksgiving 2006.
Darwin Fish - exercise in free speech.
Christian Response - vandalism of private property.
...sweet. :P
Posted by: JRY | April 1, 2008 1:44 PM
Well, I was going to deny that message — I mean, the actual content of evolutionary biology says that we're all related and that there's no such thing as a Great Chain of Being — but now, he's really making me wonder.
Paging Mr. Goldberg: stop lending credence to your imaginary enemies!
Posted by: Blake Stacey | April 1, 2008 1:44 PM
"I had my Darwin Fish ripped off my car in Memphis the weekend before Thanksgiving 2006.
Darwin Fish - exercise in free speech.
Christian Response - vandalism of private property.
...sweet. :P"
Different time and place, but the same thing happened to me. I found the broken pieces laid out nicely by my driver's side door where I'd be sure to find them.
Love thy neighbor, don't judge, and all that.
Posted by: JasonK | April 1, 2008 1:49 PM
The most troubling thing in his article is this:
I don't see why criticizing religion is any different from criticizing political affiliation. To me it's the same as if he'd said a person would be rightly condemned for the bigotry of mocking Republican or Green party members. Religion should not need a protective shield, and criticism of it is not a moral equivalent of racism or sexism. (Of course, try explaining this to the guy who had to desperately redefine fascism in order to call his political opponents fascists.)
Posted by: Ed | April 1, 2008 1:49 PM
That's why I've found April Fool's Day depressing for the last couple of years: I'm continuously laughing, then realizing that no, they really mean that.
Posted by: chancelikely | April 1, 2008 1:51 PM
"But the whole point of the Darwin fish is intolerance"
No, the whole point is scientific accuracy, and if that just so happens to displace ancient nonsense, so much the better.
Would he be happier if we depicted anatomically-correct fishapods on the backs of our cars? I'm sure many would be happy to replace the old iconic fish with a realistic Tiktaalik roseae. Would he then argue that the fossils themselves are insulting and intolerant to his religion?
Posted by: Jason Failes | April 1, 2008 1:52 PM
So, I guess that sporting a Jesus fish is a cheap way to show your devotion to Christ, an act which should also be a "pose without consequence"?
Think before you speak, Jonah.
(I had a Darwin fish on my car in high school. It got ripped off more than once. Oddly enough, it also made me a better driver: I kept thinking, "Now I have to set a good example. . . .")
Posted by: Blake Stacey | April 1, 2008 1:53 PM
Interesting variation:
I'd like Goldberg to see that. Probably his mind would break down on the spot.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/2kxyc7
Posted by: Glen Davidson | April 1, 2008 1:53 PM
I've seen students rant about Darwin fish in the campus newspaper. Like most of them even know the real origin of the fish (ICTHYS) graffiti in the first place.
Posted by: jeh | April 1, 2008 1:56 PM
But the most annoying aspect of the Darwin fish is the false bravado it represents. It's a courageous pose without consequence.
Of the people I know with Darwin fish, more than half have had their cars vandalized as a result. I somehow doubt the statistics are similar for Jesus fish.
Posted by: Feshy | April 1, 2008 1:56 PM
The beginning of this post looks a little mangled; here's a link to Goldberg's original dreck.
Posted by: Blake Stacey | April 1, 2008 1:57 PM
I've always hated that tool. The "G files" or whatever he calls his stupid fucking column. He makes Dinesh look like Craig Venter.
Posted by: danley | April 1, 2008 2:00 PM
". . . the agreed-on etiquette of identity politics."
I count at least three unwarranted assumptions in this phrase alone.
Posted by: Faithful Reader | April 1, 2008 2:03 PM
...sporting your Darwin fish is a way to speak truth to power on the cheap.
I am a native English speaker and I think reasonably intelligent, but I can not figure out what this means. Is he saying evolution is the truth and Christianity is the power? Is this some idiomatic phrase I never heard of, is "speak truth to power" a euphemism for "I fart in your general direction"[with a ridiculous french accent]?
