This image provided by Florida legislature via the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida on Friday, April 24, 2009 shows a proposed design for a Florida license plate depicting a Christian cross that would be available to drivers if lawmakers pass a bill in the Legislature. (AP Photo)
Ok, crazy story.
Seems a federal judge said no to South Carolina for issuing license plates that have a cross in front of a stained glass window. The same thing was thrown down in a Florida court as well. It was a “specialty” plate. Not the default plate for the average Joe. If it is a specialty plate, why would it be any different than buying your “alma mater” plate or the “humane society” license plate? After all … no one is forcing you to buy it or put it on your vehicle. I mean, why wouldn’t they put an end to say … Baylor specialty plates? It is a Baptist School? Surely people would not think that just because you had a license plate that said “I believe” that it was an establishment of religion … any more than having a Baylor plate that stated you were Baptist.
(AP) A federal judge ruled Tuesday that South Carolina can’t issue license plates showing the image of a cross in front of a stained glass window along with the phrase “I Believe.”
U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie said in her ruling that the license plates was unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment ban on establishment of religion.
“Such a law amounts to a state endorsement not only of religion in general, but of a specific sect in particular,” Currie wrote. more …
That is very interesting. Thanks for bringing it up and posting about it.
Surely, this will come up on appeal. I don’t see that it’s the government establishing any religion. As you say, it’s a specialty/optional plate. Now, if the government FORCED every car to have one, that would be a different story.
If it were a different faith, I wonder what the response would be? Hmmmm…