Apr 26 2008
Christian license plate in Florida?
[Yahoo]
Florida drivers can order more than 100 specialty license plates celebrating everything from manatees to the Miami Heat, but one now under consideration would be the first in the nation to explicitly promote a specific religion.
The Florida Legislature is considering a specialty plate with a design that includes a Christian cross, a stained-glass window and the words “I Believe.”
Rep. Edward Bullard, the plate’s sponsor, said people who “believe in their college or university” or “believe in their football team” already have license plates they can buy. The new design is a chance for others to put a tag on their cars with “something they believe in,” he said.
If the plate is approved, Floridawould become the first state to have a license plate featuring a religious symbol that’s not part of a college logo. Approval would almost certainly face a court challenge.
The problem with the state manufacturing the plate is that it “sends a message that Florida is essentially a Christian state” and, second, gives the “appearance that the state is endorsing a particular religious preference,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
Read about it here.
[From me]
Come on ACLU. Just when we agreed on something last week you go off and do this. I wouldn’t put one of these on my car but to think that a tag is endorsing a religion is crazy. There are tags for every college and sports team. Now, I don’t want one on my car just because if I’m driving wild I don’t want to be a bad witness. 
What do you think?
13 responses so far
Looks like Florida finally found a way to tax religion.
I don’t like the plate. It looks tacky and it diminishes what it really means to witness for Christ. A lost world is not going to be convinced of His love by a license plate.
This is the kind of thing that plays more to a carnal nature to wield collective might, than a desire to live and love for God in humility.
Chris Knight’s last blog post..Jock Ewing for President
This might sound funny coming from me due to my email addy… I would not want one. I think we can go overboard on trying to “show” others what we believe instead of living of what we believe. There is a difference.
Definitely do not agree that the license plate sends the message Florida is a Christian state and/or endorsing a particular religion. Like you said Kevin, there are all sorts of other license plates. Now, if this became the only one individuals could have/use…. different story altogether. Don’t think that will happen.
Camey’s last blog post..Seravnt Evangelism Tip for April 25, 2008 - Little Things Matter
I do not know the background of how the state of Florida came to the idea of sponsoring a “Christian” plate, but I have a feeling that those who are in favor of it today will be howling in protest when the Muslims or Wiccans get there own plate! This, it seems to me, is “bumber sticker” religion on steriods!
The proposed plate is not very nice to look at. It is very kische.
That aside…
If approved and it survives the Anti Christian Liberties Union kangaroo court appeals then every non-Christian religion will want one.
That means that the Muslims will have an ugly plate, the Hindus will have an ugly plate, the Buddhists will have an ugly plate, the Wiccans will have an ugly plate, the Bahai will have an ugly plate, and Oprah will have an ugly plate.
Scott’s last blog post..We are far less evangelistic ? but too proud (and pragmatic) to admit it.
Chris & Camey,
Just out of curiosity, do you have the Ichthys symbol on your cars (a.k.a.the “Jesus Fish”)?
A3,
Nope.
Camey’s last blog post..Seravnt Evangelism Tip for April 25, 2008 - Little Things Matter
The only way to make this a non-issue is to make sure other religions can have a plate as well. It’s along the lines of “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.” The ACLU has a point on this one. If FL only allows Christians to have a specialized religious plate, they are discriminating against other religions.
If I was in FL, I would be highly ticked that my government was doing something purely to pander to one side knowing full well it was going to cost serious money to defend in court and they would probably lose in the end.
We have a similar “religious” plate here in Indiana that actually doesn’t look half bad. It says, “In God We Trust” against the state symbol on an attractive blue background.
I don’t have one.
And this plate does indeed endorse Christianity. Whatever flavor you like, the cross image covers them all.
tysdaddy’s last blog post..Motley Crew
Our Alabama plates have “In God We Trust” on them over an American flag motif if you want that style. It’s one of two standard plates. No one is “forced” to choose the “In Go We Trust” plate. Since I have a Samford plate, I don’t have to choose between either one. To my knowledge, our plate hasn’t been challenged in court. If it has, it made so little splash I missed it entirely.
I don’t think I would put one of these on my car, not because I disagree with the message but because I think it tends to label the driver (http://blogs.pioneerlocal.com/religion). Actions speak louder than words.
I don’t think the state of FL would mind if ANY and ALL religions had their own vanity plates! Why would they? That’s just more money in their pockets to display our vanity!
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..When a Kiss is More Than a Kiss
Steve: Bingo!!!
3A: No I don’t have one and never plan to.
My wife works at the Indiana BMV (no stones please) and she is not allowed to suggest the plate but to list it was one if someone asks what is available.
Bill (cycleguy)’s last blog post..Your Overwhelming First