Judge Strikes Down Christian License Plate

South Carolina's "I Believe" license plate that features an image of a cross in front of a stained-glass window has been ruled unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie said the specialty license plate was motivated by a purpose to advance a specific religion and has the effect of state endorsement of Christianity.

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, praised the decision, commenting, "Government must never be allowed to express favored treatment for one faith over others. That’s unconstitutional and un-American."

State lawmakers had unanimously passed legislation last summer authorizing the plates. Republican Senator Lawrence K. Grooms, one of the sponsors of the bill, said he didn't see a constitutional problem with it, noting that the state issued plates with other religious symbols and phrases.

Critics, however, said the new law was a violation of the separation of church and state. Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit on behalf of four local clergy who felt the legislation isolated other faith groups.

Judge Currie issued a preliminary injunction in December, halting the production of the plate.

In her ruling Tuesday, she issued a permanent injunction, saying the case presents "a textbook example of the need for and continued vitality of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment." Full Story

South Carolina could have probably made a boatload of money on those if they wanted to. Lots of people would be willing to pay a huge premium to show their faith on their state license plate.

Article the third [Amendment I] of the U.S. Constitution

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

I always get confused how the above amendment outlaws praying in school, posting the Ten Commandments in a courtroom, having a manger scene on the lawn of city hall and now having a cross on a license plate.  The amendment clearly states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or peohibiting the free excercise thereof".  Why is that so hard for the liberals to understand?  It's easy enough for a fifth grader to understand (which is where I first heard about it in elementary school).

The Constitution was written, and agreed to, by men that had come to this land to escape persecution from their governments because they did not agree with the national religion.  We don't stop Muslims, Hindus, Budhists or any other religion from practising their religions. 

I can not understand how intelligent jurists cannot understand this amendment and enact laws prohibiting anything to do with Christianity in public places.