Christians looking to evangelize are understandably thrilled with the idea of "I Believe" license plates, nevermind that they may be unconstitutional. While the first amendment protects individuals rights to free speech, the cross and stained glass themed plates with the phrase "I Believe" across the bottom were cooked up by the South Carolina Senator Larry Grooms and endorsed unanimously by the state legislature, and a similar effort is underway in Florida. On those grounds, the plates may constitute a state sanctioning of one religion over another, and that raises the ire of non-Christians and free speech advocates. The group Americans United for Separation of Church and State tossed a yellow flag on the field and blew its lawsuit whistle to block these plates from seeing the light of day, spurring a respectfully blistering outpouring of "you'll burn in Hell, thank you" messages from plate supporters. The fight ensues, disenfranchised citizens or not, though we think these plates might be far more offensive to certain folks than the highly coveted WTF tags we all want here at Autoblog HQ. Video after the jump
[Source: Rawstory, Photo: Charleston.net]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Yar @ Jul 10th 2008 2:10PM
I have a plan:
If no one posts here, there can be no flame war.
baffledu2 @ Jul 10th 2008 2:25PM
Come on and get in the "spirit" of flaming!!!
I wonder who gets the "I believe" with the number 666 ?
HD2 @ Jul 10th 2008 3:09PM
I would say that license plates shouldn't be customized...Your number can but not the design and plus most license plate numbers wouldn't even fit on there. Nothing against religious believes...If those guys wanna show their pride just stick a sticker or spray paint their whole car like that if they want to be hardcore about it. There is a front bumper you know? They can utilize that, so enough with the complaining. Follow the fkn rules.
Tammy @ Jul 10th 2008 3:32PM
It's simple then let the state make plates with other religious symbols on them! Then it isn't a one religion endorsement. Its already on the vanity plates, so whats the big deal? It's call tolerance, I am not a christian, but I support their right to have the plate they want to have..and so should other religions. At some point they are going to have to come into the electronics age at the dmv and let people pick their plates/lettering 'n' pay for it online...imagine how the lines/waiting would be shortened!! As long as they still maintain the no foul/suggestive language/lettering, why not?
tara @ Jul 10th 2008 4:16PM
One might propose that the state could just issue a license plate design for each of the various religions. However, Ithink there may be a problem there too. There are several religions whose believers may not be safe were they to advertise their religion so blatantly. Take for instance a person of the Jewish faith, say they lived in the NY metro area, I think it would be fair to say that the odds of them receiving some form of vandalism to their car are certainly lower than say if they lived in Alabama. I myself am Jewish and recently moved to the south (NC) and upon sharing what my religious faith was with a new neighbor was promptly informed that being jeiwsh was "fine" but I should "probably not advertise it"! Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that the residents of any one state are predudice as a whole, however I think most people would agree that their are some areas in many states where muslims or jews for example are not neccasarily "free" to`support their religions so obviously.
Lindy @ Jul 13th 2008 10:16AM
Oh if this was a gay license plate there wouldn't be a problem. The thing says I believe it doesn't come out and say what they believe in. The animal lovers in Texas can get a dog license plate, maybe the cat lover's could throw a big fit because there is a dog and not a cat. I mean come on people get over it. There is always gonna be something that somebody doesn't like. If you want an I believe license plate then you should be able to get one.
Voiceoftruth @ Jul 13th 2008 10:42AM
This is yet another clear example of people's sheer stupidity. Firstly, WHY are you "offended" by other people's religion just because you dont agree with it? If you are "offended" than you are merely just way too sensitive. Ex. I dont want Obama in office, but I'm in NO WAY "offended" by people supporting him or talking about how grea tthey think he is. Same with religion. Im not Jewish or Muslim, but if they wanted to have a plate representing their religion, go ahead, im not going to be "offended" by it. Next, the concept that just because someoen is representign their religion AT ALL does NOT mean they are automatically putting it "above" everyone elses, NOR does this mean that the state or our Govt. is doing so EITHER. Lastly, at least one blogger on here wrote that "seperation of Church and state" is in the Constitution. Wake up people! its NOT in our Constitution. The concept was actually from a personal LETTER written by one of our founding fathers, and it was actually in SUPPORT of the practicing of RELIGION, stating that said practice shoudl be UNIMPEDED by the govt. on ANY level. Check your history, people, and to all atheists and anti-christian (NOT NON-christians, as u have the right to practice anything you wish) you have a FAR bigge rproblem in your hearts and minds than a legal liscence plate problem, or civil right problem, etc.
