S.C. Residents To Purchase Faith-Based License Plates
Published: June 10, 2008
South Carolina drivers are now thanks to a new measure passed by the state legislature, able to purchase license plates that display and represent their faith.
Above is a sample of proposed S.C. faith-based license plate
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Residents will be able to purchase license plates engrained with the words "I Believe" alongside the image of a cross and stained glass church window.
While support for the new measure was unanimous among lawmakers, critics believe new law is a violation of the separation of church and state.
In April, a nearly identical measure to create "I Believe" plates died in Florida after lawmakers found themselves divided over the issue.
Americans United spokesman Joe Conn says, "The Legislature is clearly favoring Christianity over other faiths, and that violates the separation of church and state and basic fairness."
"Under our Constitution, government must never favor one religion over others," he added.
South Carolina Senator Lawrence K. Grooms, a Republican and one of the sponsors of the bill, disagrees.
"I didn't see a constitutional problem with it," he explained to The New York Times.
"We have other plates with religious symbols on them and phrases like ‘In God We Trust.' Just because it's a cross, some very closed-minded people don't believe it should be on a plate," he added.
Lawmakers in support of the new measure said there would be no difference than the other 200 different license plates that South Carolina residents currently have the option of choosing from.
Republican Gov. Mark Sanford agrees. "It is my personal view that the largest proclamation of one's faith ought to be in how one lives one's life," he said.
Proceeds from the plates will not benefit any organization.
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S.C. Residents To Purchase Faith-Based License Plates
Published: June 10, 2008
Unanimous vote in favor of South Carolina "I Believe" license plates by state lawmakers
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