Oh, hush, you. That's not actually a *real* license plate, is it? They're not really going to let a government entity issue religious plates, are they? And "I believe" in what? Could you get Ivanova on your plate, should you choose?
I've been on a real Supreme Court book reading jag lately. "Christian nation" my foot.
aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!! I hope I never see that on the back of someone's car when I'm visiting, because it may cause me to use foul and inappropriate language in front of my child. And do something rash to the owner of said vehicle.
And isn't it always the case -- "I can shove my views down your throat, but I don't think you should be allowed to share yours." The guy doesn't support an atheist plate. Or probably anything non-Baptist. Grrr! That makes me so mad! Maybe you could get one and get it to say "NOT".
Honestly, I don't have a problem with it - depending on where the money for the plate goes. Freedom of religion means just that. What is the difference between saying "I believe" and the "Atheist" plate that songdancer linked to below? Both are statements of a person's personal religious beliefs. Besides, think of the deviant possibilities for replacements for the SAMPL text...
according to NC rules, you could get this:
NIVANOVA NNOTHING RIEN or THE FSM IN PASTA or HA HA JSJOKING J/K or UGOHELL etc
I don't know if FL has something similar, but NC has a great plate simulator so that you can really picture what you are getting.
I think the difference is that the ATHEIST tag I mentioned was just a standard vanity tag, paid for by the registrant and confined to 8 ASCII characters on the generic background (and only one instance thereof, per state). The "I Believe" Christian plate they are proposing is the background design, offered by the DMV (i.e. the state), for use with the state-issued (generic) numbers.
It wouldn't bug me, to be honest, if there were _any_ other faith's plate design available, as well. I particularly agree with your caveat of "depending on where the money for the plate goes". When there's only the one, it comes across like an advertising campaign for Christianity sponsored by the state (and my tax dollars).
I missed the Christian bit. Do you see the word Christian, Christ, or even God on that plate? Again, if the extra money is getting diverted to a Christian organization, I'll join the protest...but I think that they're too smart for that. Otherwise, I think we should let Mulder get his plate .
People, the pranking possibilities are way too good on this one.
Sure it is. License plates are issued by the state DMV. All those schools that had prayer before football games or over the loudspeaker? There were no "laws" in most of those cases either, but people who were of different religions sued (under anonymity, for fear of retribution, and rightfully so) and won. It's a state organization sanctioning a particular religion. There doesn't need to be a code on the books. If they got the right judge (and in Florida, this is very possible) I don't think they'd have a problem getting that plate axed
( ... )
The clause is there to prevent the establishment of an official state religion. In Florida, the state religion is football, isn't it? All kidding aside, I don't think giving people a choice of license plates from among over 100 that expresses their personal preference is establishing an official religion.
If they get the right judge, they might have it struck down, then it would go to the Circuit Court which would likely reverse, then the USSC which would likely allow it, in my opinion. But what do I know about the law, anyway.
Comments 17
I've been on a real Supreme Court book reading jag lately. "Christian nation" my foot.
Reply
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jpCRa_2onj6TwJ2DCIlU7OPlswnAD908EOA80
if this passes i may have to become political again. i want my athiest license plate!
Reply
aaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!! I hope I never see that on the back of someone's car when I'm visiting, because it may cause me to use foul and inappropriate language in front of my child. And do something rash to the owner of said vehicle.
And isn't it always the case -- "I can shove my views down your throat, but I don't think you should be allowed to share yours." The guy doesn't support an atheist plate. Or probably anything non-Baptist. Grrr! That makes me so mad! Maybe you could get one and get it to say "NOT".
Reply
Reply
Besides, think of the deviant possibilities for replacements for the SAMPL text...
according to NC rules, you could get this:
NIVANOVA
NNOTHING
RIEN
or
THE FSM
IN PASTA
or
HA HA
JSJOKING
J/K
or
UGOHELL
etc
I don't know if FL has something similar, but NC has a great plate simulator so that you can really picture what you are getting.
Reply
FAIL
?
Reply
It wouldn't bug me, to be honest, if there were _any_ other faith's plate design available, as well. I particularly agree with your caveat of "depending on where the money for the plate goes". When there's only the one, it comes across like an advertising campaign for Christianity sponsored by the state (and my tax dollars).
Reply
People, the pranking possibilities are way too good on this one.
Reply
Reply
This isn't that, in my own legal opinion.
Reply
Reply
If they get the right judge, they might have it struck down, then it would go to the Circuit Court which would likely reverse, then the USSC which would likely allow it, in my opinion. But what do I know about the law, anyway.
Reply
Leave a comment