December 9, 2011
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Blog
Tags: church and state, Religious Freedom

Ask Yourself This

As we reported yesterday, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board voted to approve the “Calvary Hill” specialty license plate, which includes the words “One State Under God” and three crosses on a hill:

Just a little thought experiment — do you think the DMV board’s vote would have gone the same way if the proposed design looked like this:

Or this:

Or this:

I’m skeptical.

And I’m even more skeptical that the lobbyist for Focus on the Family-Texas would be in the papers arguing that the state should authorize those plates:

“Private speech, protected by the First Amendment, should not be subjected to second-class treatment. Anyone who opposed this plate either doesn’t know the law or has no respect for the First Amendment.”

But if this really is about the First Amendment, what’s the difference?

17 thoughts on “Ask Yourself This”

  1. Obviously if they have one they should have all, including one for atheists.
    So, let the lawsuits begin.

  3. Many of the confused youngsters that joined the Manson family thought Charles Manson was God. I was not a member of the Manson family myself but I could have been. And so I’d like a One Nation Under Charlie plate. And in case that gets damaged or stolen I’d like a One Nation Under David Koresh plate as a back-up. His followers also thought he was God. I wasn’t a follower of Koresh but I’ve been to Waco a few times so I feel I’m well qualified.

  4. It wouldn’t offend me at all if people had tags with their religion symbol on it. I’m a Christian, and last I checked we have freedom of religion and we also have freedom to express our views in America. No one should have to be ashamed of or hide their views.

    1. True enough, Christine. That’s why every American is completely free to buy the little Christian fish — or Darwin fish — and put it on the bumper of his or her car. Nobody is disputing that right. The state picking and choosing which faith to promote on a license plate? That’s a different story.

  5. Ryan says it all. Who gave the board the right to spend our money as they chose and to support something that not everyone may not support. If this is the case how about a “gay” flag next to the American Flag.

  6. Christine, if they offer a christian license plate…then as a non-religious government they need to offer a license plate for ALL religions. Muslim, Jewish, B’hai, Hindu, FSM etc.

  11. My religion-themed plates would feature a middle finger salute, with the slogan, “None of the Above!” And, I would use them right after having my car bullet-proofed.

  14. Hmmm. Ed, I think you’re on to something.

    (Yul Brynner voice) “As it is written, so let it be done.”