God Is My Co-Pilot, It's On My Number Plate

That whole church/state separation thing is working out really well in Florida.

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."

Ask Rep. Edward Bullard, the man behind the plan, what the Establishment Clause is, and he'll probably come up empty-headedhanded. As for the rest of the First Amendment, nope, the poor guy still hasn't a clue:

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.

A principled man, he.

OK then, fine, no atheist version — but special license plates for Flat Earthers (motto: "Like a Pancake. Really.") and for Muslims ("Hit Me, I Can Use the Virgins") should definitely be considered.

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UPDATE: Strangely, the plan has hit a snag. Marc Randazza has more.

Comments

[Hermes Ten]

You'd have to be sort of a crazy atheist to tell every Florida stranger on a road or highway that you're a non-believer. If there is anyplace in this country that kind of license plate wouldn't be asking for trouble it's not in the South, much less Florida.

The Bible beaters in this country get a free pass. In my entire life I've never had an atheist approach me in a public place to spread the good word about there being no god. However, I'm regularly accosted --5 times in the last month alone-- in parking lots by wacky Christians spreading the glory of their infantile religion with cultist like fervor (and come to think of it, I've never been accosted by a Catholic, a Muslim or a Jew spreading the Word).

Hey, that's free speech. Fine. But if an atheist was cruising parking lots haranguing the true believers about the fact that god does not exist he'd be told to move along or get arrested --assuming he didn't get beaten first by a gang of the lovin' Christian god's followers.

[Kid Handsome]

I guess there just aren't very many atheist evangelists out there to spread the word.

What about an agnostic's license plate? Can we fit "I'm almost reasonably certain that there may just be a higher power out there even though I don't know what that means, and I think you should probably maybe consider the possibility that there is a GOD, but don't worry if you can't quite bring yourself to actually believe because I'm right there with you, sort of."

[Martin Owens]

The establishment clause of the First Amendment is much misunderstood. It does not rule out any and all expression of religious sentiment. Instead, it was designed to prevent a repeat of what we had experienced as a colony of England. This was the standard situation in Europe and Asia, where there was an official church to which everyone was supposed to belong, and which received a cut of the official monies and a voice in the government. If you weren't a member, too bad for you.

I see nothing wrong with a "Christian" license plate, so long as other folks have their chance to fly their own respective colors. (Although I really doubt that the Jews would line up to mark all their cars with a Star of David!)

But the smart thing for government to do would be to bow out of this situation altogether. Allow someone else to make these specialty license plates, in return for a fee to the state coffers. Then, if the sales of Christian license plates exceed the sales of Buddhist or Wiccan plates,that's just the market at work. No one will be able to accuse the government of backing any religious group for profit.

[Rogier]

Martin:

We already know that Rep. Bullard would oppose the release of an atheist license plate. I don't think Florida will be offering a plate for Muslims anytime soon, either. This initiative just needlessly opens up a can of worms.

I have two words for people of ANY religious faith who want to affix something to their car to flaunt their beliefs: BUMPER STICKER.

As usual, the state should stay out of this game. In fact, I think that sentiment should be on the seal of every last public office in the United States, as a reminder to the officials (and they should swear an oath to it too): "If possible, stay out of it."

[George Arndt]

Religious expression for me but not for thee, huh? Only those who believe in "state approved" religions need apply.

[Dave]

Personally I'm in favor of letting anyone put just about anything on a license plate from a pot leaf to a condom or a cross. It's not like the state endorses any of this crap, it's a revenue generation system and it's voluntary. At least the state made a couple of bucks without holding a gun to someone's head.