Florida drivers can order more than 100 specialty license plates celebrating everything from manatees to the Miami Heat, but one now under consideration would be the first in the nation to explicitly promote a specific religion.
The Florida Legislature is considering a specialty plate with a design that includes a Christian cross, a stained-glass window and the words “I Believe…”
If the plate is approved, Florida would become the first state to have a license plate featuring a religious symbol that’s not part of a college logo. Approval would almost certainly face a court challenge.
Bullard, the plate’s sponsor, isn’t sure all groups should be able to express their preference. If atheists came up with an “I Don’t Believe” plate, for example, he would probably oppose it.
It’s amazing how many endless loops the “faithful” construct.
“If atheists came up with an “I Don’t Believe” plate, for example, he would probably oppose it.”
Typical hypocritical BS.
What’s with Florida? Is it the heat?, The humidity?, The water?
How DOES stupid become so concentrated?
[duplicate]
“An Indiana plate with the same “In God We Trust” phrase has been challenged by the ACLU, but the courts so far have deemed it legal, arguing that it is comparable with other specialty plates.”
Case closed. Move along, nothing to see here.
I might go for one of these Vanity “I Believe” Plates if I could get number 666 !!!
If you can get a license plate saying how much you like the Miami Heat (who suck), then you should be able to get a license plate saying anything you want.
Of course the sensible solution is to just issue s single standard license plate, with the usual combination of letters and numbers. If you want to personalize your car, try a bumper sticker.
I think there was a spelling mistake in the article. Isn’t his last name Dullard?
Is anyone else surprised by the more than ONE HUNDRED different styles of plates already available? Wow.
It’s an easy money-maker for the states, but makes the plates anything but recognizable with a glance.
I don’t have anything against them having a Christian plate outright, but I certainly have a problem if the state is promoting one religion over another (or lack thereof), as it seems to be the case here.
I was born in Florida, but I had enough sense to move away. It actually worse than what you see here on Dvorak.
#7 – I’m waiting for matte black style with no #’s or letters…
I’d go for one of these:
If you drive like an idiot or have road rage, you might not want one of these license plates.
Seriously though, if you are going to offer Christian plates, surely you have to offer Pastafarians, Satanists, and pretty much everyone else plates as well. I could see “I believe” with an upside down pentacle being quite popular amongst certain crowds…. would probably be a good money maker.
Hey, if they have options for Jews, muslims, and Notre Dame fans, i have no problem with it. Not sure, though, that having a Christian plate implies Florida Governemnt promotion of the christian religion any more than a Georgia Bulldogs logo on the plate implies Florida Government promotion of the Bulldog football team(The plates exist).
Additionally, unless the state constitution specifically forbids it in the state consitution, it’s allowed anyways, assuming that the US constitution applies to the US, and not individual states.
More proof that most Americans can’t even understand Rights #1 and #2, beyond what their political party says.
They’d need to do Jihadist plates too with slogans like “Kill all infidels” or “Mohammed is the one true God”.
#13–Angus===this article describes the 14th Amendment and how it is “the most important provision in the Constitution” (my words).
Read it and you will find that “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States”
http://tinyurl.com/3xb3lp
I’m thinking this issue has to have prior litigation? first article almost on point is interesting nonetheless.
I think Oregon is “as crazy” as Florida===but in a good way.
“Keep your religion off the state’s license plates” at
http://tinyurl.com/5cfj6n
#16 – see #3.
#3 – “An Indiana plate with the same “In God We Trust” phrase has been challenged by the ACLU, but the courts so far have deemed it legal, arguing that it is comparable with other specialty plates.”
Case closed. Move along, nothing to see here.
So far… The courts are wrong… Specialty plates cost extra… Jesus plates are the same price, and guess what you get if they are out on non-Jesus plates… that’s right, Jesus plates.
#17–pat==do you have a link? While searching, I saw a similar case that might actually be it. The ACLU brought suit because the vanity fee was waived and the court said given there were 150K plates made there was no additional cost that had been waived.
The case never got to an establishment prohibition claim.
So, I think you have just a little bit more work to do.
#17–pat==thinking further on it. Lets probe our own love of freedom under the constitution?
Do you think it is appropriate for States to issue license plates advertising for or against any given religion?
Remember that “freedom of religion” also means “freedom from religion.”
Go——–
Strange how the left hates religion in politics except when it suits them:
“[A]s the Bible teaches us, to minister to the needs of God’s creation is an act of worship, to ignore those needs is to dishonor the God who made us. Let us vote no on this budget as an act of worship and for America’s children.” Nancy Pelosi
#19 – “Do you think it is appropriate for States to issue license plates advertising for or against any given religion?”
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
Is the legislature making a law regarding establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof? Or, are you paying to have something printed?
#21–Mike==when trying to get a law passed, you have to appeal to the religious crowd, so you pander. Such pandering comes under the label of “free speech” a concept you repeatedly confuse with being what you personally believe, forgetting there are 320 Million others desiring the same right.
So–observe the bright line of seperation, but don’t be blinded by the light.
#20 – “Remember that “freedom of religion” also means “freedom from religion.””
Yep, where are you being forced to be religious?
22–now pat, I specifically asked you what YOU THOUGHT. Lets save the legal analysis for others==or we can move to it later.
For myself, I think when the state issues license plates with religious symbols it is encouraging religion over no religion, and Western Religion over Non-Western religion==do you see the problem?
#25 I don’t think the SATE is making any kind of statement as the person with the plate is dictating what it says, not the state.
Now, where are you being forced to be religious or participate in a religion? I asked that question of you.
Yeah, but then the same people complain when other people use statements like that to argue for voting in favor of other positions.
#4 – I’d rather get 667, that is the neighbor of the beast.
#26–pat===you don’t think the State is making a statement when it approves certain plates and not others and only the state can print plates and you can only choose from the approved plates? Is that what you think?
Please confirm you got too wrapped up and had a brain fart?
#27–Mike==THOSE people are called pandering bastard no good politicians, religious leaders, and their dupes.
Another group of people complain against both sides of those statements, those people are called atheists, free thinkers, and lovers of freedom and the constitution.
Mike, do you make religious arguments to support your positions?