Comments on: Pray as you drive. But a state license plate?

By: jstanaka

jstanaka — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:29:55 +0000

It's optional!!! Just like abortion!!! Options!! America is freeeeee~

The government SHOULD be secular, of course. But how is a license plate any different from a bumper sticker, really? It goes on your car, it makes a statement, some people love it, some people hate it. The only difference is the supplier - the state has offered to endorse your beliefs, in a way. This goes back to the "In God we Trust" issue and the issue with that one line in the Pledge. As long as we're given options, people can make as many religious license plates, curtains, bedspreads and doormats as they want. Just don't start forcing them on me - do that, and I'll start screaming.

By: minta

minta — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:35:12 +0000

I think there is a famous quote somewhere that says:

"South Carolina is too small to be considered a republic and too large to be considered an insane asylum.

With regard to the license plates......honestly, consider the source. What do you expect.

Friends-fear runs wild and deep in this state.

By: DNB-New Hampshire

DNB-New Hampshire — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:28:34 +0000

Ever heard of the concept of seperation of church and state? It is oneof our founding priciples. Now, more and more, that line is being blurred and crossed. As it does, our basic freedoms become more and more endangered. Wake up people!

By: Duncan

Duncan — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:09:15 +0000

People need to learn what the seperation of church and state is, this has nothing to do with church, it has to do with choice, even with religon we have the choice to decide if we want to believe or no, the choice to decide if we want abortion or life, choice is what it is about!!!!

By: Duncan

Duncan — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:04:54 +0000

Yes, the first amendment, we do need to understand that it is about the freedom of religion, and that includes all religions not just one, we all should have the freedom to believe as we indevidually wish! and the right to express our belifes, but we should remember that the others have that same right, except that and move forward to a beter way of life.

By: JLPair

JLPair — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:46:31 +0000

This is an option and not forced on anyone. South Carolina has a large variety of plates which includes Colleges, Support Our Troops, In God We Trust, NASCAR, Sons of Confederate Veterans and many more. There is a possibility there will always be a negative opinion or controversal issue on any of the plates. The "I Believe" plates will be on personal vehicles and is not forcing religion on anyone.

By: Brenda Langston

Brenda Langston — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:30:29 +0000

As a South Carolina native I can safely say that this state has been the one to push constitutional limits to the edge. This is the same state that had to remove the Confederate flag from the Capital. Why would anyone want to keep a flag up or a license plate that would offend anyone else? It is not being PC it is simply being considerate of others.

Our constitution was written to 1) protect us from a state established religion and 2) to protect us from a government that forgets they are to serve the people and not expect the people to serve them. Bottom line...the state has NO business placing any religious symbols, saying or anything on STATE property which the license plates actually are.

By: EJ (USA)

EJ (USA) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:47:19 +0000

So I guess the answer is "no" – you would not consider marrying me even if you were single Jeffrey? Well its ok – I can take the rejection.

By: Jo Anne Cummings

Jo Anne Cummings — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:32:16 +0000

I always found it strange that in Florida we have anti-abortion plates, but no pro-abortion plates. South Carolina has I believe plates but no I don't believe plates....choice you say!!! NOT.

By: Mari, Salt Lake City

Mari, Salt Lake City — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:59:57 +0000

FREEDOM. People have the FREEDOM to do as they like, even if its a state license plate with a Christian symbol.

I have a license plate that has a Bible verse number on it. There is separation of church and state (well maybe not in UT but that's another story).

Of course, once states allow Christian symbols, it opens the door to everything........ even, a swastika! Scary.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:33:16 +0000

Of course we have Muslim schools, as well as Christian Schools and Buddhist schools. The key idea here is that these are private institutions. License plates do not come from private institutions, they come from our States so the separation of church and state needs to apply.

By: Jim-

Jim- — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:06:28 +0000

I think we have a LOT bigger problems like Banks Going Under,Price of Gas Going Up,Stock market going Down, We have people who have lost or are loosing there homes from flood, fire, & the mortgage
melt down & some moron is bellyaching about whats on a stupid liscense plate?????

By: Aaron-Hawesville,KY

Aaron-Hawesville,KY — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:15:37 +0000

Constitutional!Where's my America.We can have Muslim schools but we can't have a cross on our plate.

By: jackie

jackie — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:41:44 +0000

As a South Carolinian, I find this idea most offensive. As many others have noted, other religions deserve their own plate if this one is allowed. My biggest problem is it is receiving support from politicians like our lieutenant gov, Andre Bauer, who is willing to front the $4000 for the tags. Bauer is known for his abuse of power, identifying himself as "SC-2" when he breaks the law, while reprimanding police for doing their job. It's politics as usual in a state where our own governor refuses to send his kids to public schools and politicians are suddenly religious in an election year. Why can't they devote their time to an important issue?

By: Michael Lane

Michael Lane — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:28:34 +0000

I wonder if the folks in South Carolina would have any problem with a plate with a cross with a big X through it and a plate saying "I don't believe"........

By: Michael Lane

Michael Lane — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:26:42 +0000

Religions icons of any type should not be a part of any city, county, local, federal, state or any form of government in the United States. Leave religion and its icons to the houses of worship. The government should be secular.

By: Chris, San Francisco / Zurich

Chris, San Francisco / Zurich — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:07:40 +0000

Wow, Debbie, NJ:
These kind of sentiments blinded by your very personal perception of history is part of what flabbergasts many of your fellow Americans – and many more peoples from around the world.
I would easily counter that our ability to keep any specific religion's influence detached from any form of government and government-supported (read: public) education is exactly one of the greatest strengths that has allowed the United States of America to gain prominence in more than just worldly economic forums, but also (and now recently to a lesser extent, due in no small part to religion of every kind playing too large a role in politics) worldly political forums.
The melting pot of morals and ideals that formed the basis for success for our country and it's laws is undeniably more diffuse today than ever, which of course makes it more difficult to accomodate everyone's belief systems so easily without offense. However I believe that once again and, indeed, continuously going through the difficult process of picking and choosing the most universal and inclusive views for all of our government-related decisions will give us the flexibility to always be locally true representatives of our own communities and globally agile, compassionate, and truly well-respected amongst both our peers and detractors.
Please, my fellow American citizens, release the chains of any specific religious beliefs from the freedom which truly represents our people: the freedom to rule ourselves as a nation of individuals capable of respecting each other's individuality yet working together for the common good; not as a nation of divisive subgroups squabbling for political attention amongst ourselves. Only then can we continue to progress and retain any form of positive progess and respect amongst our fellow humans the world over.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:52:43 +0000

South Carolina as part of the union called the United States of America ratified the constitution. It states that Congress shall not establish a state religion.

These license plates being offered by South Carolina are symbols of Christianity.

According to how I read the constitution, this should be unconstitutional.

Susan
Phoenixville,PA

By: JC- Los Angeles

JC- Los Angeles — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:28:48 +0000

After eight deplorable years of a Presidential regime that failed to separate church and state, it's time for religion to be embraced on a personal rather than national level.

I find it fascinating that years after we invaded the Middle East, our governmental cabinet still does not reflect leaders who have an inherent understanding of the regions religious dynamics.

First seek to understand, then to be understood; seems like a good starting point if not seven years too late.

By: Victor in Saanich, B.C. Canada

Victor in Saanich, B.C. Canada — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:07:41 +0000

Keep religion out of the politics of the nation!! PERIOD!!
State license plates should be simply an ID for the vehicle and not a statement of one's personal belief!!
What is next?? A burning cross and a noose for the KKK/ Aryan types!!!