9/28/07
MADISON COUNTY (ALABAMA) EMPLOYEES DISRESPECTFUL TO ATHEIST SEEKING PERSONALIZED TAG
Today I went to the Madison County Satellite Office located in Meridianville, Alabama in the Flint River Crossing Shopping Center along US-231.
After standing in line for two hours I approached the desk to a very friendly staff, who up to that point had been joking with the customers standing in line. I told the worker that I wanted a regular renewal on my wife’s car and a personalized tag on my car. She asked me to write the tag that I wanted on my renewal form along with the type of tag I wanted it on. I wrote “ATHEIST” and “regular tag.”
I handed the renewal form to the worker who then asked pleasantly, “Is that an “I” or a one?” I responded that it was an “I.”
She then went to the computer and checked the availability with the Alabama Department of Revenue and advised me that “ATHEIST” was already taken. I then asked her to change the “I” to a one.
The worker’s demeanor changed drastically. After putting the new tag into the computer she repositioned the screen so her co-worker could see it. The co-worker exclaimed, “Oh no!” The worker then mumbled under her breath and the co-worker said, “He shouldn’t get it.” The worker then replied, “No choice, it’s that freedom of religion.” The co-worker said something else that I did not hear and the worker replied, “Yeah, I’m going to pray to God before I write it.”
She then came back over to the counter with her new angered demeanor. She never looked at us and did not say anything to us at all until it was time to collect the money. She scowled and made an angry face when writing “ATHE1ST” on the Alabama Sixty Day Temporary Tag. When she printed my new registration form she showed it to another co-worker who rolled her eyes.
After getting my receipt I said, “Thank you very much. Have a great day.” The worker did not reply and only scowled. I can only imagine what was said in that office after my wife and I left.
The staff was completely disrespectful, unprofessional, and made inappropriate statements about a customer. Their religious beliefs should in no way reflect upon their treatment of customers. It does not matter if I requested “ATHEIST,” “VISHNU,” “ZEUS,” “BUDDHA,” or “WICCAN.”
Their treatment of my wife and I made us feel like second class citizens. We were frowned upon, scoffed at, made fun of, mistreated, disrespected, and otherwise treated unprofessionally.
I think it is appropriate that my wife and I receive an apology from the Madison County License Director as well as the employees in that office. It is equally appropriate that the employees in that office, at a minimum, receive a letter of reprimand.
This kind of behavior by Madison County employees, directly tied to the Alabama Department of Revenue, is a discredit to Madison County and its employees and the state of Alabama. The mission statement of the Alabama Department of Revenue states in part, “…in an equitable, courteous, and professional manner…”
License Director Mark Craig’s biography on the Madison County Web Page states in part, “priorities are and will be to continue an open door policy, accountability, equality, and providing the very best services to the people of Madison County.”
I will be writing a letter to Cynthia Young, the acting Commissioner of Revenue, and Mark Craig, the Madison County License Director.
butchbailey said,
September 28, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Good luck. Let us know if you get a satisfactory response.
nalrant said,
September 28, 2007 at 8:44 pm
I will!
Mens Invicta Manet said,
November 8, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Could I ask what would possibly possess you to get a license plate that says “ATHEIST” (or ATHE1ST for that matter) in the first place? Yeah, they were definitely scoffing at your choice in beliefs and that is wrong, but it should be said that to rub your belief in other people’s face makes you just as bad as the assumable Christians you’re speaking out against.
nalrant said,
November 12, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Hardly! Getting “ATHE1ST” on my license plate is no different than anyone else expressing their opinion on their license plate, bumper stickers, or t-shirt. The difference is that I do not proselytize, I do not want a theocracy, and I don’t beat up Christians because they disagree with me. I don’t sit behind a Jesus car and shake my head in contempt and disdain because it is that driver’s right to have the Jesus fish and the God is My Co-Pilot bumper sticker. What possessed me to get the license plate in the first place was my desire to make atheism less “vile” and to make it more commonplace. The way to eradicate prejudice and bigotry is through education and making the topic more commonplace.
