SC law permits Christian license plates

CNN: South Carolina’s legislature last month passed a law that would permit drivers to obtain a Christian license plate with the words “I Believe” accompanying a cross and a stained glass window. Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed suit in federal court, saying that the license plate law gives preferential treatment to the Christian faith.

The law reads: “The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue ‘I Believe’ special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private motor vehicles registered in their names. The plate must contain the words ‘I Believe’ and a cross superimposed on a stained glass window. The biennial fee for this special license plate is the same as the fee provided in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. The guidelines for the production of this special license plate must meet the requirements contained in Section 56-3-8100.”

Americans United executive director Rev. Barry W. Lynn said that these license plates “will not see the light of day” as they give preference to one religion over all others.

South Carolina permits any organization to get special license plates with 400 prepaid applications for the special plate or $4,000 from the individual or organization requesting the plates.

Editorial: South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has said he is willing to pony up the $4,000 for the plates (another entanglement between church and state?). Interestingly, South Carolina also had a law permitting “Choose Life” license plates, with fees going to crisis pregnancy support programs, and explicitly NOT to “any agency, institution, or organization that provides, promotes, or refers for abortion.” In fact, South Carolina is one of 17 states (according to Guttmacher) with “Choose Life” plates, but the law has been permanently enjoined (see Planned Parenthood v. Rose, 361 F.3d 786 (4CA 2004)).