Posted by: SteveM | April 1, 2008 2:04 PM
I saw a Darwin fish on a car for the first time in the UK in York today, they also had a pirate fish *waves madly to driver of said small dark blue car incase they are a reader here!*
We have had a pirate fish on our car for a while now, our kids love it :)
Posted by: Hayley | April 1, 2008 2:05 PM
I have the fish being eaten by a Tyrannosaurus on my car and it has stayed put for a long time. It usually gets a good laugh. Actually someone commented to me the other day that they believe in both. (They're halfway there!)
Posted by: Recovering Catholic | April 1, 2008 2:06 PM
When I got my first car back in college I was lectured by a Catholic friend about the "intolerance" it represented. I eventually convinced her that for me it wasn't about being anti-Christian, but rather about being pro-science in a culture where ignorance is promoted. Being a science major herself she came to agree with me. But I need not have felt too smug about that victory, because in grad school I had some good samaritans smash in my brake lights and steal the Darwin fish.
Needless to say, I replaced the brake lights and the fish and every car I've had since then has proudly worn a Darwin fish. I know which side the intolerance is on, Mr. Goldberg, and I will not give in to it.
Posted by: Diego | April 1, 2008 2:06 PM
Jonah Goldberg is an amusing figure. He seems to dissatisfied with simply being another yammering, well-paid, high-status idiot in the punditocracy and actually wants to prove that he's some kind of intellectual. This ambition of his, though futile, continues to produce many amusing screeds. This is only the latest example.
Posted by: Tyler DiPietro | April 1, 2008 2:07 PM
Or perhaps it's just another idiot writer latching onto a well-worn phrase without giving sufficient consideration to how it functions in the context they've used it.
Posted by: H.H. | April 1, 2008 2:09 PM
My favorite fish thing on the back of a car didn't have Jesus or IXOYE (at least the Greek equivalent) or even Darwin. It said, "Gefilte".
Posted by: Vernon Balbert | April 1, 2008 2:09 PM
The fact that the catalog that sells Darwin fish also sells replacement feet for the Darwin fish says it all.
Posted by: Rey Fox | April 1, 2008 2:11 PM
Posted by: Curt Cameron | April 1, 2008 2:12 PM
"Speaking truth to power" is hilariously ironic, given the origin is Quaker and doesn't mean what he seems to think it means. Well, I'm not sure what he thinks it means, but it obviously doesn't mean anything that fits with his attitudes. A">http://www.quaker.org/sttp.html>A link.
Posted by: MyaR | April 1, 2008 2:13 PM
He was offended by a Darwin fish. So the person who had the symbol on their car 'intended' to offend him.
Case closed - Court finds for Plaintiff - Defendant remanded to custody of the P.C. police to await sentencing - Court adjourned - All Rise.
- Judge Goldberg has left the courtroom
Posted by: dug.inn | April 1, 2008 2:13 PM
I don't have a Darwin fish on my car because I think it looks too much like a Christian symbol. It's like saying I am a Christian who accepts evolution. It is a Christian symbol after all, even if it is a modified one.
Posted by: Gary F | April 1, 2008 2:14 PM
If I may quote Southpark: " Just because you tolerate it doesn't mean you have to like it!"
And, again if I may, Bette Midler: "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke."
Posted by: Sarcastro | April 1, 2008 2:14 PM
My car had a FSM on the back until it showed up on my front steps. I had just assumed it fell off and a neighbor knew it was mine so they put it on my steps. But mayeb I'm wrong and it was taken off on purpose.
I really thought it didn't stay on the car because it didn't have the power of Jesus to hold it there.
Posted by: zeekster | April 1, 2008 2:14 PM
Where can I get the T rex eating the fish? On the other hand wouldn't a Spinosaurus be more accurate?
Posted by: jck | April 1, 2008 2:16 PM
Geez, did he have to take special treatments to get skin that thin, or is it genetic?
Posted by: Eamon Knight | April 1, 2008 2:17 PM
Creationists celebrate the reverse version of April Fool's Day, where you say something that isn't nonsense. In this case, it's "Christian-baiting in American popular culture [...] is a way to speak truth to power [...]".
