An atheist group is suing the state of Mississippi over its requirement that the words "In God We Trust" be included on all state license plates.
The complaint, filed by American Atheists and the Mississippi Humanist Organization, takes aim at the words on the state seal, which is emblazoned on all standard license plates issued in the Magnolia State.
The lawsuit argues that “the phrase ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ is rooted in hostility toward non-Christians and atheists, intended to convey the message that non-belief in the Christian god is un-American.”
State leadership is now tasked with proving that these license plates are not inherently religious.
A License Plate Debate
At the heart of the lawsuit is a "non-religious tax," for lack of a better term. Residents of Mississippi who object to the message _can _get a license plate without ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ – but it costs an extra $30 a year.
If atheists or other non-Christians want a license plate that doesn’t potentially make them billboards for religious values they don’t hold, they’ll have to pay an extra fee to the state. They say that violates their freedom of speech as citizens.
American Atheists say that they’re not trying to change the state’s motto, or the state seal. They just want a free alternative.
Moreover, some types of license plates have no alternative options – paid or otherwise. Drivers of RVs or motorcycles, drivers with disabilities, and all custom license plates must be printed with the standard seal, something the lawsuit also hopes to change.
For some of the activists, it’s personal. “In 2019, when ‘In God We Trust’ became the new standard plate, I was forced to either give up my chosen message or display it alongside the Mississippi government’s religious statement,” says Sarah Worrel, a representative for American Atheists. “I shouldn’t have to make that choice. The government shouldn’t be able to decree that I display a message that goes against my beliefs.”
‘In God We Trust’ or Bust
It's not hard to come up with a defense the state government could use. It would go something like: "the words are part of the official state seal and thus not an endorsement of faith. We have "In God We Trust" on our currency, and the courts have ruled that's not an issue."
However, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves is going a different route:
In fact, Reeves campaigned on this very issue when he got elected.
“Guess what, in Mississippi we do trust God.” then-candidate Reeves posted on Facebook in 2019. “And I trust God will help [American Atheists] realize just how foolish it is for this atheist group to try to force their political correctness nonsense on our great state.”
But opponents of the license plate (and the religious movement behind it) are not going down without a fight.
“No matter how much Gov. Reeves or other politicians want to pretend that Mississippi is some kind of Christians-only club, it doesn’t make it true,” says Nick Fish, President of American Atheists. “Forcing atheist drivers to endorse a religious message they reject is antithetical to our values as Americans and unconstitutional, plain and simple.”
Where do you stand on all of this?
58 comments
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Daniel Gray
Sigh, and they will lose. Or has everyone here forgot the Newdow cases that the atheist Newdow tried to sue for "in God we trust" being on the money and lost, or that the Supreme Court has the 10 Commandments in the room where they hear cases, and Newdow lost. Or that he sued because the daughter he didnt even have custody of said the pledge of allegiance in class and lost AGAIN. And sorry about his luck but ALL of these were thrown out with prejudice meaning nothing like this can ever be tried in any court. In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed Public Law 84-140, which was passed by the 84th Congress, directed the Treasury to use “In God We Trust” on money. Congress also said in a joint resolution, Public Law 84-851, that “the national motto of the United States is hereby declared to be 'In God we trust.’” So exactly how can any atheist sue any state for using the national motto on a license plate? “For example, Kentucky (among a significant number of states) has adopted a plate with the message 'In God We Trust.' Anyone with any sense would believe that this message—which appears on United States currency—does NOT in any way offend the Establishment Clause,” George Washington University law review. IN short this will be tossed out and tossed out with prejudice if it has to go to the Supreme Court meaning the atheists lose and cant file a claim like this EVER again in any court in the US. I would tell them, after showing them these court cases; to stop complaining and get out of the frying pan before they become frog legs
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Kentucky is not a state, but a Commonwealth, Daniel.
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Daniel Gray
Sorry Carl, but if you go to the Capitol Building and look in the items they have on exhibit. You will clearly see that the US Government says Kentucky is a STATE.
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Eric D Peck
You may be right Carl. But people go around saying 50 states in the union, not 45 states and 5 commonwealths. So how important can the distinction be?
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Lionheart
I’m wondering if religionists would be happy with “In Wicca We Trust”, on their plates 🤔
🦁❤️
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Daniel Gray
And why shouldnt they? I know for a fact I have seen Michigan and Ohio and PENN and Ill and Indiana license plates with everything from this to I love my car as their license plates. IN fact I just saw a plate that stated "NO god" on a legal license plate from Ohio. They are called Vanity plates and nothing is stopping anyone from going to their state license bureau and getting one. IN fact there is a corvette running around in Columbus Ohio which has a license plate that says "I (heart symbol) Dick" That can be taken in so many different ways but she has it on her car.
