LAST summer, when I reported that South Carolina was to become the first American state to approve crass “I Believe” license plates with an image of a cross and a stained glass window, I dived in Photoshop and dummied up a plate I thought non-believers might want to put on their vehicles to show their opposition to this dimwitted idea.
Today I learn from the Telegraph that a US judge has scuppered the South Carolina initiative, and has ordered the state not to issue the “piety” plates.
District judge Cameron Currie ruled that the plates were unconstitutional because they violated the First Amendment. She declared:
Such a law amounts to a state endorsement not only of religion in general, but of a specific sect in particular.
Her ruling also singled out Lt Gov Andre Bauer – who had pushed the bill approving the license plates through the state legislature – for criticism.
Lt Gov Andre Bauer
The judge wrote that Bauer wanted to accomplish in South Carolina what had been unsuccessful in Florida in order 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 defence of its implementation has embroiled the state in unnecessary (and expensive) litigation.
Bauer was not immediately available for comment.
The case was brought by the group Americans United for Separation of Church and State, on behalf of several individuals and Hindu and American-Arab groups.
Rev Barry W Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United, said government must never be allowed give favourable treatment to one faith over others.
That’s unconstitutional and un-American. Some officials seem to want to use religion as a political football.
Hat Tip: BarrieJohn
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
November 11th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I’ll be first then:
Andre Bauer = Endure a bar!
(That judge should be made next President!!)
November 11th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Can you imagine what the uproar would be if there was a license plate with a Muslim crescent on it, saying “Allahu Akbar”?
(Of course it would never happen. But if it did someone would blame it on Obama.)
November 12th, 2009 at 12:52 am
So, the wall held once again against the “Christian Nation” cult. I’ve forgotten what Trojan horse scam they used this time. They’re pretty much all alike though–something like: “It’s not about religion, it’s about ____________. One can usually fill the blank with “history”, or “patriotism”, or “good science”, or….on and on and on. Pure Orwellian doublethink: it’s never about religion (they say) yet–in fact–it’s always about religion–specifically, rule by religion.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:25 am
The judge summed it up perfectly, though. It was, indeed, as she suggested: “An effort to purchase political capital with religious coin.” Brilliant!
November 12th, 2009 at 8:47 am
If people wanted to show their allegiance what’s wrong with the good old fashioned practice of sticking a fish in your back windoww? Why try to inveigle (word of the day toilet paper) your superstitions into a state approved system?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Well done Judge Currie. Anyone who has travelled around America has probably noticed the alarming number of revolting bumper stickers claiming some bloke is going to save me [from what?] and other such crazy superstitious claims. Worse are the roadside hoardings proclaiming that I shall burn in hell or some other delights.
A small victory this number plate judgement may be, but this is worrying:- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11.....ef=opinion
November 13th, 2009 at 11:53 am
@ Barriejohn
Submitted for your consideration
#1. Rare ban due!
#2. Rue a red ban!
#3. Bar nude area.
#4. A barer nude.
#5. Endear a rub.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
p.s.
A generic one for “Christian Funamentalist”
=
it means fund liars’ chattin’
November 13th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
I came up with some which were even too crude for this site, I fear! How about this one, though?
Christian Fundamentalist = Ah! Daft Cult Trains Me In Sin!!