Tim @ Jul 13th 2008 2:15PM
I'm an avowed non-believer, a secular humanist, and firm supporter of reason and science. But I am not offended or bothered by such plates. As far as I can see, none of these states are making the display of such plates mandatory; you have to want one and then purchase one. So there really is no difference from any other vanity plates. But of course, equal time--or plates--needs to be made available for those who do not believe or those who do not belileve in the Christian myths.
As far as the Constitution is concerned, separation of church and state is an integral part of the First Amendment. That is not in the body of the Constitution, but the ability to amend and the process for amendment is. Therefore, separation of church and state IS part of the Constitution. Believe or don't believe as you wish. Of course, fanaticism is a mental disorder.
Gregg @ Jul 10th 2008 2:10PM
WTF? This is important? People espouse all sorts of delusional stuff on signs and bumper stickers. If the state can fit a tiny nonendorsement disclaimer on it, let the religious nuts have their special plate.
User @ Jul 10th 2008 2:14PM
And I bet nobody else will point this out:
THIS PLATE IS SO UGLY!
Who designed this thing? That cross is awfully placed and it doesn't even fit on the plate. All the colors are horrendous and the graphic design makes me want to barf. The fonts are terrible and the picture in the background looks like it's from an episode of Bay Watch.
User @ Jul 10th 2008 2:16PM
I have no idea why that comment ended up as a reply to your comment. Weird... I was just trying to add a completely new comment.
Bill @ Jul 10th 2008 2:51PM
In a way its kind of funny.
To the people who fall for this, congratulations, Caesar just picked your pocket for another what, $40?
You could have gotten your message out for a lot less, but you fell for the trap and feel better about yourself by paying the $40.
Vanity plates and group affinity plates are just another revenue raiser for state governments, and they work because people are stupid enough to pay it.
BowserUSC @ Jul 10th 2008 4:26PM
Kathie Roberts:
Never before have I heard such a baseless and flawed argument. First of all, history did not begin with Christianity. To say people have given their lives since the beginning is just arrogant. Second, if Christianity is represented, then you need to represent every religion and give people options. Third, so what if people have given their lives for Christianity. Should Hitler have his own license plate because he gave his life for Nazi Fascism. And as for you idea of a "gay license plate," I'm sure you would object to that.
I have no problem with this tacky license plate, but it's necessary to give every single option. Any Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu, not to mention the hundreds of other religions out there should be represented. Even Athiests and Agnostics should have the opportunity to get a license plate that represents their viewpoints. To only offer a Christian license plate and no other is incredibly insulting and disrespectful for a person of another faith.
You're arrogant and disrespectful views of other people's beliefs is incredibly alarming, and your idea that the world should revolve around your form of religion is just depressing.
User @ Jul 10th 2008 2:11PM
Uh oh. This is going to make us Christians look bad. Really bad. Not only is this in violation of the separation of church and state, it will look awful when someone flips someone else off and cuts them off while wearing one of these on their vehicle.
To all Atheists who are going to come out and complain about this from an anti-religion standpoint: Those involved with this do not represent all Christians!
rodan32 @ Jul 10th 2008 2:30PM
I don't know that this is a violation of the establishment clause, but it certainly is tacky. Better to drive like a Christian than to look at the license plate.
Cornholio @ Jul 10th 2008 2:33PM
"To all Atheists who are going to come out and complain about this from an anti-religion standpoint: Those involved with this do not represent all Christians!"
It's called guilt by association. "The rest of you" need to work to quell this sort of stuff too, maybe moreso than the non-believers, in order to preserve the credibility and reputation of your religious group in this country. Otherwise, you all come off looking foolish and simple-minded, like it or not.
PJ @ Jul 10th 2008 4:49PM
Hey, don't sweat it. This way, the rest of us'll know who to avoid lengthy conversations with at the gas station ;-)
VP @ Jul 10th 2008 2:13PM
Who are we kidding in this country? When has there ever been seperation between church and state? That's all rosy talk that is left in the constitution. If we atleast ever pretended like Christianity wasn't the official religion of this country, one can get riled up over this nonsense.
As a non-christian, i just shrug.
Steveboss @ Jul 10th 2008 2:14PM
Can Athiests still get plain plates?
Rootus @ Jul 10th 2008 2:27PM
What I want is one that says "Touched By His Noodly Appendage". If one religion can be represented, we need to allow the rest.