The other 364 days of the year, Creationists stick with the story that they're a powerless, persecuted minority who are in sole possession of the truth.
Posted by: chaos_engineer | April 1, 2008 2:19 PM
#13 danley wrote
He makes Dinesh look like Craig Venter.
Roffle. Win.
Posted by: J | April 1, 2008 2:23 PM
Wow, the guy's so hateful he can read all that into Darwin fish and some bumper stickers.
Would it be too hateful if I called him a dick, even if I mean it in a blaise way?
Posted by: Ryan F Stello | April 1, 2008 2:24 PM
He is right. My Darwin fish makes me smug. I always get smug when I know I'm right.
Posted by: ddr | April 1, 2008 2:24 PM
TO #29: This came up on a search for the T-rex eating the fish: http://yque.com/ttyeaficarem.html
Posted by: Recovering Catholic | April 1, 2008 2:25 PM
That's the way this scumbag Goldberg operates. He equates everything liberal (or everything he doesn't like) as fascist (see his pathetic attempt at revisionist history, Liberal Fascism). He hates 'Darwinists', so they are automatically equivalent to Islamic extremists. It's tarring with the same brush at its crudest and most infantile.
Posted by: Mike Nilsen | April 1, 2008 2:26 PM
I proudly display a "Science" fish on the back of my car -- its fins have evolved to the point where they look like the fins of a rocket. I also have a FSM on the other side, to balance it.
And yes, I expect that they will be vandalized. That's why I bought two of each. =)
If only Christians followed the teachings of Jesus. *sigh*
-Buxley
Posted by: Buxley | April 1, 2008 2:26 PM
The ones that I can't stand are the little Jeeebus fish 'swimming' behind the big one. They not only proudly announce how many units the owners have pumped out, but also the fact that they will be indoctrinated to become little jesus muppets, too.
Posted by: ennui | April 1, 2008 2:27 PM
Where can I get the T rex eating the fish?
evolvefish.com
Posted by: Brad | April 1, 2008 2:27 PM
A Christian once told me that my Darwin fish was religious bigotry, in that it mocked Christianity. I told her no -- it was making fun of creationism, and 'creationism is a science theory -- right? It's not about religion."
A creationist, she had to agree. She then had to agree that no, there was nothing bigoted about disagreeing with and making fun of science theories.
(My minivan sports a Darwin fish, an Evolve fish, and a Flying Spaghetti Monster in the middle.)
Posted by: Sastra | April 1, 2008 2:27 PM
The Darwin Fish is not meant to be offensive. Like the Christian fish it is merely meant to display the driver's beliefs (in the Darwin fish case a belief in the scientific method, unbiased observation, and cold hard evidence). The one that Goldberg should really be pissed about is the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
_ _(o)_(o)_ _
._\`:_ F S M _:' \_,
/ (`---'\ `-.
,-` _) (_,
Posted by: Bill | April 1, 2008 2:28 PM
On the first part, Goldberg accepts evolution, and sometimes faults creationism (if none too convincingly--note that he knows his readers):
Which is why although I do disagree with him, and with D'Souza, I certainly wouldn't aim most of my shots at those guys.
Nevertheless, we must maintain our right to blaspheme and to criticize any idea that is out there. In truth, I don't know that I would sport a Darwin fish on my car (if I cared enough to decorate it at all--it's close to junking time), because I personally share some of his opinions about the fish. In the larger scheme of things, however, this is about the freedom to say anything about ideas and concepts, and not primarily about discrimination against people. The fact that some take personal offense does not change the situation that this is primarily a matter of de facto, as well as de jure, free speech.
Anyhow, this is all a bit late. By now the Darwin fish vs. Jesus fish wars are getting old, and now we have Sushi (should be sashami, but whatever) fish, flying saucer fish, and a host of others. The joke has moved on, and so should Goldberg.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/2kxyc7
Posted by: Glen Davidson | April 1, 2008 2:28 PM
I live in the "Bible belt" and have had a Darwin fish tag on my truck for about 5 years. The only comment I ever received was one of approval.
