Christian-Themed License Plate Program Goes Too Far

[marmar]

via AlterNet:



Christian-Themed License Plate Program Goes Too Far

By Rob Boston, Church and State. Posted July 26, 2008.

New lawsuit argues that South Carolina's 'I Believe' license plate favors Christianity over other faiths.



The Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Summers of Columbia, S.C., spent his career working as a pastoral chaplain, where he promoted concepts such as interfaith harmony and respect among religions.

Now retired, the United Methodist minister was duly alarmed when he learned that government officials in his state planned to create a special license plate for Christians. A strong supporter of church-state separation, Summers quickly agreed to join a lawsuit sponsored by Americans United for Separation of Church and State to stop the plate from being issued.

"As a resident of South Carolina for over 70 years and as a Christian minister for nearly 50 years in this state, I am incensed by the action of our state legislature in its approving the 'I Believe' license plates," Summers said. "I have spent so much of my ministerial career in interfaith efforts in hopes of healing any religious division. Sadly, these plates represent the governmental sanction of Christianity over the many other wonderful religious faith groups in our state.

"This arrogant action taken by the legislature is absolutely divisive, oppressive and is an affront to what true interfaith cooperation is all about," he continued.

The legal action takes aim at a specialty license plate approved by the South Carolina legislature last month. The so-called "I Believe" license plate features a large yellow cross superimposed over a depiction of a stained-glass church window. The words "I BELIEVE" appear at the bottom of the plate.

Americans United had warned Palmetto State legislators not to approve the specialty tag, pointing out that such preferential treatment for Christianity runs afoul of the First Amendment. Lawmakers were not swayed. Approval of the plate was among a spate of religion-themed bills passed by the legislature this summer. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/rights/92828/christian-themed_license_plate_program_goes_too_far/

[moose65]

1. I say it again:

I just don't get it. Why can't they get a regular license plate, and then plaster their cars with all the Jesus bumper stickers they can buy? Or those little fish-symbol thingies?? Why do they insist on having a state-issued license plate? It's just another way of forcing the state to acknowledge their beliefs. Anyone is SC reading this should try to get a Wiccan or Muslim license plate approved! The Holy Rollers would go ballistic!

[hobbit709]

2. I want a FSM plate

[RC]

11. Here ya go...

http://youmademesayit.blogspot.com/2008/04/believe-plates.html

[CrispyQ]

12. Zang!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I want one!

[roguevalley]

22. Jesus said belief and worship was private between you and God.

he said worship in a closet for godsake. those who parade their belief and sit in the synagogue and make a public show are not beloved of God and I believe him. Poor Jesus and God. So many stupid arrogant 'believers'. They are going to be scolded HUGE when they pass on.

[patrice]

4. Why? In order to even be able to "believe", Weaklings NEED support and approval from others.

This turns into social and economic EXCLUSION.

[jazzjunkysue]

14. It's far easier to just pay $50 for a licence plate than act, every day,like you believe.

Acting every day like you believe would mean:

Giving away your money and belongings.
Never watching TV.
Never hurting another or excluding another.
Putting everyone else ahead of yourself.
Refusing to support war.
Being nice to your mother in law, and all your other relatives.
Not making demands of your spouse and children.
Adopting homeless people, including black orphaned babies.
No pork or shellfish.
Insist on renewable energy and protecting the environment.

Nope. It's alot easier to just slap a licence plate on the back of your $35,000 SUV with a magnetic "Support the troops" removable sticker.

[goddess40]

5. It's to make it appear that the govt sanctions their religion

and to shove that victory down everyone else's throats. Smug bastards!

[no_hypocrisy]

6. I'll tell you why. These people WANT government endorsement of their beliefs and

government enactment of their beliefs into laws that will apply to the rest of us. A license plate, a Christmas tree on municipal property, a cross in a state park, the Ten Commandments at a federal courthouse. All these "symbols" tell the world that this country is a Christian Nation, that is, THEIR version of "christian" and the government will protect their rights over ours. As a matter of fact, taken to the extreme, the government could prosecute nonbelievers on behalf of a religion. Want proof? Try Saudi Arabia or Iran or another theocracy.

It starts with a license plate and pretty soon, the same people want something else. And they will never be satisfied.

[timtom]

7. Christmas Tree is not a christian symbol.

It is a pagan symbol.

[no_hypocrisy]

8. Christians have co-opted it. Perhaps a manger in front of City Hall would have

been a better example. Point conceded.

[baldguy]

10. Just like they stole the idea of the virgin birth & having their god be resurrected.

[jazzjunkysue]

15. It's all recycled ancient pagan beliefs.

All of it.

[treestar]

20. My theory is their hatred of Muslims is based on envy

They want this to be a nation of their religion that way the Saudis have a Muslim nation. They want that kind of power, and are frustrated that our Constitution does not allow them to have it. they want that kind of power of women so badly they are consumed with jealousy.

[Kitty Herder]

25. You may be onto something there! nt

[zanne]

3. They obviously want control.

They seem to be serious about stating that Christianity is superior to other faiths.

[JerseygirlCT]

9. I argree.

Why not do away with this stupid vanity plates anyway?

[spanone]

13. in tennessee you can purchase a 'pro-life' plate but not a 'pro-choice'

[jazzjunkysue]

16. I can't even imagine either one in New York.

Closest thing is Masons or Unions. Connecticut doesn't even have those.
I see my "Save the Sound" plate with the pretty lighthouse. That's the only one, except for the personalized ones, that I ever see.

[Riktor]

23. Not True...

... Connecticut also has a "Pet Lover" plate.

I guess Connecticut just has less prisoners than South Carolina.

[AllieB]

17. If that plate was in Massachusetts, it would have a Red Sox logo next to it.

That was the phrase during the 2004 playoff series (I think) and the T-shirts and bumper stickers are still everywhere.

Goes to show you the difference between SC and MA. People don't wear faith on their sleeves up here, unless it has to do with sports teams.

[valerief]

18. I want an official "I Believe Xtians Are Crazy" license plate. After all,

fair is fair.

[treestar]

19. "I believe" doesn't say anything

I believe I'll have another beer.

[elehhhhna]

21. It would be interdenom, but for the big cross.

take that off and it works for all unquestioning believers, everywhere

[TexasObserver]

24. If they'll make one with a UFO, too, that says "I Believe," fine.

Or maybe one of those DARWIN fish with legs.

But they ain't gonna do that!!