mcurri said,
December 5, 2007 at 10:54 am
I have to disagree that getting “ATHE1ST” on your license plate is rubbing other people’s faces in your beliefs. It’s just a license plate! I look at personalized plates as something that let’s you know a little bit about the driver of the car without meeting them. I feel like it’s your choice to get whatever you want on your license plate. Not everyone is going to agree with everything written on bumper stickers, license plates, etc. Whether you agree or not, everyone has the right to believe as they choose!
guanshi said,
December 28, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Christians missionaries proselytize unabashedly, and the only way atheists have a chance to compete in the marketplace of ideas is to try to spread their own beliefs. Putting an atheist-themed license plate on your car is a minor gesture compared to threatening those who disagree with your religious beliefs with eternal damnation.
http://www.positivethought.org
curtismchale said,
January 4, 2008 at 9:47 pm
That sucks that they treated you that way, seemingly n he name of religion. I apologize. If I want a religious slogan on my plate then there is no reason that anyone else can’t get a slogan for their belief. Barring of course the regular things about swearing…
Mens Invicta Manet said,
January 19, 2008 at 5:04 pm
@mcurri – Yes, it does teach me something about the driver without meeting them. It teaches me that they define themselves by their lack of religion and therefore more than likely lack the redeeming qualities that enable normal people to not try to be defined in single words or ideas to people they will most likely never meet.
So really it just teaches me I never want to meet them.
Mens Invicta Manet said,
January 19, 2008 at 5:06 pm
It’s an argument used against Christians all the time…. when you define yourself by your faith, you basically give up your individuality and feed the horde. Think atheism is any different?
The idea that every Christian out there is pushing their faith on every non-Christian is ridiculous. Really, the majority stay quiet and just believe what they believe.
nalrant said,
January 20, 2008 at 9:22 am
“So really it just teaches me I never want to meet them.”
How sad that you would discriminate so wantonly. If your license plate said “CHRIST” on it, it would not stop me from wanting to meet you.
I guess I don’t share your religious hostility.
“The idea that every Christian out there is pushing their faith on every non-Christian is ridiculous.”
And all my instances of harassment and discrimination based on my atheism are what? Trying to put creationism into the science classroom? Trying to amend the Constitution for the Christian-based idea of anti-homosexuality? Trying to enforce Blue Laws? Clearly you are not up to speed on the separation battles and the actions of dominionists and reconstructionists.
“Really, the majority stay quiet and just believe what they believe”
I agree, but that is also the problem. The majority are not standing up to the vocal minority that are trying to push Christianity onto the population by turning government into a Christian tool, amend the Constitution to include Christianity, turn American into a theocracy, etc.
The complacency of the majority of Christians empowers the theocratic leanings of the vocal minority.
Mens Invicta Manet said,
January 20, 2008 at 10:55 pm
“How sad that you would discriminate so wantonly. If your license plate said “CHRIST” on it, it would not stop me from wanting to meet you.
I guess I don’t share your religious hostility.”
What a fool you are, to completely disregard the point of my statement. My hostility has nothing to do with religious choice, but with the choice to define yourself as a human by your religious opinion.
And yes, Atheists are standing up, and are being vocal, and are pushing back the tide of Christianity-in-government that really doesn’t belong.
Creationism truly doesn’t belong in the classroom, but to be technical, neither does the theory of evolution since it is, as mentioned, a theory; one that has no concrete evidence behind it as of yet.
Any instances of harassment and discrimination based on your beliefs (or lack of beliefs) are not caused by Christianity… they never have been, and never will be. Christianity isn’t pushy, and it isn’t angry, and it isn’t hateful. Incompetent people are to blame… people who take their opinions and feel the need to shove them in everyone’s face.
People like you.
nalrant said,
January 22, 2008 at 5:02 pm
“My hostility has nothing to do with religious choice, but with the choice to define yourself as a human by your religious opinion.”