Posted by: DM | April 1, 2008 2:30 PM
You know what emblem you need? A big octopus eating a christian fish. How has that not been invented yet??
Posted by: beth | April 1, 2008 2:32 PM
I have no symbols on my car, as the poor thing is incapable of defending itself from vandalism-minded religionists while it's parked alone. Maybe I'll add some auto-defense capabilities later.
However, I'm happy to express my views verbally (or, say, on t-shirts) so that if someone has a problem with my opinion, they can tell me to my face.
Posted by: Mike Nilsen | April 1, 2008 2:34 PM
I most strenuously disagree with his "pose without consequence" jibe: oh sure, the rust on my '86 Camry may be the only outward manifestation my support for oxidation, but my car's steadfast refusal to start at any time during the months of October through April shows I will not take global warming sitting down (well, only because the bus is so crowded there're no seats available.)
But more to the point: if the Christians are so upset about their symbol being appropriated by evolutionists, they shouldn't have picked something that evolved.
Then again, perhaps the fish is the perfect symbol of Christianity: if anything, the story of the loaves and the fishes from which the ΙΧΘΥΣ is said to be born shows us that, like so many other aspects of the religion based on him, Jesus didn't create anything; he only copied what was already there.
Posted by: Brownian, OM | April 1, 2008 2:34 PM
Oops, "sashimi."
Never had the stuff, as a matter of fact.
Glen D
http://tinyurl.com/2kxyc7
Posted by: Glen Davidson | April 1, 2008 2:34 PM
Well, the Darwin fish is a direct parody of the ichthys symbol, so I can see how Christians would take offense. But it goes both ways.
Down here in the South (Pensacola repruhsent! Hovind 4 life!) you see a bunch of the stickers with the "TRUTH" fish eating the Darwin fish. That never fails to creep me the hell out.
I wonder what Jonah thinks of those.
Posted by: Joe V. | April 1, 2008 2:35 PM
Um ... Goldberg doesn't like smugness?
The man who refuses to even discuss the massive holes in his moronic little book about Der Liberalfaschisticuffs but rather sits back and says "There! I made it-so it's proof that my opinion is true!"--That guy doesn't enjoy smugness?
Thinks: Must not spew milk from my nose!
I guess when you stare into the mirror you dislike it when your reflection laughs at you.
He doesn't mention how he feels about those Jesus fish--those drivers always seem pretty smug to me, nor about the myriad of "In case of rapture this vehicle will be unoccupied" stickers.
So few of them add the rest:
"... It will them plow into a school bus, killing 12 children.
God is love."
Posted by: Metro | April 1, 2008 2:35 PM
Damn, PZ, a T. rex eating a Jesus fish? Way cool. They didn't sell those when I bought my Darwin fish, which is behind a Jesus fish, um -- wrestling. Yeah, that's it, they're wrestling! It's my second one; I prefer to think that the first one fell off instead of someone in Mesa removing it.
Posted by: Slaughter | April 1, 2008 2:37 PM
Just a few days ago, I happened to be behind a person with a bumper sticker that read "What part of 'Thou shalt not kill' don't you understand?" - God.
Right next to this was an NRA sticker (National Rifle Association, for the uninitiated). I found that amusing.
JC
Posted by: JackC | April 1, 2008 2:40 PM
As silly as Goldberg's ranting about the Darwin fish is, I found his closing paragraph to be the most insulting.
Yes, I do think that people who honor facts and evidence over that of faith are superior. I will make no apologies for that. But one does not have to evolve to this, all one needs to do is to trust their own and other people intelligence over their own innate fears.
But making the claim that we do not show the same contempt for Islam, in what world does Jonah Goldberg life in? Most of us are fortunate enough to not have to live in those societies. But it does not mean we give it a free ride.
Oh, wait. Goldberg is talking to those people who believe that atheists have a soft spot for Islam.
