One for the HUH?!? file

[Ekaterina]

Jesus Christ in legal battle to get license

CHARLESTON, West Virginia (AP) -- Even Jesus Christ can't circumvent the rules for getting a driver's license in West Virginia.

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.

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.

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

This man may think he is doing something unique, but every person name "Chris" or, "Christina", or in Greek "Christos", has the same name: Jesus Christ.

Nothing new really, its just that people are used to hearing it this way.

[Ekaterina]

I don't think the problem is in the Christ part but in the usage of Jesus as a first name. Although in line with what you wrote Jesus has been used as a male name in most Latin/Spanish countries for centuries.

You're right nothing new............

However I believe that Orthodox Christians tend to shy away from using Jesus as a first name, not sure if there is anything in Church rules prohibiting it ...... You won't find any Russian using Joshua either....in Russian it's translated as Jesus.

Katya

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

Yes, the Russians I believe have a canon against using the name "Christ" or "Jesus", and even "Mary" I think. The Greeks had the same controversy but decided in the opposite direction. Perhaps they are both right, after all, naming yourself after a perfect man cannot be wrong, but then naming yourself as if to say you are God is a different story entirely. Always antithesis isn't it.

[Ekaterina]

I certainly hope that there is nothing against Mary, otherwise all those who carry the name Maria are in big trouble

In reality it is rare that your patron saint would be the Virgin Mary....I believe that's not done....it would normally be some saint.

Katya

[joasia]

CHRIST IS RISEN!

The True Christ.

I think this man is doing this, not to honor our Saviour's name, but to make the name so insignificant that a sinful created being thinks he can walk around with this name. It's a mockery to the meaning of calling on God's Holy Name as a protection against all evil attacks.

Didn't the Apostles teach to call on the name of Jesus Christ against demonic attacks? Isn't the Holy Name of Jesus Christ reserved only for the Second Person of the Holy Trinity? Aren't we taught that the most powerful name is Jesus Christ? Imagine how many more souls will be lost because of what this person is doing.

The name Jesus has been used alone and the name Christos has been used alone, but never have they been used together(not legally, anyways).

Who knows how many more will use the name, if this man is accepted. All sorts of religious lunatics will take on the name. Then our Saviour's warnings in the Gospels will come to pass...

For many will come in My name, saying, 'Iam the Christ', and will deceive many.' (Matt: 24;5)

Therefore, if they say to you,;'Look, He is in the desert' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. (Matt 24;26)

I think these two passages make more sense now. It's not just about somebody proclaiming to be the saviour, but he will also have the legal right to call himself by this most Holy name. This man, Phillip, may be just the setup for what is to come.

This world has accepted everything else under the sun, why not this? And the last step will be the acceptance of the anti-christ.

I don't know about anybody else, but I believe that we're living in the end times. I would have had doubts before, but this latest article has pushed my convictions over the top.

I'm keeping my ears and eyes open for anything on the news that talks about two men preaching in the streets of Jerusalem.

[joasia]

CHRIST IS RISEN!

The name Maria is very popular amongst the Greeks. She is a creation of God and the highest intercessor for us all, so there is no harm in being named after her. She is a saint too. I don't understand why the Russians are so opposed to it.