So why cant they get these vanity plates?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
You got my vote, Lionheart! And,if they won't go for that,what about in Goddess and God we trust?
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Brien
The reason they are using "in god we trust" is because "in marvel dc universe we trust" is just too long 🤣🤣🤣
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Larry Mager
Personally, I find this whole thing amusing. Why????? Because this is a lost cause and a waste of their time! Mississippi is a beautiful state to view, but the rule is that majority rules and if "Christians" are in the majority, then, they make the rules....or as the statement goes, "Them what have the gold, makes the rules".
In other words, as I said above.:: Forget about it, You are NOT going to change the State. Find another cause more suitable and winnable.
One last thing as I saw on a sign: In God We Trust; all others pay cash!
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John Norris Campbell
Yep! I also saw on a sign: Only God Forgives...I don't
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William Diaz
Wouldn't it depend on what is meant by "God"? At the very least I would want them to clarify that. If they mean Jesus then as a Jew I would find that troubling.
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Ealdormon Piparskeggr Robinson
As a polytheist, I admit the possibility that the God of Abraham and His "descendants" exist, and I know a majority of my neighbors do believe, how ever devoutly. The tag does not bother me, just as it does not on my money.
The car drives the same and the money spends the same.
Some places have the state seal on the plates, some don't. I prefer don't.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I emphatically agree with Ealdormon
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Shango MasterExorcist, D.D.
Many Rabbis are uncomfortable with spelling the whole word, and write "Gd". Can we have "In Gd we trust"?
Atheists asking for a free alternative have a valid point. It may be complicated to change the state seal on all documents, notices, and signs. A better solution would be for atheists to get a 30% discount on car registration. so they are paid for having to advertise a divinity.
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John Norris Campbell
I'll be accepting all U.S. currency from 'atheistists' hell bent (pun intended) in ridding themselves with those most offensive words "In God We Trust" stamped on money. Imagine spending one's life fighting something they do not believe in. I am starting a "Unicorns are oppressive" ralley and will welcome donations in the form of gold only.
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Imagine waging wars and killing millions in the name of some middle eastern myth dreamt up by some goat herders thousands of years ago.
You do grasp that your idea of god is a middle eastern concept right? Same as Allah, sharia law, and the rest of the tripe the far right otherwise is so vigerous in opposing. No one who carries the blood of the celts should ever bend knee to the vile god of Abraham.
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John Norris Campbell
American Indians also have a concept of a great spirit god...question: do you only object to "middle eastern gods" or do you also object to far eastern gods? You mention the celtic god...would that be the sun god Belenus? has he been of much help lately? To call the god of Abraham vile, you must have had some personal dealings with Him...care to share? Or are you some butt hurt malcontent high on mountain dew because you just lost your last Fortnite battle?
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Nathaniel Robert Hunt
They don't make you pay a "non religious tax" for using money
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Bill Thompson
The left has gone to great extremes to destroy our Constitution and the idea that we formed as a nation under God affording everyone the option to believe as one sees fit!
Our religious freedoms are under attack here. When you consider the mere number of people who want the words “In God We Trust” incorporated into our culture versus the number in opposition there is no contest.
In a true democracy the majority shall prevail!
As for those who want to dismiss these words - you are out of line and are definitely going against a heavy grain!
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Tom Thackrey
The phrase was added to the money and "under God" to the pledge in the 1950s, replacing "E pluribus unum", to scare the "godless communists". This country was explicitly founded without reference to God to allow freedom of religion for everyone.
Most of the non-believers I know would prefer the money and pledge be returned to the pre-1950 versions. But few of them care enough to take action.
The attack on religion is mostly self-inflicted, your hate exceeds your love which is a hard position to promote. When the churches spend most of their income helping all people instead of persecuting those they deem abominable, building bigger real estate holdings and fleets of private jets, they will be much more attractive to me.
As far as being the majority, the number if US residents who answer the "do you believe in God?" question with a "Yes" has dropped about 10% in the last 20 years. In another 20, it may be down to 50%.
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Daniel Gray
You cant , the US Supreme Court has already ruled on this in the Newdow cases. Hint...it was a 9-0 decision on each of the three cases against Newdow and he is STILL bouncing from the slap down he received.
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John P Maher
WELL BILLY THOMSON, I DISMISS YOUR WORDs !
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Michael Hall
Comment removed by user.
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Daniel Gray
Dont have to, the US Supreme Court has already ruled on this in the needow cases, hint....newdow lost so badly and was slapped down so hard you have not hear a peep from him since he lost the cases 9-0 for each one.