On a different tangent, where can someone get a bumper sticker of a T. Rex eating a coconut?
Posted by: Janine, ID | April 1, 2008 2:44 PM
"If Goldberg really wanted to catch us by surprise, he should have written something intelligent."
---Yeah, like that's an available option.
Posted by: Milo Johnson | April 1, 2008 2:45 PM
One of the first things I did when I bough my most recent used car was go out and remove the fish emblem with a knife and "Goo-be-gone". My fundie mother-in-law saw, but made no comment.
I haven't replaced it yet. Do they make a metallic red "A"? I might pair that with a Happy Human or a Randi fish.
Posted by: Ranson | April 1, 2008 2:46 PM
My last car had a "Got was my co-pilot, but we crashed in the mountains and I had to eat him" bumper sticker.
That one stayed on. My gay and pro-choice ones usually got vandalized. Yay, Mankato.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | April 1, 2008 2:46 PM
I'm curious - if you believe in God, what does ripping Darwin Fish off cars show? I would figure that a supernatural being would be more than competent to deal with criticism and wouldn't need your help, let alone help that contradicts what you claim to believe and what you've been told explicitly to do. If you believe in God, and you take a Darwin Fish off of someone's car, how does showing yourself to be a small-minded bully and hypocrite with a penchant for vandalism help the cause of God, your religion, or yourself?
Another problem: if you can't even deal with the criticism of a Darwin Fish (which really only criticizes biblical literalism and its jerry-rigged conflict with science), how would you actually deal with the treatment that Christians endured in the past (and if your reading of Revelations is accurate, will endure in the future)?
Posted by: Hap | April 1, 2008 2:50 PM
I am surprised that Goldberg didn't go further and attack the UFO fish people. I have seen many, many permutations of the fish symbol and the Darwin fish is probably the least-offensive in the bunch.
The ones I find truly offensive, however, are the ones with the word "TRUTH" in the body of a fish that is eating a smaller Darwin fish. In fact, the first time I saw one I almost drove off the road for laughing so hard.
Posted by: Jonathon | April 1, 2008 2:51 PM
"Well if you think that's offensive, check this out!"
Posted by: Randal | April 1, 2008 2:51 PM
Seems I'm not the only one to have my Darwin fish attacked--though it was a half-holy attempt as the Perps for Christ managed only to snap off the tail.
The nth Commandment: You Shall break asunder your neighbors Darwin Fish in the name of your God.
Posted by: caynazzo | April 1, 2008 2:53 PM
An acquaintance of mine -- a postdoc in a Biology department, no less -- was instructed to take a Darwin fish poster off her office door, as it was ostensibly offensive to Christians.
Posted by: Gerard Harbison | April 1, 2008 2:55 PM
What is really arrogant is the Jesus fish with the words "Truth" inside, and it is eating a Darwin fish. As if "Truth" is something simply revealed in an ancient book and taken for granted. As opposed to learning what truth is through observation and hypothesis testing, and peer review. Which is really more arrogant?
Posted by: Sheldon | April 1, 2008 2:57 PM
One more thing... PZ you should know that a fatwa is a generic term for a ruling on Islamic law issued by a cleric or scholar. While most of us in the West became familiar with the word when Ayatollah Khomeni issued his famous fatwa calling for the death of Rushdie, the word fatwa is not exclusive to such proclamations.
For example, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who has been the leader of Masjid al-Farah in New York City since 1983 (and is located quite close to the Twin Towers site that was attacked on 9/11) issued a fatwa that permitted Muslims in the United States to fight in the war with the Taliban and with Al Qaeda.
In short, there is nothing inherently evil or bad in fatwas. Now, beheadings, terrorism, riots, etc. are another story.
Posted by: Jonathon | April 1, 2008 2:57 PM
Anybody remember a televised debate on PBS way back about 10 years ago, at the dawn of the ID movement? It was before I was engaged in the culture war enough to know the participants, though I'm sure I'd recognize them now. (pretty sure Genie Scott was on the pro-science panel)
Anyway, I remember thinking at the time that the pro-science people caved to some pretty basic sophistry from the creos. Case in point: in defense of his equation of evolution and atheism, one of the creationists triumphantly produced a Darwin fish. And I thought at the time, dude, ever seen "Dog is my co-pilot"? I guess dog ownership should be equated with atheism, too.
