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Home Front: Culture Wars
Group files suit over 'I Believe' plates in SC
2008-06-20
A group that advocates separation of church and state filed a federal lawsuit Thursday to prevent South Carolina from becoming the first state to create "I Believe" license plates.
I don't believe it.
The group contends that South Carolina's government is endorsing Christianity by allowing the plates, which would include a cross superimposed on a stained glass window.
I think the guys suing should get equal time. Their plates might include a dipstick in a toilet.
Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed the lawsuit on behalf of two Christian pastors, a humanist pastor and a rabbi in South Carolina, along with the Hindu American Foundation. "I do believe these 'I Believe' plates will not see the light of day because the courts, I'm confident, will see through this," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, the group's executive director.
Posted by:Fred

#17  I have a Tennessee Walking Horse tag on my truck and a Sons of Confederate Veterans tag on my car. The State allows it so what's the big deal? Here in Tennessee you can get a tag with you college Alma Mater on it. There are a lot more important issues than filing a lawsuit because of a car tag. Get a life, already!
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2008-06-20 19:03  

#16  Let them design their own vanity plate then, OldSpook, and pay the voluntary road tax too, if it so pleases them. Me, I go with the plain ones, and work out my fair share in other ways.
Posted by: trailing wife    2008-06-20 17:31  

#15  TW - to the state highway fund if its liek other places. Although it looks like now it will go to government lawyers to defend the plates.
Posted by: OldSpook   2008-06-20 17:10  

#14  This is silliness, indeed. Where does the extra money charged for such vanity plates go?
Posted by: trailing wife    2008-06-20 16:04  

#13  Somebody needs to read the First Amendment. The words "separation of church and state" are not in there. All it says is that the government cannot establish a religion, nor prevent the practice of a religion.
Freedom of religion does not mean freedom FROM religion.
Posted by: Rambler in California   2008-06-20 15:17  

#12  Its not a waste of time for the lawyers - they are getting paid to do this.
Posted by: OldSpook   2008-06-20 14:44  

#11  Maybe the state should set a STANDARD for license plates and make the market work around that standard?

What a complete waste of time for everyone.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2008-06-20 10:09  

#10  Make a different one for everyone, or kill the whole thing.

There are a lot more pressing issues to fill our court system up with and this smacks of childish temper tantrum throwing.
Posted by: DarthVader   2008-06-20 09:51  

#9  Damn Fred, there went the coffee. Ha !
Posted by: Woozle Elmeter 2700   2008-06-20 09:40  

#8  Christians having a cross is the issue? Fine let others have their symbols too.

Muslims get a crescent.

Jews get a star of david although Id think you have to have a lot of courage to have that on a license plate given the anti-semitism in the country now on the political left.

Etc.

Let the Atheists have their own "I dont beleive" plates with a "No" (slashed red circle) in it - probably sell like crazy too just for the snark on college campuses.

And I guess the Agnostics get "I dunno if I beleive" and a question mark.
Posted by: OldSpook   2008-06-20 09:36  

#7  I wonder if it would be unlawful (probably), to put a sticker with a non-Christian symbol over the crucifix on the license plate?

Perhaps the face of a gray alien or Obama, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, a dollar sign, the Star Trek Logo, or a large capital 'A' for atheist.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2008-06-20 09:26  

#6  Who'd think a second rank song from a forgettable cheesy movie would cause such a stir?
Posted by: Procopius2k   2008-06-20 08:32  

#5  South Carolina has a crescent moon on their flag already.

The Islamic Republic of Palmetto? Seriously, where did it come from in SC's case?
Posted by: Grenter Protector of the Geats4975   2008-06-20 08:02  

#4  The kicker is these plates have to be special ordered just like any other vanity plate. The words "I Believe" are not on every single South Carolina plate. If someone wants to pay the extra bucks, that's fine by me.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2008-06-20 07:53  

#3  Bad idea. Someone will sue to have star and crescent added to show diversity. If you want to advertise your religion, buy a magnet sticker or something. Vanity plates are out of control.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2008-06-20 07:21  

#2  THier motto? I dont believe and IM damned well going to make sure you cannot say that you do.
Posted by: OldSpook   2008-06-20 01:08  

#1  A humanist pastor? Humanists are athiests.
Posted by: Phil_B   2008-06-20 00:30  

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