First Amendment
Critics Believe S.C. ‘I Believe’ License Plate Violates Constitution
Posted Jun 6, 2008, 11:47 am CDT
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Two groups are considering a lawsuit over South Carolina’s decision to offer drivers a license plate with a cross and the phrase “I believe.”
The state passed a bill authorizing the plates on May 22, and it became law without the signature of Gov. Mark Sanford, the New York Times reports.
He told the state to charge drivers who want the plate just enough to cover the cost of making it. No organization will benefit from the sales, unlike sponsors of other specialty plates such as the Boy Scouts and colleges.
Critics say the plate amounts to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. The American Civil Liberties Union and the American Jewish Congress were considering a suit.
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Comments
Posted by Stan Chilcott - 2 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, 18 hours, 4 minutes ago
The license plates showing the vehicle is owned by a Christian is not mandatory. I see nothing wrong with a person announcing his/her faith. There are plenty of plates to choose from.
Posted by Brian Westley - 2 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, 32 minutes ago
By not offering plates for other religions, the state is favoring Christianity. The government can’t do that.
Posted by MSG - 2 months, 3 weeks, 3 hours, 54 minutes ago
The government can do that. I hate it when a lawyer does not understand the constitution. The Constitutional clause about the seperation of church and state only says there can be not state sponsored religion. Issuing license plates, where there are choices of many others, far from setting up a state-sponsored religion and no it is not the start of one either. These are paid for vanity plates which there are many others to choose from. I am sure if the jewish religion wants a manora (sorry for mispelling) or something else, they can petition for that too. Calm down! And stop showing your ignorance of the Constitution.