Jesus Christ faces battle at the DMV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — 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 said. "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 because, Superior Court Judge Tim Murphy said, "Taking the name of Jesus Christ may provoke a violent reaction or may significantly offend people."

"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."

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

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