I have been following the American Civil Liberties Union’s complaint over the new “In God We Trust” license plate. I am inclined to agree with the ACLU. It is a specialized plate. Should there be a $40 fee for this plate as with other specialized plates with $15 going to the state and $25 going to the institution the plate represents, then with the “In God We Trust” plate, the state should get $15 and God should get $25.There are three "normal" license plates that you can order, plus a couple of variations.
These are:
Now, I am religious, I am 190% behind our troops, and I have an unusual affinity for the great state Indiana (even though I don't really like the green plate - this should be solved soon enough). Ok, now here is a new argument - if the state adopted all three are under the "regular" status - then why is the Troops license the only plate that has a $20 group fee?
View all 'Regular' plates HERE
Now, the Troops plate has designated the $20 group fee to go to the 'Military Family Relief Fund' - So as the editorial submits, why doesn't the state designate a fee to God vis-à-vis a specified religious charity? I think this option begs for there to be a creation of some religious, non denominational, not for profit to be created. My guess is if we were charged the $20 for the "In God We Trust" plates, given the religious nature of Hoosiers and the ugliness of the Green Plates, the same amount of people would request them.
Now for my disclaimers.
1. I understand the argument that in fact "In God We Trust" is our National Motto, and not religious.
2. This qualifies as local issues because the man who filed the original law suit is from Allen County.
3. But, all in all, who really cares. Its just a license plate, and I still think the lawsuit is a waste of time and money.
7 comments:
The "In God We Trust" are selling like hotcakes and it isn't because people want to support the national motto.
CFW, you must be drinking the Fort Wayne koolaid.
Anon, you are right. It has nothing to do with the national motto.
Yea, you're right, the green plate is just that ugly.
And I never said that people are getting this plate because people are supporting our National Motto.
I'm saying that it is an argument against the plate being religious in nature.
The God plate should cost the same as the other plates. They can donate the money to a food bank.
This is a highly sensitive topic. But it is one which needs to be addressed and discussed to ensure our country remains a place where people of all faiths are welcome to worship without fear of religious persecution.
By placing “In God We Trust” on the license plates, which is funded by public tax dollars, I fear, we as a nation are moving one step closer to the unification of church and state. If you are a Christian, the controversy over the plate is probably viewed as being overblown or simply a non-issue. But if you are of another faith, or lack their of, the plate could quite possibly be interpreted as the endorsement, by the state, for the religion of Christianity.
Contrary to some beliefs, the phrase which is currently printed on US monetary bills and coins, was not always present. A similar phrase “Under God”, was also inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance during the 1950’s era of McCarthyism. I do not recommend our country endorse any particular religion over another.
Keep in mind, I would have just as much an issue if license plates would be issued with the term “In Allah We Trust”, “In Brahman We Trust”, “In Buddha We Trust “, etc.
Please do not read this as an attack on Christianity. I have many, many friends, even a brother, who is a priest. This is an attempt to maintain the separation of church and state. I feel this not only protects Christians to worship and live their lives free of judgment, but equally important to protect the other minority faiths that are present in the States, who love this country just as much as everyone else does.
I feel that no one religion has exclusive rights to the ideas of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. If we truly are a government “of the People, for the People, by the People”, the separation of church and state is critical to our future.
well said, Andy
I've been hoping for a gay pride plate myself. I think a rainbow color scheme would be nice.
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