Satan shaitan devil etc.

I am not a Satanist: Swedens mad biker

Published: 11 Jun 12 10:18 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
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The man whose 666 number plate was scrapped by Swedish authorities after 20 years has spoken out about the ban, political correctness in Sweden, and life as The Mad Swede around the world. Man's devil number plate banned in Sweden (7 Jun 12)

As news of Robert Lfgrens offensive number plate has swept the globe after The Locals report on Thursday, the owner of the motorcycle has been the subject of a veritable media storm. This is all getting a bit much, I was even on the television last night. But really, the whole thing is stupid, isnt it? Lfgren told The Local. After all, Im not a Satanist. Click here to see more images of The Mad Swede, including with the offensive hog The Swedish Road Authority (Transportstyrelsen) wrote Lfgren a letter in early June stating that his plates would be de-registered as the plates may be offensive to some. The number 666 represents the antichrist or the devil in popular culture and is sometimes referred to as the number of the beast. Some people take the number so seriously that they actively avoid it, a fear known as Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia. Lfgren himself, however, has no such fear but admits that the devil did have an influence on his triple six decision. Ive actually had the number plate for 20 years. I was inspired to get it after I rode my bike along what was then called The Devils Highway Route 666 in the US. This was back in the days when I worked as a motorcycling journalist called The Mad Swede, Lfgren said. When I got back to Sweden in 1991, someone told me my motorcycle was a beast and I figured Id make a personalized number plate. 666 seemed like the obvious option. Now, Lfgren claims he felt the need to confront the agency to find out exactly how many complaints they had received about the devilish plates. They told me that no one has complained, but that they had decided that itmight cause offence. Political correctness gone mad. The times are changing in Sweden, thats for sure, he told The Local. As for now, the avid motorcyclist must choose a new plate that doesnt rub anyone the wrong way. Could I change the plate to 667? Or would people be offended because thats the neighbour of the beast. Where can we draw the line?