caught somewhere between real life, simple faith, & raw emotion
“I Believe” License Plate Unconstitutional
In South Carolina there is a case regarding the separation of church and state going to their Supreme Court.
Why?
It comes from a group of Christians who wanted the state to add another (among hundreds of others) vanity plate. It is the one pictured above and is obviously religious.
But a federal judge has denied the request since the state would be making the plates. Because of that, the judge said it was a violation of church and state.
So is the state making a religious vanity plate available to the citizens an endorsement by the state of said religion?
It’s this kind of thinking we hear more about around the holidays too. Christmas trees on public property have to be called ‘holiday trees’ and teachers in public schools have to say ‘happy holidays’ and not Merry Christmas. Oh brother!
It’s interesting to note that there is a secular humanist vanity plate available in South Carolina that says “In Reason We Trust.”
So I guess it’s okay for the state to steer people away from religion?
I’m curious when this thinking will blur other lines. When will they ban plates like the ‘pro-life’ one because it’s an implied religious plate or viewpoint?
It could happen.
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Bringing the heat!
Amazing stuff, Chip.
Thanks so much.
This one is simple, and should be open-and-shut.
Unless the state *requires* citizens to purchase such a plate, there is absolutely NO WAY that making it available to those who *choose* to purchase it in any way violates the establishment clause.
Further, this “judge” is violating the speech and religious expression clauses of the first amendment, by denying their right to have the choice to purchase such a plate.
Time for some electorate accountability for the federal bench.
You got Marx all wrong. He was just a warm and fuzzy humanitarian, or something.
Marx is grinning from ear to ear. I for one plan on telling every person I see this year, Merry Christmas, and if they are offended, I will simply say, you’re welcome.
When I see these stories, I know socialism is just around the corner.
God help us all!