What? A sane judge in South Carolina?
US judge bans Christian car plate
A US judge has ordered South Carolina not to issue a vehicle number plate with a Christian image and slogan.
The state legislature had approved a licence plate with a cross in front of a stained glass window and the words “I Believe” written along the top.
District Judge Cameron Currie said that the plate violated the First Amendment, which enshrines the separation of church and state.
A similar bid by a group in Florida last year did not pass state lawmakers.
‘Unconstitutional’
The case was brought by Americans United, which backs the separation of church and state, on behalf of several individuals and Hindu and American-Arab groups.
It began after Lt Governor Andre Bauer helped pass legislation allowing the number plate in early 2008.
Describing it as a “freedom of speech issue”, he argued that given the state already permitted 103 speciality vehicle plates it was “ridiculous” that there was not one for Christians.
According to local media reports, several hundred people had registered to buy the plate.
But Judge Currie ruled that the law amounted to state endorsement of a particular religion.
And she hit out at Mr Bauer, saying: “Whether motivated by sincerely-held Christian beliefs or an effort to purchase political capital with religious coin, the result is the same.
“The statute is clearly unconstitutional and defence of its implementation has embroiled the state in unnecessary (and expensive) litigation.</em>
Bingo. As I’ve stated before, there should be, at the Federal level a fine of say, ten million dollars, each time a state has to spend money it doesn’t have to yet again explain the law to the “believers”. Ten million dollars if you attempt to get your religious message disseminated via publicly-funded means. Make your own sign, duct tape it to your car, your front door, the zipper of your pants, whatever.
But its illegal and anti-American to spend my money to do it. The law will never change. Since your license tag states clearly that you “believe” in things that cannot be proven, your mind is accustomed to living in fantasy, one of which is that this country is a Christian nation, and that you’re just one more frivolous lawsuit away from everyone bowing and scraping to your particular mythology.
Put another way, your beliefs are yours- not mine. And I am legally protected from having to fund your break from reality.
