Group Files Suit Over SC License Plates
Sunday June 22, 2008
I'm actually surprised it took this long. The group Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed a lawsuit against the state of South Carolina over the religious-themed "I Believe" license plates. The suit was filed on behalf of several religious leaders, including "two Christian pastors, a humanist pastor and a rabbi in South Carolina, along with the Hindu American Foundation".
Rev. Barry Lynn, of Americans United, said the suit was filed because South Carolina's government is endorsing one religion, and that AU "would not have opposed the "I Believe" plates had they been advocated by private groups". In South Carolina, the law permits private organizations to create their own custom plates. All that is required is a deposit of $4,000, or 400 prepaid orders. What this means is that if, for example, the Really Big Church Coalition of South Carolina wanted to get the "I Believe" plates, as long as 400 of their members ponied up the cost of the plates, in advance, they could have gone ahead and placed an order with the Department of Motor Vehicles -- no endorsement needed at all by the state government.
Instead, a few legislators decided get this bill passed, and now South Carolina is going to have to spend taxpayer money defending themselves against a lawsuit that could have been prevented, had they just followed their own rules in the first place.
Rev. Barry Lynn, of Americans United, said the suit was filed because South Carolina's government is endorsing one religion, and that AU "would not have opposed the "I Believe" plates had they been advocated by private groups". In South Carolina, the law permits private organizations to create their own custom plates. All that is required is a deposit of $4,000, or 400 prepaid orders. What this means is that if, for example, the Really Big Church Coalition of South Carolina wanted to get the "I Believe" plates, as long as 400 of their members ponied up the cost of the plates, in advance, they could have gone ahead and placed an order with the Department of Motor Vehicles -- no endorsement needed at all by the state government.
Instead, a few legislators decided get this bill passed, and now South Carolina is going to have to spend taxpayer money defending themselves against a lawsuit that could have been prevented, had they just followed their own rules in the first place.
Comments
As someone who was born and raised in SC, I can see them doing this. For the most part (not including each and every individual, however), they believe there is only one religion ond one way…their way. It is unfortunate that taxpayers’ money will have to pay for this fight, but something tells me that many won’t mind. Maybe they should spend the money on bettering their school system? I’m not trying to offend SC residents, but I was one and I went to the schools — and was bored out of my skull.
So does that mean any Faith can produce 400 prepaid tags and get a special license plate? Jews-star of David; pagans-pentacle…….
I’m not from SC, I live in IL, but I would think that what’s good for one religion should be good for everyone, eh? It would be only fair to along with the fishes to make some jewish, hindu, pagan, muslim, and even some satanic plates. Shouldn’t EVERY religion be embraced and not just the mainstream?
What century is this? I find it hard to believe that even allowing a church to produce their own license plates would be acceptable under the constitution, since license plates are issued by the state government, any slogan/symbol distributed on the license plates would be seen as being “endorsed” by the government. What were they thinking? Religion - any religion - should be between the individual and his/her idea of the creator. With that said, I grew up in a small town, too, and I can totally see the gov in my home state doing that, and I doubt anyone would protest.
I Believe South Carolina has a problem, lol. Personally, I find it objectionable that atheists can dictate laws regarding 10 commandments, moments of silence, etc. etc. etc. as well as the Born Again Christian coalition also trying to stick it down everybody’s gullets. People’s faiths should be their own.
I live in Georgia and being pagan is hard in the “bible belt”. But kudos to them- seperation of church and state (and schools etc) should be the same for everyone. Can you imagine the uprise if the pentacle was allowed on their license plates???
What is so wrong about believing? Do we not all have some sort of belief?!
I Believe, yes in the God and Goddess…
I Believe, is pretty ambiguous if you ask me, I don’t see the Christian propoganda in it at all… It could apply to many cultures and religions. This is a futile battle.
Have you seen the picture of the plate? It’s not the words “I believe” that I object to, but the fact that it’s attached to a cross and a church’s stained glass window.
If it was just “I believe,” I’d be fine with that, because it doesn’t endose one faith over another.
patti
I am pagan, but I still don’t see the huge fuss over these plates. There are 30+ other specialized plates to choose from, this plate is not a required plate. There are 2 generic plates already. And, if we wan to get technical…there is already a religious plate that simply states “In God We Trust.” Why isn’t that plate being addressed too? I think there are bigger issues out there then this.
the “I BELIEVE” portion of the plate is fine ,it could stand for i believe in anything like god,paganism,faries or yard nymphs. but the cross and the galss does narrow it to only a very few religions .
It is not just the here and now. There is the existence of the future and if this can be done,later something more obstreperous will be allowed. How does one boil a bullfrog? Very slowly so they don’t know that they are being boiled.
“I Believe” in the separation of Church and Plate!!!
The plate is not a vanity plate, or a specialty plate of the sort any organization that can pony up the cash or the orders can get. ‘I Believe’ is actually imprinted on the plate as a motto or slogan. This kind of plate must be approved by the state legislature. Knowing that their constituents are over 90% Christian, I don’t believe that Muslims or Wiccans would be able to get a version with a sickle or pentagram in place of the cross approved.
We had a similar issue over ‘In God We Trust’, after a lawsuit which the State lost, a plate reading ‘In Reason We Trust’ is now available, albeit with arbitrary restrictions (you have to prove you’re a member of the group that bought the suit…the alternative plate doesn’t require you to prove you’re a member of a church).