Florida Considers Adding a Religious License Plate
Tuesday April 29, 2008
Florida lawmakers are toying with the idea of adding a specialty license plate that says "I Believe", which includes a stained-glass window and a cross. Specialty plates cost $25 extra in Florida, and money from the sale of these plates would go to the Orlando-based nonprofit group Faith in Teaching Inc., which supports faith-based schools activities. The Florida branch of the American Civil Liberties Union says, "The problem with the state manufacturing the plate is that it sends a message that Florida is essentially a Christian state and ... gives the appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference."
Ya think?
Interestingly, the bill that would create this line of specialty plates also contains the wording to create an "In God We Trust" plate, the proceeds of which would go to help children of soldiers and police officers whose parents have died. Cleverly done, designed so that if you oppose the "I Believe" plate, you're also a real meanie who doesn't want to help support the orphans of people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate's sponsor, said he's not really sure that everyone should get a chance to express their religious preference. He told reporters that if atheists came up with an "I Don't Believe" plate, "he would probably oppose it." You know, there are a ton of Pagans in Florida, especially around the Orlando area. You think he'd let you guys get a big pentacle or a Thor's Hammer on your plates?
Ya think?
Interestingly, the bill that would create this line of specialty plates also contains the wording to create an "In God We Trust" plate, the proceeds of which would go to help children of soldiers and police officers whose parents have died. Cleverly done, designed so that if you oppose the "I Believe" plate, you're also a real meanie who doesn't want to help support the orphans of people who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate's sponsor, said he's not really sure that everyone should get a chance to express their religious preference. He told reporters that if atheists came up with an "I Don't Believe" plate, "he would probably oppose it." You know, there are a ton of Pagans in Florida, especially around the Orlando area. You think he'd let you guys get a big pentacle or a Thor's Hammer on your plates?
Comments
i think this is a good idea it needs a little work so that its open to more religions and more charitable organizations but with a little editing it could be a good idea
Oh, yeah, in theory I think it would be cool if any religious group at all could have one. But it’s pretty clear there’s not going to be a Star of David or an Islamic symbol on there any time soon.
patti
I am a Florida resident; we have a lot of these plates to choose from. This is not the first one to promote only one side of a big issue. I so wish we would get a “Coexist” plate – now that I would put my extra money in to!
Yeah, my understanding is that Florida has a “choose life” plate that was the center of a lot of controversy, but it was allowed to go through because it was determined not to be a religious issue but a poitical one. The thing with the “I beleive” plate is, if it passes, Florida would be the first state in the country to have a religious-themed license plate available as an option.
I’m digging the “Coexist” plate completely. I’d order one if we had ‘em here!
patti
I don’t think they should have the plate, honestly, because as you said, we would look mean in not supporting the kids. I love kids, but I couldn’t support something I don’t believe in. The other ppl. just want everyone to be labeled as Christian and no other religions exist in their minds. Kinda makes me mad! I would proudly have the pentacle plate if they had one! Keep up your good work on these articles!
I’ve thought of using a pentagram off a bumper sticker to stick on my plate. just never got around to trying. I guess I could ask the Tax Commissioner if this is legal. I haven’t read the tag policy.
Press Release
(Statehouse) August 10, 2006 “State Representative Woody Burton (R-Greenwood), along with Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Joel Silverman, today revealed the chosen design for the new “In God We Trust” license plate. The design features the Flag of the United States of America and the words “In God We Trust” on the left hand side.
“Seeing the ‘In God We Trust’ license plate come to life is a momentous occasion for everyone involved,” said Burton. “The symbolism portrayed by the American Flag displays our loyalty to the United States and the words of our founding fathers. It is my hope that thousands of Hoosiers will choose this plate and display it proudly.”
Main-1-Media, a local design firm, donated its design efforts to the state for the creation of the license plate. The firm designed a number of options for the license plate, featuring the Indiana State Flag, the American Flag, and the Indiana Statehouse. Four options were posted on the Internet, as part of an unscientific online focus group, in order to gain public opinion on the designs. The website drew more than 300,000 responses. Because of the high number of responses, Rep. Burton, Commissioner Silverman, and Rick Terry from Main-1-Media felt confident in their design choice.
“We are pleased with the design of this plate and expect it to be very popular with our customers,” said Silverman.”
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=19174
Another license plate honoring God adorns the Buckeye State.
“ONE NATION UNDER GOD” is available at
http://bmv.ohio.gov/vehicle_registration/one_nation_plate.htm
This is another constitutional act of government to honor God.
By the way, anyone fellow Buckeyes out there know what the state motto is?
The words, “under God,” did not appear in the Pledge of Allegiance until 1954, when Congress, under McCarthyism, inserted them. Likewise, “In God We Trust” was absent from paper currency before 1956. It appeared on some coins earlier, as did other sundry phrases, such as “Mind Your Business.” The original U.S. motto, chosen by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, is E Pluribus Unum (”Of Many, One”), celebrating plurality, not theocracy.
It seems to me that if you oppose the plates all together you’ll come off looking like an easily dismissed crumudgeon. I wonder how much organizing it would take to get the stained glass window and cross just one of a number of optional symbols. I’ll bet Jews, Unitarians, Pagans, and liberal Christians would support that.
As for how to deal with Rep. Bullard….I haven’t a clue…my luck with bigots is usually bad.
Kitty >>>The words, “under God,” did not appear in the Pledge of Allegiance until 1954,
So what? They are in the Pledge of Allegiance now. Ditto for the State of Ohio motto, “WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.” And our government honors God with our national motto, “ONE NATION UNDER GOD”.
Jesus Christ directed the creation of the United States of America. We enjoy a special place in current events because of God’s plans for the world. The USA blessed Israel like no other, and the USA has allowed more religious freedom and freedom of religious speech than any other nation. That has been a wonderful blessing to the world and also honors God and Jesus Christ.
I would like to start by saying I do not believe that any state should take sides with any religion because this will continue to start problems.
Friend—- you must be Christian and I must say to you, you are living in the dark. Archaeologist have showed that over 70% of all stories in the bible have come from a pagan belief. Many have were found in the pyramids of Egypt. No matter how you wish for things to play out the facts still remain Chrisitanity is just a huge knock-off and since Rome took it (because he wanted to make the ruling one of is own)it was forced onto people. If this had not happened where would your god be and my Goddess be??????
Friend – I have read you posts many times & never commented, however …
You use the argument that since it is used now it must be true. I read a post by you not so long ago where you held that just the opposite was true. Religious undertones aside, you really need to ick one side of that argument & stick with it …
sorry … that last line should say “pick” …
I like ick Gerri!
I think this is both a good idea and bad idea. Options should be available to all if any.
As for Friend’s comments, I agree that Friend has often said that because its in the pledge and on the money that means that we’re a Christian nation and we should respect only Christianity publicly. However was it that was pre 1950? Because if its just the pledge and money that makes it so, perhaps we should go back to our roots and take God out of them like it used to be.
I like the idea of being able to religiously customize your license plate, but I think they should come out with all religions at once–not just stained glass windows and crosses. I love the Coexist plates; I saw a tye-dyed van parked at the movies a few years ago that had a coexist bumper sticker on it and a sticker in their window that says “My Freak Flag Still Flies.” It was great. I left them a note telling them how great it was.
Sum it up: favoritism=bad. Respect all religions (or lack of which) or none at all.