South Carolina Approves Christian License Tag
A group that supports separation of church and state wants a federal judge to stop South Carolina from issuing Christian-themed license plates.
Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State will ask a judge during a hearing Thursday for a preliminary injunction to keep the state Department of Motor Vehicles from issuing plates that depict a stained-glass window with a cross and carrying the words I Believe.
Americans United has sued state officials, saying the plates amount to state sponsorship of a particular faith. Legislators passed a law authorizing the tag this year. The DMV said last month it has enough paid orders to begin making the plates.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)
Published: December 11, 2008
10 comments:
I think that this lawsuit is misguided. There are license plates for everything - at least where I live, which includes license plates that support a two rival college football teams to the state's flagship university. The reason of course that lawmakers pass such legislation is that it creates tax revenue for the counties or state - depending on who collects the ad valorum taxes and how the state's are set up.
My point, therefore, is that this plate is just another way to collect taxes. It is not, as far as I can tell, an instance of state sponsored religion. Where there would be a problem, if it were to obtain, is if there were a group of atheists (etc) that wanted to have their own license plates but could not get the state lawmakers to consider such a bill (provided of course that there is sufficient evidence that there will be enough people interested in purchasing such a design as to make it profitable for the state).
I value the non-constitutional notion of separation of church and state as much as the next atheist; however, not every coincident instance of religious themed material and government publication or fabrication as the case may be needs to be fought. If the state orders people to purchase these, provides special benefits to those with these plates, or anything else of this sort, I shall be first in line to lend support to such a lawsuit. Until then, I hold this to be an instance of constitutionally protected free speech - which is being furthered by the state.
It looks like they got that injunction they were asking for.
Well if that's okay, then they they should surely create Flying Spaghetti Monster plates too! :D
These are extra plates that have to be paid above and beyond typical price to own, so it's fine and dandy with this heretic here. If they explicitly deny, say, any Muslim wishing to make his or her own plate regarding their faith, I'll join in the fight for this, but until then, let this one be and spend your time attacking doctrines of theonomy and dominionism. ;)
Exactly. How is this state-sponsored religion, if you have to pay extra for it, and if (presumably) any belief (or lack thereof) could also qualify?
The issue with South Carolina's license plate is twofold.
First, this is the first marker plate officially sponsored by the state. All other specialty plates have needed to be sponsored by an outside organization, which receives a portion of the proceeds.
Second, many of the legislators have explicitly stated that they would not support the creation of a muslim or atheist variant.
So in fact the AU have a valid complaint and the judge's sweeping preliminary injunction was appropriate. If the decision to allow a specialty plate were a secular one, applying the same standard to muslim, christian, and atheist designs alike, then I don't think anyone would have a problem. When a state expresses favoritism to one religion and hostility towards others it is repugnant to the constitution and should not be allowed.
I live in South Carolina and it doesn't surprise me at all that these license plates are being produced. This state has to be in the top 3 in the fundamentalist ranking. Oh how I wish there were a freethought society where I live!
To amplify corn walker's comment:
The SC Legislature created this plate by unanimous vote earlier this year.
Anyone in SC can create a specialty plate; there are dozens. All an organization has to do is generate orders for 400 or more plates.
The Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry have a plate In Reason We Trust.
The difference in this thumper state is that a legislator saw Florida flirting with an I Believe plate and ran with it.
Yesterday (12/11/08), a Federal Judge issued an injunction.
Though SC is in a financial crisis like most states, I have no doubt that they will expend funds on an appeal.
Adrift in Charleston, SC.
Corn Walker, good points!
It's hard to be "respectful" to a religious state that whole heartededly endorses Christianity as it still smarts from been forcibly denied the right to own slaves.I have no other comment.
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