In the U.S. Senate next month, there will be another debate about whether to mandate more fuel-efficient cars and trucks.

There is not a lot of suspense about the outcome in what has become a stale annual ritual. After a few days of rehashing decades-old arguments, a bipartisan majority of lawmakers, looking out for the interests of automakers and auto workers, will vote to keep the status quo.

But outside the capital beltway and the confines of Metro Detroit, there are growing attempts to raise awareness that the vehicles Americans drive have an impact on the environment. The war in Iraq has helped renew interest in weaning the country from foreign oil. At the same time, there is a populist backlash against government attempts to legislate or regulate the kinds of cars in people's driveways.

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Last year, a coalition of environmentally minded religious groups put together a controversial ad campaign posing the question, "What would Jesus drive?" Even though Jesus is a Jew and a senior citizen, surprisingly the answer is not Cadillac Deville or Lincoln Town Car. The question doesn't really have one answer. It's simply meant to remind consumers and the Big Three that the Big One isn't happy about our gas guzzling, pollution-spewing, Earth-trashing ways.

Last Wednesday evening, Rev. Jim Ball, the lead spokesman for WWJDrive, drove his electric hybrid Toyota Pious -- I mean, Prius -- to Trinity Presbyterian Church on Howell Mill Road to talk about why driving the least polluting car is the obvious duty of Christians. Preceding his thoughtful and compelling argument was a hilarious skit authored and performed by a children's group called Kids Against Pollution. In the skit, a bible-toting Jesus and his disciples debated how best to travel. Judas argued for SUVs, particularly those with GPS navigation systems, while others in the group suggested public transport. They finally settled on riding bicycles -- a fine choice, but a potentially painful one for sandal wearers.

From Creative Loafing

When the Rev. Jim Ball and his wife began their cross-country trip, they weren't sure how other drivers would react to the "What Would Jesus Drive?" signs on the doors of their Toyota Prius.

Their swing through the Bible Belt is another step in a campaign that started in November, when Ball and his national coalition of evangelical Christians came to Detroit to kick off "What Would Jesus Drive?" and to join a delegation of interfaith religious leaders pushing for cleaner cars.

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The Rev. Jim Ball came through Raleigh last weekend asking the intriguing question, "What would Jesus drive?"

The question is not as stupid as it first appears, which is good because at first glance it appears really lame.

Actually, it's a trick question to grab public attention. It worked.

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A Kia Sorento, a vehicle that resembles a very large and sporty breadbox on wheels, negotiates a steep climb through the narrow alleyways of Seoul's north bank, lurching to a stop for every pedestrian and fruit-laden wheelbarrow that comes across its dusty path.

The Sorento is a sport utility vehicle or better known as SUVs or RVs as they are known here in Korea. It's an unlikely choice of locomotion on the ultra-crowded and well-paved streets of Seoul, but they are a hot trend in the car market, and most talked about at the supermarket. Nonexistent only five short years ago, SUVs are now 40 percent of all passenger cars sold in Korea, and their popularity is increasing.

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A consumer group launched a new attack on sport utility vehicles Wednesday, saying the vehicles are unsafe and guzzle too much gas.

Public Citizen plans to spend around $20,000 on radio ads that will run this week in Oregon, Minnesota, Maine, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan and the Washington, D.C.

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In an informal discussion group about environmentally sound transportation, Western junior Lance Culnane worked his clothing into the conversation. Culnane said he views his spiritual beliefs and environmental beliefs as more closely linked than most people would.

Out of his costume, Culnane has neck-length black hair, a goatee and a smile. Right now though, he was in his costume. White garbage bags, slit open and affixed with tape, covered him from the neck down. Over his head, he wore an inverted ice cream tub, empty. He had sawed out a mouth and eyeholes. Over the mouth hole, he wore a white mask of the type people wear for protection from SARS. Over the eyes, he wore a heavy set of goggles. In one of his hands was sign that read, "What would Jesus drive?" That was what the discussion was about - what would Jesus drive?

Link to the tour at this digest.

Local clergy will rally around the fuel-efficient car today in the name of God. The "What Would Jesus Drive?" campaign is cruising into Austin in a hybrid-electric Toyota Prius to promote environmental awareness.

The Washington-based Evangelical Environmental Network, which is taking its message across the country, will meet with religious and political leaders throughout the day. For more information, go to www.WhatWouldJesusDrive.org.