Florida Lawmakers Debate Offering A Christian License Plate

[DeSwiss]

Source: Associated Press

Florida Lawmakers Debate Offering A Christian License Plate

By JESSICA GRESKO, Associated Press Writer
46 minutes ago


This handout photo supplied by Craig Dobson from Faith in Teaching
on Thursday April 17, 2008, shows a proposed specialty license plate.

MIAMI - 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."

Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate's sponsor, said people who "believe in their college or university" or "believe in their football team" already have license plates they can buy. The new design is a chance for others to put a tag on their cars with "something they believe in," he said.

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. The problem with the state manufacturing the plate is that it "sends a message that Florida is essentially a Christian state" and, second, gives the "appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.

The "I Believe" license plate still has a way to go before it reaches the roads. The proposal is part of a package of license plates being debated in the Senate and ready for a floor vote. In the House, the bill that would authorize the plate has passed one committee 8-2. The Legislature's annual session ends May 2.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_on_re_us/religious_license_plate

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- Whoa.... have they talked to the Scientologists down there in Florida about this? Because if they pass this thing, Xenu and Tom Cruise will not be happy.....
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DeSwiss


http://atheisttoolbox.com/">The Atheist Toolbox

[kevinbgoode]

1. And this is what they get for electing a GOP legislature and governor

I hope the people in that state figure out just what they've done to themselves.

[DeSwiss]

4. Unfortunately....

...I think too many folks down there have figured out what they've done. And they like it.

- Which is why they keep doing it...

[Judi Lynn]

2. You can't go wrong in adding a pair of these dandy praying hands to the design!

Nice praying hands thimble



praying hands on casket!



Praying hands with small person with wings



praying hands tat!



stucco praying hands with flags!



Poorly sculpted praying hands



Gotta have a flag eagle.

[DeSwiss]

5. And let's not foget....

...the proper signage on the things closest to us:

[LibDemAlways]

15. Whoever drew the eagle missed the mark. Where are

the praying talons?

[pokercat999]

3. This is a good thing.

It will allow us to quickly identify them when the time comes. :evilgrin:

[DeSwiss]

6. Another way of looking at it is....

...if I were a terrorist, I'd get me one of those Xtian license plates and slap me a few bumper stickers like: "Jesus Is My co-Pilot" and "If Car Is Unattended I've Probably Been Been Raptured" on there as well to avoid suspicion.

- So hopefully they'll drop it for national security reasons....

[RockaFowler]

7. Ughhhh I am sick and tired of this

We are the same state that has that ridiculous Choose Life license plate. I remember when we had a real governor (Lawton Chiles). He vetoed the bill to have the Choose Life plates. Then Bozo Jeb came in and overturned the veto. What's next?? You know I don't mind the specialty plates, but why do we have so many?? So many that are un-needed.

[and-justice-for-all]

8. I live in Indiana and we already have those...

..'I have an invisible friend' plates. It is an optional plate.

[FloridaJudy]

9. I demand equal time for Buddha and Mohammed

...not to mention Chthlulu, Thor, Odin, and the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[Sabriel]

10. I demand equal representation for Fox Mulder, too

How about "I Want to Believe" plates?

So if you "believe" in something, you should get a plate? That's the weakest argument I've seen yet: equating supporting a football team with spiritual belief.

This country really has gone off the deep end.

[DrDan]

11. and more good news for the Florida evangelicals

"After a fierce debate about religion and academic freedom, Florida senators Wednesday approved a bill aimed at making sure science teachers and students can raise questions about evolution.

"The bill stems from the state Board of Education's decision this year to approve science standards that included teaching evolution -- a decision that drew criticism from social and religious conservatives.

"Supporters dubbed the bill the "Evolution Academic Freedom Act" and say it would protect teachers from retribution if they present information that questions evolution."


http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD02POL042408.htm


gives license for the "preaching" to begin . . .

[DeSwiss]

31. That is absolutely mind-boggling....

...because the Supreme Court has ruled that public schools can limit speech in the educational environment if it causes "disruptions."

But for teachers and/or students to "raise questions" concerning evolution, it would only be appropriate if they are raising "scientific questions" about it.

