Banning Christian license plates
Was a judge right to tell South Carolina it can't offer auto tags with a cross and the words "I believe"?
A mock-up for South Carolina's "I Believe" license plate, ruled unconstitutional
A federal judge ruled this week that South Carolina can't distribute license plates featuring an image of a cross and the phrase "I believe." U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie said the Christian license plates are unconstitutional because they violate the First Amendment ban on establishment of religion by government. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who pushed through legislation to create the tags, said Currie was just a liberal judge making laws instead of interpreting them. Who's right?
A Christian license plate is un-American: "Government must never be allowed to express favored treatment for one faith over others," says Americans United executive director Rev. Barry Lynn in Opposing Views. South Carolina lawmakers used religion as a "political football" by approving the Christian license plates in clear violation of the Constitution. Kudos to the judge for putting a stop to this "appalling misuse of government authority."
"Court rules against South Carolina's 'Christian' license plates"
Believers are being censored: Separation of church and state "makes sense," says Bill Belew in Examiner.com. But "what about freedom of speech?" The people who want to buy these "I believe" license plates are being denied the same right to express themselves that other drivers enjoy when they select one of South Carolina's 103 approved specialty tags.
"Judge bans Christian car license plate"
The ruling won't settle the question: This case was a fait accompli from the beginning, says blogger Allahpundit in Hot Air. No judge is going to allow a state to hand out Christian license plates. But now a private group of Christians is registering its organizational name as "I Believe" and, as the state allows, "applying with the DMV to produce vanity plates with that slogan—and, er, a cross." What does the Constitution say about that?
"Oh my: Federal judge finds Christian license plates unconstitutional"
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52 Comments
Posted by Tony D, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:38 am The judge is a moron.It's an obvious issue of freedom of speech, not separation of church and state. South Carolina is not requiring I Believe license plates which would be a violation of the First Ammendment. Rather, they are allowing those who choose to express their freedom of speech. Provided that the same right is provided to all denominations, there should be no problem.
Posted by John Brantley, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:51 am when are christian believers going to get off there duffs and put a stop to this continued program of trying to emanate Christianity from this great country that was founded on these principals. we are allowing a few hate mongers to destroy our way of life, one ruling at a time until a day will come that Christians will be killed for there beliefs as in Roman times
Posted by Judy, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:59 am As a Christian I am offended that in this day and age we are persecuted in such a fashion. If I choose to have a license plate or anything else in my life indicating my Christianity then I should be allowed to do so. I agree with the post above that it is far past time for Christians to take a stand on this matter. This country was indeed founded on these principals and it should never be forgotten!
Posted by Lori Schulte, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:01 am NonBelievers may try to take away every right a Christian has...but they can never take Christ out of our hearts! This Judge should never be voted back into office because they failed to represent ALL without predjudice!
Posted by Valerie, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:01 am This country was not founded on Christian principles as so many like to misquote. The founding fathers knew all too well the dangers of government promoting one religion over another. Read British history and READ IT WELL. It seems that many so called christians in this country would just LOVE to force their religion down the throats of every American at school, football games, ANY assembly and even while they are driving their car! If you want the freedom to spout off about who and how you worship, stand on a street corner and have at it
Posted by lolerz, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:06 am Actually this is an issue of seperate of church and state because the government is making the license plates. No one is stopping you from getting a I believe license plate bracket, so no one is being censored. It's the same as if a muslim group wanted a plate that said Praise Allah, except all of you would be up in arms if that happened.
Posted by Valerie, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:06 am You all can buy a license plate FRAME that says I believe. Expecting your state to put it on your license is showing your lack of understanding of separation of church and state. I'm tired of the christian right trying to shove their beliefs down everyone's throats. If you all choose to be offended, that's your choice.
Posted by er, Thursday, November 12, 2009, 9:09 am There is nothing stopping people from putting an I Believe bumper sticker on their car. I applaud those who have the true conviction to do so. However, I believe that vanity license plates are statesanctioned contributions to organizations, and as such muddy too many waters for free speech adherents. All must be represented equally, and every religion should be represented with a vanity plate, or none at all. Just stop issuing all vanity plates, and this issue disappears. Get a bumper sticker.
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