Now if he, an atheist; had enough sense to stop. Why does the miss atheists want to try and bring back what was already settled and tossed out with prejudice meaning you cant bring a case like this to ANY court in ANY state. And they are going to find this out much to their sorrow when they are fined and told to pay court costs and attorneys fees
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Minister Mike
This issue has nothing to do with a majority of any thing. It is about The Constitution and its First Amendment guaranteeing Americans freedom from religion - any religion.
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Nathaniel Robert Hunt
I refuse to pay a "non religious tax" not to have the statement on the plate
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John P Maher
THE PROBLEM is PEOPLE in GENERAL are B O R E D, SO FOLKs CHANNEL YOUR ENERGY to ALL GOVERNMENT and TELL THEM HOW to PLEASE YOU and LEAVE the PEOPLE ALONE, ANNOYYOUR KIDs, NOT the POPULACE with NONSENSE, WE NEED TO RUN GOVERNMENT NOT GOVERNMENT RUNNING US-A !
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Minister Mike
Definitely should be a choice left to the individual. I believe in god (many of them, as a matter of fact) but I do not want any government to force me to say I trust any of them. Gods, it turns out are, for the most part, as fickle and downright mean-spirited as humans.
It's not called freedom from religion for nothing.
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Nicholas J Page
So is it illegal to display In God We Trust only the Americans are a suing culture don't say this don't do that For heavens sake grow up and get a life I wear a crucifix everyday even in bed Anyone in the UK Gonna sue me for that
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Ilmenheru Terikson
Well personally I dont think much of anyone who wears a symbol depicting a man being brutally tortured to death. You may as well go around wearing a shirt depicting romans picking up children by the heels and smashing their heads into walls, or nazi marching jews into gas chambers or women being burned as witches. I mean if torture/murder porn from history is your thing you may as well go all in, right!
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John Norris Campbell
I think we should be all wearing "Swastikas"...in it's original meaning it means "conducive to well being" in Sanskrit...In Hinduism it means symbolizing surya (sun) bringing prosperity and good luck...the "cross" has also had many different meanings across the years...and yet you choose to label it a device of hate and oppression...kind of mirrors your heart eh?
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Alicia Szot
Punctuation should be your friend. Is punctuation "illegal" in the UK?
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Nicholas J Page
Alicia I'm copying you Americans when you say gonna Look at the way your English is used different names or Elevator we say lift,Side walk we say path We say car bonnet you say good I could go on but I won't.And my Brother is an California citizen with a dual passport.
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Erech Melchizedek Christ Nimrod
We understand the atheist. After all the Bible says "NO MAN HAS SEEN GOD" in John 1:18 and 1 John 4:12. However Mississippi and the entire Christian world say they do see Father God in a pagan, racist, white supremacist image. Is the Christian god truly God or the devil??? Jesus Christ Himself declares to the world in John 12:31 "Now is the Judgment of this world: now shall the prince [the god] of this world be cast out." Is Mississippi's god the prince of this world??? Yes.
We remember seeing a movie titled "Mississippi Burning." Horrible!!!
Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:2-4 "But [we] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully [as the Christian world does]; but by manifestation of the Truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are Lost: in whom the god of this world [the devil] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should Shine unto them."
Fake, pagan Christianity/Catholicism has given Father God and Christ white skin color and long hair down the shoulders. The Bible story took place in Africa. Therefore Christ's hair would be a wooly Afro on top of His Black-skinned face when He walked this Earth physically. However "NO MAN HAS SEEN GOD." Man has only seen His Son Jesus Christ.
So Mississippi should be more specific as to the identity of their god, because it certainly is not the God of the Bible, evidently. Their god is the god of fake Christianity!!! Words that are synonymous with Christian are "confused" "deceived" and "Afraid of God." In many places in the Old Testament the "Reverential LOVE of God" has been wrongly translated the fear of god.
For example: Proverbs 1:7 is written "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
But Proverbs 1:7 should truly read: "The Reverential LOVE of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge: but Fools despise Wisdom and Instruction."
The same thing with Proverbs 9:10 "The fear [No!!! The Reverential LOVE!!!] of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom: and the Knowledge of the Holy is Understanding."
Psalms 111:10 "The fear [No!!! The Reverential LOVE] of the LORD is the Beginning of Wisdom: a Good Understanding have all they that do His commandments [of Strong LOVE]: His Praise endureth for ever."