While that is not what I am doing, at least you admit you are hostile.
“Creationism truly doesn’t belong in the classroom, but to be technical, neither does the theory of evolution since it is, as mentioned, a theory; one that has no concrete evidence behind it as of yet.”
Yeah, like the Theory of Gravity, the Theory of Relativity, and all those other scientific theories. Clearly you are ignorant of the scientific process and evolution. I am not going to get into that with you, as debating evolution with someone like you is like debating the existence of Santa Claus with a five-year-old.
“Any instances of harassment and discrimination based on your beliefs (or lack of beliefs) are not caused by Christianity… they never have been, and never will be.”
Right. Gee, I can’t believe I didn’t see that before. Thanks for enlightening me to my false ideas that Christians were pushy and that attempts to put creationism into the classroom isn’t pushy at all, or that attempts to modify the constitution to prevent gays from getting married isn’t pushy at all.
“Christianity isn’t pushy, and it isn’t angry, and it isn’t hateful. Incompetent people are to blame… people who take their opinions and feel the need to shove them in everyone’s face.”
You’re more full of cow crap than a 5,000 square acre stockyard.
Mens Invicta Manet said,
January 29, 2008 at 8:50 pm
“While that is not what I am doing”
It’s exactly what you’re doing, that is perfectly clear and anyone can see it. There is no point in pretending.
—–
“Yeah, like the Theory of Gravity, the Theory of Relativity, and all those other scientific theories. Clearly you are ignorant of the scientific process and evolution. I am not going to get into that with you, as debating evolution with someone like you is like debating the existence of Santa Claus with a five-year-old.”
Ah the age-old hide-all for unintelligent debaters. “You’re dumb so it isn’t worth my time to explain my reasoning.” Yes, I’m sure that would work if you had in any way shown that you knew what you were talking about, but instead you use this cop-out after comparing an incomplete and completely unproven theory against such proven scientific stables as gravity and relativity. The theory of evolution has never, even once, been given proper evidence to scientifically prove itself. Gravity and Relativity have both been proven countless times. Comparing them is a childish move, one I should have expected from the likes of you.
—–
“Right. Gee, I can’t believe I didn’t see that before. Thanks for enlightening me to my false ideas that Christians were pushy and that attempts to put creationism into the classroom isn’t pushy at all, or that attempts to modify the constitution to prevent gays from getting married isn’t pushy at all.”
That line of thinking is exactly the point. Christianity doesn’t make someone hateful or pushy. Incompetence does, and the fact that you’re doing exactly what you call those people out for is such an unnatural ignorance for logic I can’t understand how you could even pretend to think that way.
—–
“You’re more full of cow crap than a 5,000 square acre stockyard.”
Congratulations on pulling up a line from an inbred trucker from Alabama. Is this where you get your credentials?
wondon said,
February 3, 2008 at 11:25 am
Writing as a non-American, I find this story absolutely hilarious on many levels and rather worrying on others. Firstly that someone would think of getting a personalised numberplate advertising that they are an atheist, paying money and then standing in line for 2 hours (!) to do so. Speaking as a fellow Athe1st (although clearly one less militant than yourself), all I can say is that I salute your indefatigability.
The second hilarious thing is that it seems that the worker presumably didn’t know what the word ‘atheist’ meant until her co-worker advised her, otherwise why did her attitude change so drastically when you asked for 1 instead of i?
The worrying thing is that you feel you have to do this at all in order to make a political statement against atheism being seen as ‘vile’. I find the role of Christian extremism in American politics and society pretty disturbing – particularly the insidious anti-evolution ‘intelligent design’ agenda and the popularity of those weird ‘left-behind’ novels. As a child I was subject to a kind of evangelical brainwashing (which doesn’t appear to have left permanent damage) but makes me vary wary when I see its manifestation creeping across other countries. I know that not all Christians are fundamentalists (some of my best friends are Christians) nevertheless it is a relatively fruitless exercise to debate with people who only argue on their own terms and with reference to their own interpretation of their own scriptures.
