Judge Nixes S.C. License Plate with Cross

Image of Cross with Phrase "I Believe" Violates First Amendment, Federal Judge Rules; Same Plate Was Rejected in Fla.

(AP)  A federal judge ruled Tuesday that South Carolina can't issue license plates showing the image of a cross in front of a stained glass window along with the phrase "I Believe."

U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie said in her ruling that the license plates was unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment ban on establishment of religion.

"Such a law amounts to a state endorsement not only of religion in general, but of a specific sect in particular," Currie wrote.

Her ruling also singled out Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who had pushed the bill approving the license plates through the state Legislature. Christian advocates tried to get the same license plate approved in Florida, but the bill did not pass its Legislature.

Bauer wanted to accomplish in South Carolina what had been unsuccessful in Florida, Currie wrote: To "gain legislative approval of a specialty plate promoting the majority religion: Christianity. 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 defense of its implementation has embroiled the state in unnecessary (and expensive) litigation."

Bauer was not immediately available for comment.

The fight over the plates started shortly after Bauer helped push the legislation through in 2008. Groups including Americans United for Separation of Church and State and American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee challenged the state's ability to put a religious message on a state license tag.

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said government must never be allowed give favorable treatment to one faith above others.

"That's unconstitutional and un-American. Some officials seem to want to use religion as a political football," Lynn said, calling it an "appalling misuse of governmental authority, and I am thrilled that the judge put a stop to it."

Currie ordered the state to cover those groups' legal expenses.

[Palmereup]

Just another FREEDOM---THEY can strip and rob us from. This is the UNITED STATES---the LAND of the FREE---which our Forefathers faught so hard for. Our country-the USA was FOUND on Christianity! Our healthcare is being robbed from us-now our religion. What's next?? If we are caught wearing a cross around our neck we can be fined or in prison?? This world is CRAZY-People are more and more CRAZY! How much more can people take? Jesus needs to come back real soon and save us BELIEVERS!

[wyodutch]

If you want a religious symbol on your automobile, do it right... Grab a can of white paint and a 4-inch brush. Put one on each door.

[RevMichaelM]

First lets get our history straight, this country had Native Americans that worshipped the Creator in their own special way, but was more or less forced to change their ways to Christianity. Second look at way so many people wanted to get out of Europe, because they were being forced to belief in a religion by the government, and that belief did not sit well with them. As for these license plates, you can have them, but give the other beliefs the same freedom to "show off" their faith with out the fear of attack or harzed for that belief. We all need to learn to live together, being Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and even Wicca. Didn't Jesus say "love thy neigbor as thyself" he also said "who is without sin throw the first stone"

Love and Peace to All
Rev Michael McBride

[SylvyrShazza]

Amen! He also said, "Whatsoever thou doest for the least of thy bretheren, thou doest for Me" and (a little later in the same chapter) "Whatsoever thou dost not do for the least of thy bretheren, thou dost not do for Me." Several of Christ's sermons related to discrimination of some kind and it's pretty clear He was against it.

[Virgil-1]

This is no more than another attack on the First Amendment.Socialist in action!Soon you want have a car to put a license plate on.

[nobodys-fool]

Christians need to come out of the closet and let America know we are still here. If it takes a tag, to show who the beleivers are, so be it. We are tired of setting aside our country whom OUR ancestors bled for, for these "minorites" who want to take our rights away. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!! Christians!!! Don't abandon our Lord for these idiots. Stop hiding behind political correctness and stand up for Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!! Don't play the "holiday" game. If the store you go in does not promote Christmas,walk out!!! We aren't there to purchase Holiday gifts, we want Christmas Presents!! Why does one idiot get to make this decision anyway??? Where are the ones that speak for the people...take a vote.....

[SylvyrShazza]

"Christians need to come out of the closet"?!? You have how many TV channels, radio stations, and publications? You're not in the closet, you're just finding out that you're not the "majority" you think you are. MY ancestors fought for this country. I am not an ethnic minority. I am also not a Christian. Nobody's asking you to switch your religion, they're just suggesting that you open your eyes and read that the 1st Amendment allows for religious freedom for ALL religions.

[Account_Holder]

Everybody's-fool, you need serious help. And those who speak for the people have already spoken. No stupid tag for you....neener, neener, neener.

[Ms_enza]

Isn't it enough for them that I will rot in their Hell for all eternity that they also have to ruin my short time here on Earth!

Jesus, Jesus-People! What more do you want?!

BUY A DAMNED BUMPERSTICKER!

Make sure it hasn't an Islamic theme, it will get torn off.

[SylvyrShazza]

Oh, come on, you're not going to let one torn bumper sticker deter you, are you? What are you, an American or a mouse? If some wanker tears off the bumper sticker, put another one on over the torn one, and get a more-sensitive car alarm.

[old-enough]

It wouls be so much better if people would just act like Christians. Then they wouldn't need to have labels to let people know that they are. "By their fruits ye shall know them"

[SylvyrShazza]

Ooooo, nice one! And I concur! This was an attempt on the part of the Christian Coalition to raise more money for the Conservatives -- and not a very well-shielded one, at that -- as ye sow, so shall ye reap, much?

[CBLEMI]

A vanity plate is ordered by an individual and paid for by that individual. Groups can also order specialty plates. The group guarantees the purchase of a number of plates and they are at extra expense. Any church group could order such a plate. That is NOT what happened with the SC "I Believe" plate. The plate was created and voted into existence by the SC Legislature. It was a government sanctioned plate and, therefore, a government sanctioned message. It's fairly simple to go through the DMV and get a speciality plate (extra charge) and that's what those who wish to promote their religions on their license plates should do. People can have a religious plates -- the government just can't create and subsidize them. Fair enough?

[bdwilson616]

Don't get me wrong, I would never display such a plate on my vehicle. However, after putting my life on the line for all American citizens and their right to certain freedoms, I believe if they want to make the choice to display this, they should have that opportunity. It would be entirely different if the default state plate displayed such religous icons. That would enter the 'preference of one religion over another or non-religion' as defined in the first ammendment.

[bdwilson616]

Licence plates are government ISSUED not government owned. Ever our currency still reads 'In God We Trust', and bills ARE government owned

[us_1776]

And this slogan was introduced in 1957 to currency under the draconian McCarthy-era. It was never on US currency until this ultra-right-wing nonsense of the 1950's.

[P0STING_AWAY]

by bdwilson616 November 10, 2009 3:24 PM EST
Licence plates are government ISSUED not government owned. Ever our currency still reads 'In God We Trust', and bills ARE government owned
===============================================================
DUDELY:
The god mentioned on the currency is Tubrow - the Panamanian
god of money.