I like the ACLU but sometimes they get a little over zealous. There's nothing wrong with a religious license plate. I someone has a different religion then a Christian one I think they should have an opportunity to have a plate as well. The ACLU might do well to focus on more important issues of real infringement on our liberties.

Sent by Brandon | 3:01 PM ET | 04-24-2008

So is this the offical death of Church and state?

Sent by audiodramatist | 3:34 PM ET | 04-24-2008

As the article states, this is a specialty license plate, what we folks from Illinois used to call "vanity plates." BTW, Illinois, at one time, led the nation in vanity plates, but I digress.

People pay extra to buy these plates. Now, for what that extra money the "I Believe" plate goes, the article doesn't explicitly say. If the money goes for an explicitly religious enterprise, that could be a thornier issue than what's on the plate.

In any event, this is no more a separation of church and state issue is than with the "Choose Life" vanity plate Florida put out 10 years ago (not surprisingly, the ACLU went to court to try to stop that vanity plate, too --I detect a pattern with them). No one is required to buy an "I Believe" vanity plate anymore than they are required to buy the aforementioned "Choose Life" vanity plate, or, for that matter, the "Save the Panther," "Remember Columbia," or "Go 'Noles" vanity plates, to name but a few of Florida's vanity plates.

Also, is the ACLU's belly so full that they will stop people from getting religious messages written in their vanity plates? Here in San Diego (I'm a transplanted Chicagoan), I see scores of religious messages in people's vanity plates, especially since California allows for the heart sign: "I\/JESUS," "I\/ALLAH," GOD\/SU," "I\/JPII." State employees (i.e., prisoners) made these plates without the sky falling on the First Amendment, thank you very much.

In the end, if you want to waste your money giving more money to the state so that you can have your "I Believe" vanity plate, you're not hurting anyone but yourself. As for me and vanity plates, all I can say is, "Vanitas vanitatum, omnia vanitas."

Sent by Matthew Scallon | 6:15 PM ET | 04-24-2008

yes to Brandon's comment. i someone
can make us look at plates that boast"
' In yo face mo fo" ' and 'Sexy Bunny'
what kind of extremist is going to object to "I believe' and a ross. C'mon we do have free speech here and my car is not government property...neither is my plate, once i buy it....ACLU can fight much tougher battles than this.
wwhitman

Sent by crane glen | 10:52 PM ET | 04-25-2008

When the state specifically designs and offers for sale a license plate that promotes one religion, that is an endorsement of that religion - and to me that's pretty deep in murky waters where it's hard to see a separation of church and state.

I would have a much easier time accepting such a license plate if the cross and stained glass were removed. Or even if the license plate was offered with a choice of religious symbols. And even that would be blurring the lines a bit for me.

Honestly, I really don't understand why people believe the government has any place in the business of promoting religion at all.

Sent by Fat Lady | 12:17 PM ET | 04-27-2008

Separation of church & state anyone??? The US should stop faking the funk & just become a church state. Yeah right.

Sent by Tafari Stevenson-Howard | 12:21 AM ET | 04-29-2008