Do you think this plate violates Separation of Church and State?

Question

Following the link below will take you to a page which will show you Indiana's newest license plate design, "In God We Trust".

There seems to be a muted controversy (only hear about it once in a while) about whether this violates Church and State.

The reason being that, while ALL other plates Indiana offers with a special slogan/design (for Indiana U., Purdue, Riley's Children's Hospital, etc) cost an extra fee to get, this one is available at no extra charge. Part or all of the extra fee does go to the relevant organization as a fundraiser, by the way.

Additionally, the license branch reps make a point of mentioning this particular plate as an option.

I think I've given you the essential facts. What do you think? Is this particular plate a problem, does it walk the middle ground, or is it a good thing?

http://www.in.gov/bmv/plates/regular.htm

Oh, the option also still exists to get the normal, basic state plate at no extra fee.

So, David, your answer is......?

Answer 1

Unlike some of these others, I understand you are just seeing how other people feel about this subject, not asking in order to make up your mind about the issue. Doc needs to chill.

I think the plates are okay, but they should NOT be pushing them.

Answer 2

The fine line was not breeched in this situation. Because the state is not requiring an extra fee for issuance of the plate, there is no legal relationship between the 'church' and state. If the state had required a fee, then that fee could have been used to establish such a relationship which would have made the plate questionable.

Answer 3

Perhaps if you (and most of America) knew the history behind the First Ammendment, you could anser this question yourself.
To write the new Constitution, there were, Madison, Jefferson, Jay and Henry.
Henry insisted that every man be allowed to vote only if they belonged to a church (recognized by the state) and paid tything.
The others disagreed. Henry's logic was simple, this would ensure that only God fearing Christian men would have a say in our government. The others saw things a bit differently. Such a law would make us no better than the English who all had to pay homage to the Church of England. Henry wouldn't let it go. So, the others convinced him to run for Governor for Virginia. He did, he was elected, had to give up his seat in congress and so, was nolonger given a say in the writing of the Constitution.
It is the "Supreme Court" who has perverted both the meaning and intent of that ammendment. No where does it call for a separation of church and state. Instead it calls for every man to worship as he chooses. "In God We Trust" and "One nation under God" are NOT a violation of that ammendment.

Answer 4

How can we get so confused? The Lord has been in this society since the Pilgrims arrived. You can't separate church and state if you wanted to. How do you plan to take a person's beliefs out of them so they can serve in the government? Regardless of what confuses people, we all have certain beliefs.

You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy.

Answer 5

Nope. You can get a vanity tag that says "4 Jesus" if you want to. Your tag is your tag, not the state's tag - it belongs to you - and since it's an option (like a breast cancer or special olympics tag) I see no problem with it.

It's neither good nor bad. No worse than a "honk if you love Jesus" sticker or a fish stuck on your bumper.

Answer 6

It seems they should either offer other "free" choices or charge for the God plate.

Answer 7

No I don't think it violates any laws because it is optional. We still have religious freedom.

Answer 8

Since its an option, of course its fine, no one is making you get it, so if you don't like it, or don't believe in it it won't even effect you.

Answer 9

Separation of church and state is not in the constitution.