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In God We Trust License Plates

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by hycamguy07, Jan 18, 2008.

  1. lesturner

    lesturner Taming the Dragon - Tennessee

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    I have the IGWT plate on my Prius as well... In Indiana, most any organization or group can petition the state to have a 'vanity plate' by collecting enough signatures on a petition. Its a matter of money...

    Maybe I should be offended that all the other organizations are getting revenue from the state and God is not... Indiana would be better off if they charged extra for the IGWT plate and just set God's check aside each month for when he is ready to pick it up. Maybe it would fix our property tax issues (at least till the second coming)...

    I have always wondered how anyone could read the establishment clause of the constitution and believe that establishing law and precedent that keeps people from the free practice of their respective religion is acceptable (even in the public square). Somehow we have lost touch with the America where everyone compromises for the betterment of society to a group of individuals that feel like they should be able to get their way all the time.

    Enough of the soapbox... I like the license plate, I would have paid extra for it. If you want a different one, start collecting signatures, or simply choose a different plate when you're at the BMV counter...

    Les ---
     
  2. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Would you apply this equally to all religions? Can you see the point of view that any blatant declaration of belief, such as is found on US money and many licence plates, is offensive to those of other beliefs?
     
  3. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

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    Yes I can.
     
  4. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

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    Exactly
     
  5. lesturner

    lesturner Taming the Dragon - Tennessee

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    I do believe that applies to all religions equally. The intent of the establishment clause was in response to the Church of England being the government established church to the detriment of others.

    I tend not to be offended by the symbolism of other religions (or lack thereof) wherever posted. I do have a problem with organizations such as the ACLU telling me where, when, and what I can believe.

    The Judeo-Christian heritage is a significant part of the history of this country. There is no reason why it shouldn't be recognized on currency, buildings, and in our history books. It would be different if you had to believe in God to use the money, but I've never had anyone ask me.

    I would no more expect an Arab country to remove references to Allah from it's public buildings and currency either. It is part of their heritage and history.

    I do believe that public properties should have the ability to display religious symbolism as long as equal access is available to all. Making laws to eliminate such displays of any religion is simply unconstitutional.

    It also seems that the Christian symbolism is singled out for attack.

    Appreciate the opportunity for intelligent dialog,

    Later!
     
  6. Stev0

    Stev0 Honorary Hong Kong Cavalier

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    If you don't like people telling you where, when, and what you can believe, you should support the ACLU. On the other hand, if you want to live in a country where one religion is crammed down everyone else's throat, feel free to move to Iran.

    White people are a significant part of the history of this country, yet I don't see anyone proposing putting "White people are better than everybody else!" on our currency. Putting "In God We Trust" is basically the same as putting "Hey, Hindus! You SUCK!" on it.

    That's because they're the only ones trying to cram their religion down everyone else's throat in this country.
     
  7. TJandGENESIS

    TJandGENESIS Are We Having Fun Yet?

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    The ACLU likes to have it both ways. It will support you on both sides of this argument. And if you want to live in a country where sometimes liberal and conservative ideas are shoved down your throat, feel free to move to the USA.

    No it's not. It's a view that a lot of conservative types believe in, but I have yet to hear them say that the Hindi suck.

    Not unlike the Mormans. Or the Muslims in some areas. Any religion can be seen as being crammed down a throat, so to speak, especially if you don't agree with it.

    I don't agree with everyone else all the time, but I won't tell them what to believe in; I don't like it when others do it to me. Seems that you have to have it both ways: You have to let others have their beliefs if you are going to want to have yours.

    Seems fair to me.
     
  8. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    But, as soon as one religion is formally 'endorsed', whether it's on a building or a currency, all others are excluded. With so many competing beliefs, I'm not sure equal access is possible. As 'unconstitutional' as it sounds, eliminating all overt, public references is the only way to ensure fairness.
     
  9. jammin012

    jammin012 The man behind The Man

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    Are you serious? How long have you lived there? Just take a look around and you should be able to answer that question quite easily. Took me 18 years to escape. Don't get me wrong, there are some really nice, caring, warm, inviting, hospitable idiots that live there. I've been wondering about that motto since I was 15.
     
  10. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Seems fair to me, too. I put it this way: You have the right to believe in whatever you want, however weird and wonderful it sounds to me, as long as you grant me the same right. Otherwise, we have no rights, and no freedoms. Not that we're any closer to knowing who's really right. ;)
     
  11. jammin012

    jammin012 The man behind The Man

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    BTW Welcome to the Bible Belt.
     
  12. Hobbs

    Hobbs New Member

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    untitled.JPG
    At least US number plates are more colourful than ours. Ours are boring. And we have to have them on the back and front. :(

    (Just in case IsrAmeriPrius is reading this, colourful is spelt correctly.)
     
  13. MegansPrius

    MegansPrius GoogleMeister, AKA bongokitty

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    Well that's just wrong. Why didn't the ACLU file a lawsuit in North Carolina or Louisiana, which both also offer "In God We Trust" as a specialty plate? Because both those states charge the standard specialty plate fee, that's why. The ACLU has not filed suit in any state that charges the standard specialty plate fee for for "In God We Trust" on a license plate. They did file suit in Alabama, over its decision to waive the standard additional fee for its "God Bless America" plate.
     
  14. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    BAD EXAMPLE.

    "In God We Trust" isn't offensive to Hindi . . . they have many Gods in which they trust. :)
     
  15. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    That is exactly the way I originally learned how to spell that word. :cool:
     
  16. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    haven't seen a single one yet in nearly 4 years. i had to look it up to see what they looked like!
     
  17. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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  18. Stev0

    Stev0 Honorary Hong Kong Cavalier

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    You see? You just proved it's a great example! If they want to say it better, they should say "In gods we trust" or "In some god or another we trust". Of course, to get it completely right, they'd have to say "In some god or gods we may or may not trust." THAT I'd like to see on my money.
     
  19. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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  20. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Nope. Sorry dude.
    The word "God" is multi-denominational.
    If you don't believe me, take a good look at all the current US currency . . . it's on everything from the penny on up. :)

    Then go ahead and try to prove exactly which God each one of these denominations is referring.