Posted by: CJO | April 1, 2008 2:58 PM
I agree, Janine, this parting shot really made my head spin. So, what, Christianity is too 'nice' for criticism? It's ok to mock any wacky old faith we want as long as it isn't the one Jonah Goldberg believes in? What tripe. It's hard to imagine that even he is so out of touch that he doesn't realize that much of the so called 'new atheism' has actually been galvanized by frank criticism of Islam. Dawkins and Harris have been particularly vocal on the subject.
WANT!
Posted by: DanioPhD | April 1, 2008 2:59 PM
*scratches head* Why does this guy think speaking truth to power on the cheap is a bad thing?
Speaking truth to power is good, right? And if it's on the cheap, so much the better.
Posted by: Tim | April 1, 2008 2:59 PM
Hey! I was looking for some way to "speak truth to power on the cheap."
Thanks, Jonah!
Posted by: CalGeorge | April 1, 2008 2:59 PM
"That's the way this scumbag Goldberg operates. He equates everything liberal (or everything he doesn't like) as fascist (see his pathetic attempt at revisionist history, Liberal Fascism)."
Perhaps we should rename Godwin's Law in his (dis)honor.
Posted by: jdb | April 1, 2008 3:02 PM
I see several Darwin fish in the church parking lot-most Catholics are usually OK with evolution. I would like it better without the word Darwin-how about Tikaalik?
Posted by: Ruth | April 1, 2008 3:07 PM
Another thing worth pointing out is that the Darwin fish didn't just come out of nowhere. The Jesus fish might not be terribly smug in itself, but it is often seen next to bumper stickers saying things like "In case of Rapture this vehicle will be unoccupied" or "Eternity: smoking or non-smoking?" I've always taken the Darwin fish to be a response to that kind of nonsense. The Jesus fish says "I'm better than you because I'm a Christian," and the Darwin fish says "No you're not."
Posted by: Stephen Stralka | April 1, 2008 3:07 PM
Somehow I think the extra feet are so you can add them to Xtian fish, not replace Darwin fish feet that have been vandalized. Not that I approve of that, of course.
Posted by: idahogie | April 1, 2008 3:09 PM
I too have the 'Science' fish on my car (the one with rocket fins). However, I also have one of a christian fish being mounted and f**ked by a fish with feet and the word 'Evolution' inside of it. I even saw another person driving around with one of those. I once had a fish ripped off of my car so the "mounted" fish was my response. When I ordered the replacment and noted that my last fish was ripped off, the good folks at EvolveFISH.com provided me with a free 'insurance policy'. Normally they cost $5 so that was cool. If either of my fish are vandalized I can contact them with the policy number and they'll send me a free replacement.
"EvolveFish.com - Defending your right to mock Teh Stoopid"
Posted by: NeoGothic | April 1, 2008 3:10 PM
Posted on another thread but it belongs here.
So how often do Darwin Fishes get vandalized? Seems like pretty often.
Xians don't own the fish symbol. One of the triumphs of our ancestors was the conquest of the land by souped up fish.
Speaking of which, apparently some fundies hearing voices in their head, wander around looking for Darwin Fish to steal. A recent police report sent to me by a friend who lives in a non fundie city.
Almost worth it to stake out a Darwin Fish car with a camera and video recorder to catch some of these fundie vandals.
Posted by: raven | April 1, 2008 3:14 PM
Where will it end?
Posted by: J | April 1, 2008 3:15 PM
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
I've often wondered how our modern Bible-thumpers are able to reconcile this teaching with all of their sanctimonious displays.
Oh, right, they don't really care what Jesus said. Just put a sticker on your care and you're Saved.
Posted by: Stephen Stralka | April 1, 2008 3:18 PM
"Somehow I think the extra feet are so you can add them to Xtian fish, not replace Darwin fish feet that have been vandalized."
