Judge Halts Religious License Plates

A federal judge in Columbia, South Carolina, has temporarily stopped the state from making and issuing license plates featuring a stained glass emblem with a cross on it and the words “I Believe.”   

Granting a request from a group that had argued the plates showed an unconstitutional preference toward Christianity, U.S. District Judge Currie ordered the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to stop taking any more orders for the plates until the court reaches a final decision.  Although over 400 plates are in production, none have been shipped. 

In April, 2008, the bill establishing the license plate was overwhelmingly passed by the South Carolina Legislature.  Even the Lt. Governor displays the “I Believe” tag on his official website stating that the tags reflect South Carolina’s values. 

In June, the Americans United for Separation of Church and State (Washington, D.C.) filed a lawsuit stating the plates send a message that South Carolina is endorsing religion, and therefore, the plates violate the separation of church and state. 

State Attorney General Henry McMaster stated, “I am extremely disappointed in the court’s ruling, and feel the ‘I Believe’ license tag is completely constitutional.  I will strongly urge and recommend that the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Corrections immediately appeal this decision to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.”   

This effort to halt production of the “I Believe” license plates is yet another attempt to strip religion from the public and silence those who wish to share their faith.  Advocates for Faith and Freedom is committed to fighting this type of incorrect interpretation of the First Amendment and ensure the right to religious freedom for all Americans under the Constitution. 

This information is provided by Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a non-profit religious law firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty in the courts!  To help us in our ongoing battle for religious freedom, click here to donate to Advocates.