This should cause a massive hissy fit, what do ya think?
South Carolina drivers will be the first in the nation to be offered license plates that carry the phrase “I Believe†and a Christian cross over a stained-glass window under a law that took effect on Thursday.
Critics have threatened to fight the law in court, saying the license plate represents an illegal state endorsement of religion.
The bill authorizing the plate passed the State House and Senate unanimously on May 22. It became law without the signature of Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, under the South Carolina Constitution.
Here’s the thing: the prohibition regarding establishing an official religion in the US constitution applies only to the Congress passing a law that “respects the establishment of religion, or denying the practice,” not to whether a State wants to do that. And, if the People of SC want to practice their religion by having that type of license plate, then it should be allowed. And yes, if other religions want to do the same, they should be allowed.
“The whole issue here is that people are trying to get the state to endorse their religion, and that’s wrong,†said Dr. T. Jeremey Gunn, director of the A.C.L.U. Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. “It’s almost as if there’s insufficient support, and they have to go to the state to get it.â€
Let’s see what the South Carolina Constitution has to say
SECTION 1. Political power in people.
All political power is vested in and derived from the people only, therefore, they have the right at all times to modify their form of government.
SECTION 2. Religious freedom; freedom of speech; right of assembly and petition.
The General Assembly shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government or any department thereof for a redress of grievances.
So, if the People want a license plate like that, they can have it. The GA cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion.
Case closed!
FYI, the tag for SC will look similar to the one above. No one seems to have the actual design.
Hot Air and Stop The ACLU have video.
Teach said: And, if the People of SC want to practice their religion by having that type of license plate, then it should be allowed. And yes, if other religions want to do the same, they should be allowed.
Is SC offering other religious symbols on license plates other than a Christian cross?
I LOVE the SC plates with IN GOD WE TRUST on them! The Palmetto state is governed by a REPUBLICAN and both U.S. state senators are REPUBLICANS…. Imagine that Teach and I have the first round at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville at Broadway At The Beach in Myrtle Beach matey! Go Chanticleers, Tigers and Gamecocks!! Since when do godless liberals care about GOD and CHRISTIANITY since in their minds…GOD doesn’t exist anyway?
Not at the moment, Silke, but, if people want a different one, they can ask and should be allowed.
Noted leftist/enviormentalist Jimmy Buffet will be certainly happy that Darth supports him and his endeavors.
In most states the license plate actually belongs to the state which is why we have to turn them in.
Darth said: The Palmetto state is governed by a REPUBLICAN and both U.S. state senators are REPUBLICANS.
Interestingly that same Republican Governor, Mark Sanford, did not support the bill and would not sign it (though it still became law):
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/us/06license.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin
Teach, how can you support a bill that did not offer several other religious symbols as well?
Silke, no where did Teach state that other religions would not be allowed to do the same, nor that he didn’t support that notion.
Here in Colorado there are now so many specialty plates that I do not know how many are offered now. I’ve seen support plates for a variety of causes, and on one of my bike rides, I saw a plate that had the words “Italian-American” across the bottom of it. Shouldn’t that be offensive to the Native Americans here in Colorado? Can’t they run to the ACLU and say they’re offended?
Sure you’ll say “well this is a religious display”. So? Many of the specialty plates help support groups/causes that are taken as seriously as a religion. Many people have personalized plates that state things that are important to them. Including religious statements.
When we have to construct our lives around not offending someone, then there is no reason to walk out our front door. Legislating every minute detail will be the end of our great democracy.
And John? The two states that I’ve lived in to be of age to deal with purchasing plates, Colorado and California; in neither one of those states are we required to turn the plates back in. You are allowed to keep those plates. Years ago in California the plate stayed with the vehicle for it’s use life. You simply transferred ownership of that plate number. In Colorado you are allowed to transfer plates vehicle to vehicle, if of course you notify the DMV of it.
Stacy said: Silke, no where did Teach state that other religions would not be allowed to do the same, nor that he didn’t support that notion.
Stacy the bill only provides for a Christian cross. My point is that they should have included other religions in this bill.
Although I see variations of this figure constantly, roughly 75% of Americans classify themselves as “Christian”. It is not inappropriate or illegal to allow the overwhelming majority a right they are allowed to express according to our 1st Amendment. Should any other religion desire the same, I highly doubt that will not be accommodated. One simply needs to approach them.
Stacy said: It is not inappropriate or illegal to allow the overwhelming majority a right they are allowed to express according to our 1st Amendment.
Absolutely. People are free to put whatever they want on their cars. The question is, should the State accommodate only one religion and not offer others the opportunity to express theirs via a license plate. The problem I see in this bill is that no other religious symbol is being offered and no other bill is being proposed.
I understand that and it’s a valid point. It simply comes down to majority. And I imagine there will be a line of other religions in the near future. There really is no reason to get worked up about it, it will play itself out in the near future.
Stacy, I think you’re right that this is not a reason to get worked up about but I disagree when you state “It simply comes down to majority.†The Bill/Declaration of Rights for any Constitution (state or federal) is all about protecting the rights of the individual – particularly when it comes to majority rule.
Sorry, late to the party, damned busy at work today.
Silke, I can support a bill that didn’t include other religions because a. people can ask if they want something else, and should be granted that boon, and b. SC is a predominantly Christian state.
There are certainly other license plates out there that people do not like. I bet some people do not like NC’s plate for the USS North Carolina because it is a machine of war. Oh, well. Why does Florida have “Save the Manatees” but not save the alligators? Many states have Choose Life plates. Instead of asking for Pro Choice plates, people try to deny people their right to express their opinions.
Don’t forget, people have to pay extra for these plates. I bet the ones with Confederate Flags on them tick some people off royally, but, are they not entitled to them?
Delta Sigma Theta sorority has their own plate in NC. They are a Black women’s sorority. Why should they get a special plate, and not my fraternity, Theta Chi? Or all the other frats and sororities? Well, they can ask.
There is an American Indian one and a Nurses one. That’s just not fair! Why not sales professionals? Bloggers?
There is lots of military ones for NC. Why not some Peace ones? Well, if they want them, ask.
Why should other religions be included? The bill was about one for the Christian religion. If Islam wants one, or Judeism, Budism, etc, ask. They should be accomodated. If not, I would stand behind their right to demand a plate 100% (except if the Islamic one preached Jihad, of course.)
Left-wing lunes detest babies (50 million abortions) and Christmas Nativity scenes in public, and any of the 31 Red States of America CHRISTIAN license plate designs, eh? Too bad Ryan & Silke…. Had a GREAT church service today in diXie!!! Dummycrat West Virginia Senator Bob Byrd is no longer burning crosses or wearing sheets I hear…What a democrat he really is.
Darth said: Dummycrat West Virginia Senator Bob Byrd is no longer burning crosses or wearing sheets I hear…What a democrat he really is.
For someone who calls Barrack Obama a “zebra” you may have more in common with Byrd than you think.
Gawd, don’t get me started on BO’s Mulatto status.
Teach, how can you support a bill that did not offer several other religious symbols as well?
Simple Silke, at least it used to be. Though the borders have less a meaning than ever before, it is the Republic commonly referred to as America. History shows how and what that country was based on. Do you know in which country you are or are you having to press one for English?
As part of what I am obliged to explain to my students when they ask about various religions, American history takes a front seat. The delusional entities that wish to wrap themselves in diversity for the sake of diversity need to review world history………pay special attention to the parts where countries failed.
Since I could care less what someone slaps on their plate, I have no horse in this race except to say that when too much is missed something is gained. Omitting intentionally the things that have been a long term base will result in rewards of confusion, which points the way toward destruction.