Would it be vandalism to add accessories to Xian fish? And how long do you think it would take for car owners to notice? I'm now having visions of wandering through a church parking lot on a prayer meeting evening.
Posted by: Nan | April 1, 2008 3:20 PM
No person has the right to not be offended.
Posted by: Alex | April 1, 2008 3:23 PM
Just to voice the other side of the story: I drive around with the back end of my car decorated with a big red A, my T-rex eating a fish, bumper stickers protesting Bush and the war, and others advocating evolution education...and I often get people honking their horns at me and giving me a thumbs-up sign as they pass me.
Posted by: PZ Myers | April 1, 2008 3:25 PM
They're probably looking at your cute wife PZ. Get over yourself.
Posted by: Alex | April 1, 2008 3:26 PM
We have the fossils, we win!
Posted by: Plummet | April 1, 2008 3:28 PM
Well, I'm generally against vandalism, but I do wish someone made harmless little magnetic Darwin fish feet so I could help a few ICTHYS evolve.
Posted by: Scote | April 1, 2008 3:28 PM
I may have to get the T-Rex fish. It would look great next to the Cthulhu-fish that currently adorns my bumper (If I'm gonna worship an imaginary supreme being then by gum he's gonna be a scary one). I did get a kick out of the perplexed looks it received last time I took the car to the wash. Thankfully I haven't been vandalized. I also have visions of adding darwin -feet to the Xian fish but those feet are so pricey for widespread use...
Posted by: Patrick | April 1, 2008 3:31 PM
I've got a T. rex eating a Christian fish.
But I thought they ate fruits and nuts ...
Posted by: wheatdogg | April 1, 2008 3:32 PM
The important question is who the heck is Jonah Goldberg? ;^)
Posted by: mena | April 1, 2008 3:33 PM
"I've got a T. rex eating a Christian fish.
But I thought they ate fruits and nuts ..."
...er, as did lions, tigers, sharks and, dare I say it, cephalopods, before the fall. Watching the creationist museum tour was like watching Calvin's Dad describe how the world used to be black and white...
OT:
So, biblically speaking, did Adam have nipples and a reproductive organ before god created woman to be his companion? I think some of those paintings may be a little off...I just can't think of an "intelligent designer" version of why men have nipples, especially before women and babies were invented...
Posted by: scote | April 1, 2008 3:39 PM
"...I just can't think of an "intelligent designer" version of why men have nipples,..."
Two words: Hot Wax.
Posted by: Alex | April 1, 2008 3:43 PM
Going to high school in Kansas I made sure my first car had its appropriate Evolve fish on the trunk. It never got torn off. However, I did get some rude remarks about my bumper sticker stating that "God is too big to fit in one religion." I suppose my message of tolerance failed -_-.
Posted by: Nerdette | April 1, 2008 3:46 PM
Letting other people decide what your opinions are and how you should act is one of the greatest evils of all. At least in my book. The Book of Stogoe, that's the book for me.
Posted by: stogoe | April 1, 2008 3:48 PM
I don't currently own a car, but I drew a Darwin fish on my MetroCard. Anyways, my mockery is aimed squarely at cetaceans.
In your face, footiless things! No, that's a "fin". Nice try.
::::running through the room::::
"We're more evolved! We're more evolved!
We're more complex! Irreduci- oh, hey... waitaminute...
Posted by: Pete | April 1, 2008 3:48 PM
So what did sharks eat before teh fall?
Posted by: blf | April 1, 2008 3:51 PM
If I may borrow Jonah's Hat of Mind Reading for a moment, I shall try to divine the true message encoded in the text. Thank you, Jonah. Ah yes, I think I see the true message now. Is it that you shouldn't do that, you're the equivalent of an anti-Semite for doing that, and anyway you're doing it wrong; do it to the Muslims or GTFO? No, it's still hazy. Wait, I think I see it now. It looks a little like "In the true spirit of a meritocracy I get paid more than most people for si