http://news.aol.com/story/_a/state-o...028x1200410148

Is this a breach in the wall between Church and State?

unless the state of south carolina has officially adopted one particular sect of christianity as its official state religion, i don't think there is anything to fuss about. same with prayer in schools. our forefathers would be rolling over in their graves!

Tal: one word .... Yes!

I think that religion is a deeply private matter. Personally I think that the Cross of Jesus deserves more respect than to be hot pressed onto a license plate. This definitely crosses the line.

If it were required on every plate and you had no choice if you lived there, it would cross the line. However this is something you must pay to get and something you must chose to get. In VA I can get plates with birds, flowers, a bay crab, Virginia Tech, UVA, and many others. So no this crosses no line, just another way states grow revenue.

I can't say I like it -- do they give people of other religions choices? Is there a Star of David? A crescent? At the same time, it's not mandatory and some people really do have a need to flaunt their religion, not something I've ever understood but that's my problem. Be interesting to see who courts rule on this when it hits that stage.

I can understand (maybe) birds, animals, trees. Whats next the elephant or donkey? May a swatskika?? If you have a cross why cant i have what i want. This is American freedom of speech - etc

I would be against the SC license plate with a Christian cross. Church and state should be separate.

I remember when the fight occurred on the "Live Free or Die" stamped onto New Hampshire license plates. That also was court-challenged as a "religious statement" by a couple of historically "Conscientious Objector" groups. They lost.

In this day and age, the states have just gotten into the bumper-sticker business via license plates as a revenue enhancement scheme. Whether it's a sports team, college, military service, radio call sign or cause, it can be gotten on a license tag as long as it is not "profane" and enough people are willing to pay the costs (determined by marketing, not philosophy). It's not mandatory, and comes with a higher fee (to cover tooling, manufacture, distribution and profit).

Considering what I've seen stuck on car bumpers and trunks, it is subtle and definitely a matter of personal choice. Call it what it is - automotive jewelry!

I'm not a Constititional lawyer so when I read some of the posts mentioning separation of church and state I believe things get confusing when I read....

The separation of church and state is a legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptists, where Jefferson spoke of the combined effect of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment."

So I don't get it, when separation of church and state is cited as reason for being against something like a Cross on a license plate, and the free exercise part of the Amendment is never mentioned. I believe the intent was to prevent the establishment of a Government favored religion and not to prevent the free exercise.

Wonder how Candidate Barrack Obama, a Consitutional Lawyer would respond to this issue?

Wonder how Candidate Barrack Obama, a Consitutional Lawyer would respond to this issue?
hancle704 most (sorry all) lawyers get paid for there advice - why dont you sent Candidate Barrack Obama a check and maybe he will answer

Chel with what you wrote.

Originally Posted by chelsea24

I think that religion is a deeply private matter. Personally I think that the Cross of Jesus deserves more respect than to be hot pressed onto a license plate. This definitely crosses the line.

HB

Originally Posted by Taltarzac

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/state-o...028x1200410148

Is this a breach in the wall between Church and State?

I think it's great!!

I agree with Chels. I try to ignore such things because I also believe religion is a private matter. Some of the stickers on cars are so offensive one knows right away the type driving the car. Just my tho'ts.

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Wonder how Candidate Barrack Obama, a Consitutional Lawyer would respond to this issue?
hancle704 most (sorry all) lawyers get paid for there advice - why dont you sent Candidate Barrack Obama a check and maybe he will answer

If you read the other posts and the replies you might have realized that I am not looking to hire a lawyer. I am being asked to vote for a President and my point here was not a matter of casting stones at Senator Obama, and I have read that he studied and taught Constitutional Law. And while "most" lawyers get paid for their advice, I think they change that when they decide to run for public office.

I guess my comments reflect that I have a difference with some folks who base their argument on "separation of Church and State", but lose sight of the freedom of expression part of the Amendment. I'm sorry if you thought this was an attack on Candidate Obama.