News, In Indiana, a fight over 'In God We Trust' license plates. (church, quote)

[John1960]

In Indiana, the extra fee for specialty tags doesn't apply to one that invokes the divine. Critics go to court.

FORT WAYNE, IND. — When Mark Studler was renewing his specialty license plate recently, which touts his support of environmental issues, he expected to pay the annual premium of $40 to the state.

After all, he wanted to express his love of the great outdoors every time he hit the highways — and liked that $25 of the fee was donated to the Indiana Heritage Trust, a state conservation group.

But he objected to a new license plate that he felt also qualified as a specialty plate — one with the motto "In God We Trust" — but didn't require a premium. Not even the $15 extra fee that usually goes to the state for administrative costs.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...track=ntothtml

[dreameyes]

I could maybe see why someone would be upset at the fact that those with this license plate wouldn't have to pay the extra fee. I think they should, it's a specialty plate just like others. However my guess is that is not the only reason. I'm sure you could put an expletive on the plate and noone would care but even mention God and you're in hot water!

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by dreameyes

I could maybe see why someone would be upset at the fact that those with this license plate wouldn't have to pay the extra fee. I think they should, it's a specialty plate just like others. However my guess is that is not the only reason. I'm sure you could put an expletive on the plate and noone would care but even mention God and you're in hot water!

That is not true. They do look for inappropriate requests. In fact, in Ohio a woman who had a plate for over ten years with her business initials (North Woods Tree Farm = NWTF ) was told she couldn't' have it anymore because it's a now considered vulgar. I don't even consider that bad, but they did.

They can all the In God We Trust plates they want, but why can't Christians play by the same rules as everyone else? The second that someone tries to hold Christians to the same rules as everyone else they scream martyrdom.

[dreameyes]

Well I kinda meant the expletive thing in jest. I don't really believe you could have that on a licsense plate. But are you really trying to compare a licsense plate that praises God to one that is verbally inappropriate??

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by dreameyes

Well I kinda meant the expletive thing in jest. I don't really believe you could have that on a licsense plate. But are you really trying to compare a licsense plate that praises God to one that is verbally inappropriate??

I am not.....you muddied the waters with the idea that swearing on plates would be allowed.

What I am saying is that if special plates have a fee attached to them, that Christians should pay the same darn fee that everyone else is to have what they want.

No special rules simply because you are Christian, and it does upset me that Christians then scream bloody murder when they are forced to follow the same rules as everyone else.

[chele11]

Yanno, while I realize this thread is almost 4 years old...I gotta respond and hope someone else catches it.

It amazes me how our government is supposed to uphold keeping church and state separate and yet, never manage to do so.

I have freedom of speech. If I want to say on my license plate - God Sucks, there are those who might find that vulgar and offensive. It's my RIGHT to say what I want, whether it offends someone - tough. My license plate isn't affiliated in any way that would allow someone to be "harassed" by definition of the sexual harassment laws (including being offensive in specific environments, like places of employment). Therefore, if I wanted to have such a license plate, that should be my RIGHT.

It's never wrong when a Christian gets their way. It's only those of us who constantly buck the system (religion) who are (mis)construed as wrong.

and yes, I AM comparing a "praise god" license plate to one that (others) may find inappropriate. It was inappropriate to say dang or darn a couple of decades ago but now, the alternative is acceptable. It was inappropriate for a woman to show an ankle at the turn of (last) century but now... well, we know what the girls wear now, right.

I find it highly suspect that people are so closed minded that they can't see past their own prejudice and move past this GOD CRAP and realize that NOT EVERYONE BELIEVES AS THEY DO!

What if my license plate said: "I believe in god, just not yours." Is that ok? Of course it is, because as long as I believe in something, it's ok. Such crap. Utter and indecipherable CRAP.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by chele11

I find it highly suspect that people are so closed minded that they can't see past their own prejudice and move past this GOD CRAP and realize that NOT EVERYONE BELIEVES AS THEY DO!

Exactly right! Or as the license plates in New Hampshire declare, Live Free or Die.

[Charles22]

Originally Posted by chele11

I have freedom of speech.

Buy a bumper sticker.

[QuixoticHobbit]

Originally Posted by dreameyes

I could maybe see why someone would be upset at the fact that those with this license plate wouldn't have to pay the extra fee. I think they should, it's a specialty plate just like others. However my guess is that is not the only reason. I'm sure you could put an expletive on the plate and noone would care but even mention God and you're in hot water!

Last time I checked, there was separation of church and state, not separation of "foul" language and state

If you want to mention your God on your plate you should pay extra just like everyone else does for a personalized plate.

[Melvin.George]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

That is not true. They do look for inappropriate requests. In fact, in Ohio a woman who had a plate for over ten years with her business initials (North Woods Tree Farm = NWTF ) was told she couldn't' have it anymore because it's a now considered vulgar. I don't even consider that bad, but they did.

They can all the In God We Trust plates they want, but why can't Christians play by the same rules as everyone else? The second that someone tries to hold Christians to the same rules as everyone else they scream martyrdom.

The best example being their exclusion from the IRS. It's an outright shame that the 10% Christians donate to the church is deductible and the church turns right around and uses the money to run a small business which is also exempted from taxes. Christians get away with breaking ordinary, sensible rules which should apply to every citizen when the percentage of their donations which ends up with charity or the needy is miniscule when compared to the amount which is not. That is one thing which should be changed. The church should be required to prove that a certain portion of the money is used for real charity and that amount is all that should qualify for exemption for both the church and the members.