Community | April 24, 2008 | 5 comments

Florida considers christian license plate

source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/24/license.plate.ap/index.html?eref=rss_us

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jcwelker
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, Florida would 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.

The "I Believe" license plate still has a way to go before it reaches the roads. The proposal is part of a package of license plates being debated in the Senate and ready for a floor vote. In the House, the bill that would authorize the plate has passed one committee 8-2. The Legislature's annual session ends May 2.

Some lawmakers say the state should be careful. Rep. Kelly Skidmore said she is a Roman Catholic and goes to Mass on Sundays, but she believes the "I Believe" plate is inappropriate for the government to produce.

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5 comments // Florida considers christian license plate

  • Daniel_J
    • 0
      Daniel_J  

    • This is bullshit considering that Florida banned the concept of having an atheist license plate. I don't remember what it said, something like Non-Believer or "it's okay not to believe" ...but still

    • 4 years ago
  • jpfdeuce
  • seeker561
    • 0
      seeker561  

    • "Approval would almost certainly face a court challenge. "

      I wonder if they have a marketing study that shows that the expected revenue will be sufficient to cover the cost of the court challenges.

    • 4 years ago
  • jpfdeuce
    • 0
      jpfdeuce  
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    • There are quite a few ridiculous legislations - such as banning baggy pants and banning "Truck Nutz" - on the legislature's agenda.

      All while they avoid dealing with a huge budget deficit and other economic problems (of their own doing in some cases)

    • 4 years ago
  • Hatcherian
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