Florida lawmakers debate offering a Christian license plate

[OCBuckWife]

MIAMI (AP) - 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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My favorite part? The last line, a quote from the man proposing the ban. Free speech, but only for some!

Bullard, the plate's sponsor, isn't sure all groups should be able to express their preference. If atheists came up with an "I Don't Believe" plate, for example, he would probably oppose it.

[Buckeneye]

Its a license plate, seriously... are you people out of your [censored]ing minds!!
Do you have to have anything and everything creative and custom or must no stone go unturned?

Whats gonna happen when the cop get the plate after you pass by going 10 over... "oh, its a jesus plate, I'll let him slide"

[censored] these yuppies. I say no custom plate designs should be allowed period, that should shut everybody up.

[Fungo Squiggly]

Look how holy I am. I've got a license plate.

Seems to me the money could be better spent helping those in need.

[OCBuckWife]

Originally Posted by Bucky Katt

Seems to me the money could be better spent helping those in need.

Actually.......

The bill creating the "I Believe" plate would also create an "In God We Trust" plate to benefit the children of soldiers and law enforcement officers whose parents have died.

[buckeyefool]

Originally Posted by Buckeneye

Its a license plate, seriously... are you people out of your [censored]ing minds!!
Do you have to have anything and everything creative and custom or must no stone go unturned?

Whats gonna happen when the cop get the plate after you pass by going 10 over... "oh, its a jesus plate, I'll let him slide"

[censored] these yuppies. I say no custom plate designs should be allowed period, that should shut everybody up.

calm down no reason to get that upset about a license plate.

I can see the concern that some in the state have, once you open it up to one group like this it will open the flood gates. Just tell people to be happy buying the frames that go around you plate

[OCBuckWife]

I don't actually care if someone wants to customize their plate to scream to the world they are Christian. In California we have the option for a "Save the Whales" plate but not an option for the other 288 endangered and threatened species. Why are fing whales so much more important!? Polluting the ocean with their NOISE. Sheesh.

The money for the plate is slated for some charity, that's good too. Obviously, a Christian plate fee will go towards a Christian charity. Fine.

What cheeses me off about it is the assumption that any other religion isn't good enough for the same treatment. I do believe in separation of church and state but I also admit that it has long ago ceased being a clear boundry. It's a bit late to whinge about that now. Equal time, however, that is perfectly possible and the fact that the prevailing opinion is "I would oppose an atheist plate" makes me angry.