And Intelligent(sic) Design is not SCIENTIFIC.

- So questioning evolution from a religious perspective, would only be appropriate in a religion class...

[moose65]

12. This is getting tiresome

What I don't understand is, why do these people want to have Jesus on EVERYTHING??? Sheesh. I just don't understand how they think. Why not get a regular ole license plate, then plaster your car with Jesus bumper stickers? Why do they constantly want the "state" to put its stamp on all things Christian? As someone else already said, if this happens they need plates with Buddha and the Flying Spaghetti Monster as well.

[semillama]

13. It's because they are jealous of Sharia law.

Either consciously or subconsciously, this type of behavior is never just wanting to express yourself individually, it's wanting your town, state and nation to conform to your religious views.

[krabigirl]

30. I'd love a FSM license plate!

[PassingFair]

14. Obvious state-sponsored religion.

Clearly against the law.

[jberryhill]

17. Not if they let others do it

As long as everyone can get whatever they want on their plate, then I don't see the problem.

It's equally problematic to say "Dolphins fan? That's Okay. Jew? That's not okay."

It seems that with all of these "affiliation" license plate, the state is allowing license plates as a medium for free expression. If that's the case, then it's hard to put a limit on that.

I just can't believe that boneheads want to express religious ideas on license plates, of all things.

[PassingFair]

18. State WON'T pay to help all people "express their feelings".

I'll bet you a brazillion dollars there won't be
a plate that says:

No Gods; No Masters!

[jberryhill]

23. You'd have to apply to find out... But the state doesn't PAY anything...

The state doesn't "pay" for these things.

Lots of states have adopted these affiliation plates, because they make money. People pay *extra* to have them.

If you want to pay the state to put whatever on your license plate, I don't have a problem with it, and I don't see why anyone else does.

Charge the religious winguts double.... I don't care what's on their license plate.

[Robb]

16. Where are the iconoclasts when we need them? /nt

[CanonRay]

19. Good, then we can key any car with one.

[DeSwiss]

32. Why that's, that's....

- down right SINFUL. I likey...

[LeftHander]

20. Christian Kitsch...

It will go well on this:

[DeSwiss]

33. Can you imagine having this guy....

- as your neighbor in heaven....

FOR ETERNITY???

[Hell Hath No Fury]

21. If I were a Floridian...

I would have to immediately apply for a plate that showed my belief in and love for Satan (or the Lord Buddha, or Muhammad, or Gnesh) -- and wait to see how long it took for them to turn it down.

And then I would immediately file a lawsuit based on religious descrimination. :)

[jberryhill]

24. Ding ding ding ding... we have a winner

The DoD went through the same deal with religious icons on VA cemetery plates.

[kineneb]

26. Yes! nt

[DeSwiss]

34. The DMV would simply say....

...they don't have one of those. You need to talk with your representative about submitting a bill in the FL legislature about making one.

- "Oh, and have a nice day...."

[snooper2]

22. Good, All states should do this...

If the fundies want to "label" themselves, good, at least I know when the crazy fuckers are close by...

That's what 2LiveCrew and 12" subs are for :evilgrin:

[watercolors]

25. Just what we need!

There are way to many different ones now, how about just plain Fl Plate! It irritates me to no end, kind of like the post office and its stupid stamps.

[ngant17]

27. Florida Constitution prohibits this

I believe that is expressly stated in its constitution, prohibiting the expenditure of state funds for promoting any religion. Do I need to quote this to the Florida legislatures? After all, they made the rules.

[DeSwiss]

35. Rules??? Rules???

They don't need no stinkin' rules down in Florida!!!

- Well, now they do have a rule about not peekin' into somebody else's toilet stall. But other than that....

[HuffleClaw]

28. illegal i would guess but that doesn't seem to bother them

i wonder how they plan on EXCLUDING other religions.

[DeSwiss]

36. Ummm....

...just exclude them?

- They're very simplistic down there in Florida. It comes from standing in the sun too long.

:::All except Florida DUers. Of course. (whew):::

[krabigirl]

29. yuck, sorry.

[Thickasabrick]

37. How about one that says: "Florida..we'll protect your right to life

even if you're brain dead"