It seems to me that education is the best way to combat the sort of ignorance which leads people to blind belief and prejudice. However, I’m not convinced that education through registration plate is the most effective strategy. Not least because maybe the God-botherers might get a kick out of bashing into your vehicle as a way of combatting the influence of Satan on the streets.
Would love to know about the complaint letter – did you ever get round to sending it and if so have you got a response yet?
Thinking Ape said,
February 19, 2008 at 2:32 am
Although their behaviour was uncalled for, you have to admit, if you were in their position you’d probably be snickering or something akin to that. Although I think it is horrible and pretentious, I couldn’t help but laugh if someone came in and ordered a “LUV GSUS” plate. Sure, it isn’t acting like an outright jerk, but it is pretty insensitive.
tysdaddy said,
March 16, 2008 at 3:03 pm
“It teaches me that they define themselves by their lack of religion and therefore more than likely lack the redeeming qualities that enable normal people to not try to be defined in single words or ideas to people they will most likely never meet.
So really it just teaches me I never want to meet them.”
Huh?
I tried to read the resulting back and forth, but it just got muddy and ugly.
I think a world divided by labels and finger pointing is a fine world indeed!
(Of course, that was a joke.)
Sheesh.
Nice site; I enjoyed my brief visit and will be back. Consider yourself Stumbled.
Brian
Janet said,
May 17, 2008 at 7:56 pm
The office reacted like you had requested FUCKU2. Yeah, let me get this straight: It’s okay for them to demean you, but not okay for you to request a tag that doesn’t in anyway affect them personally? *tsk*tsk*
David Dionne said,
July 29, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Mens Invicta Manet:
The website talkorigins.org would be a great place for you to address your obvious ignorance about evolution. The evolution FAQ would be a great place to start.
psybird said,
August 7, 2008 at 12:58 am
Mens Invicta Manet:
You are preaching to a group of people who know what a scientific theory is and how it differs from an unproven hypothesis (which is the way the word is (mis-)used in common speech). You are also preaching to a group of people who know the difference between the fact of evolution (which no biologist disputes because the evidence is indisputable) and the theory or evolution (how the obvious fact of evolution can be explained/ how it happened). Same thing with the fact of gravity (indisputable and obvious) and the theory of gravity (how the fact of gravity can be explained).
Since you display great ignorance of this level of science the more you write the more of a fool you make yourself out to be. If you want to be taken seriously instead of dismissed as an ignorant and extremely rude troll, then you should either shut up or read the evolution FAQ suggested by the previous respondant. If you are not as stupid as you make yourself out to be then perhaps you will understand it. I hope so. Otherwise you will simply go on painting yourself as an ignorant and prejudiced arsehole that nobody wants to know. You don’t need an automotive number plate to achieve that. .
mntnlover77 said,
August 11, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Religious fundamentalists dictate: 1) who I can marry, 2) who my family can consist of 3) what I can or can’t do with my body, 4) proclaims I must be submissive to men and do what they say, 5) says my only goal in life should be to get married and become a baby factory.
Atheists dictate: no one has the right to force their religious beliefs on someone else.
Freedom of religion means we have freedom FROM religion. The fact that people who aren’t Christian are fighting for their rights and refusing to be treated as second-class citizens doesn’t mean Christians are being discriminated against or treated poorly.
And no, not ALL Christians tell me I’m going to hell all the time, and they don’t ALL try to encourage me to have a close personal relationship with Jesus, but I know they pray for my soul and believe it. And most of them vote in ways that require me to behave like I’m a believer (i.e. give up control over my reproductive rights).
rock0head420 said,
August 24, 2008 at 1:54 pm
the way i see it you were within your rights and they have no business treating you that way.
Good luck with this.
crogalosh said,
December 9, 2008 at 1:05 pm
thats sick
prejudice like that is wrong
live and let live as they say
lucky for me people like that don’t really exist in ireland maybe rural but urban areas like where im from under the age of 30 is like 80% atheist