And so on, and so on. It is Miraculous what deep study will do with a good Bible Concordance and a Hebrew and Greek Dictionary. Your black-skinned to white-skinned religious leaders know this too, or should. The reason he and she do not tell you this truth is because the greater your fear the greater your tithe, and the more Sweet Money they get from you!!! Fear is not FAITH. Father God and My Twin Brother Jesus Christ Honor only LOVE and FAITH, not skin color, not religious denominations, and certainly not fear!!!
We are draining the swamp of Christianity, to have Solid, Firm Ground to build God and Christ's True Majestic, Miraculous Church of "LOVE For The People" on. Tough-LOVE!!! Why Nimrod??? Because it is obvious that fake Christianity is built on weak, stinking, sinking sand and time is Truly running out.
Sincerely, your Friend Christ Nimrod. I AM The Spiritual Revolutionary “LIFE” Coach KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11-21) Young’s Analytical Concordance To The Bible ©1982, page 696 reveals My Noble Name “NIMROD” means “VALIANT, STRONG” to Our Father God, in the Hebrew language. We built Our city of Bab-il (Gate of God) in Genesis 10:10. The tower of Babel (Confusion) in Genesis 11:1-9 was Never Built!!!
Peace. Amen. Shalom. As-Salaam-Alaikum. Namaste.
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John Norris Campbell
You made me laugh outloud! Thankyou!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
John, that idiot makes me laugh too, but not for the same reasons as you. As a matter of fact, I've been known to laugh heartily at both of you, but you won't hear a word of thanks out of me. Hardy har-har!!!
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Erech Melchizedek Christ Nimrod
You are Welcome John. You Deserve the Best!!! You are Worthy!!! Laughter and Joy are Good. Psalms 32:11 "Be Glad in the LORD, and Rejoice, ye Righteous: and Shout for Joy, all ye that are Upright in Heart." Peace.
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Erech Melchizedek Christ Nimrod
Charity begins at Home. If you do not LOVE yourself, you cannot truly LOVE anybody else. It seems to be a rule of religion that to LOVE yourself is evil and egotistical. And it can be. So check yourself. And Jesus Christ declares in Matthew 19:19 "Honour your father and your mother: and, You shall LOVE your neighbour as YOURSELF."
The Christian world has this verse wrong. Religious leaders, especially the pope, teach you to LOVE your neighbour and not yourself. That is extremely Wrong!!! And consider this, "how" do you LOVE yourself??? In Our opinion getting drunk and sticking needles in your arms with drugs, etc. is not LOVE. It is not happiness. It is religious fear and self-hate!!!
"God is LOVE." 1 John 4:8, 16. Father God LOVES you with Tough-LOVE. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 will give you knowledge of what LOVE is. You Deserve the Best!!! You are Worthy!!! Peace.
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Debra L. Derrick
Separation of church and state? Dang these religious zealots, pushing their crap on others..
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John Norris Campbell
Well here's a little history lesson for you: The expression "separation of church and state" can be traced to an 1802 letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote to a group of bible thumping men afflilted with the Danbury Baptist Association of Connecticut who wanted to infringe their dogma into politics....this statement has absolutly NOTHING to do with the here and now...otherwise JFK would have let the catholic pope run the show while he was president...btw...jfk was catholic
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I wouldn't put words in JFK's mouth if I were you, John. I'm sure there's never been a religious president who would want or let the leader of his religion (or anyone else) to take over leading his nation for him. That statement of yours sounded totally redundant. This nation wouldn't tolerate a religious leaders. The christians couldn't even get Pat Robinson elected president.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
By the way, John, Joe Biden is also Catholic, but he's not in cahoots with that damn pope. The pope isn't even one of his advisers, but that doesn't stop him from going to church on Sundays. Don't take things out of context. Religious leaders lead their religions, and that doesn't have anything to do with politics, or leading a nation. Next you'll be saying that a football fan president would gladly let the coach of his favorite team run the country for him, as long as he threw in season tickets.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
If we were to be silent amid the noise and haste Ehrman, this blog wouldn't exist. We'd never get anything accomplished. All we'd do is read the articles they give us, and never comment about them. Y'all better start quoting more poems. The Desiderata doesn't have all the answers to all life's questions. It doesn't even come close.
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Paul Donaldson
Mississippi has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country so I would guess that the state has more to worry about that license plates. Apparently, a lot of the citizens of the state are trusting God won't sent the pandemic their way.
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Carl A. Hankins
I have good questions. With separation of church and state how can an atheist claim to be married ? How can a judge or captain marry anyone ? With God having made all the rules for living a better life and the laws having been made to be able to repent from wrongs without example, and the judgement made for those who refuse. How can these controversies persist without bringing back pagan ways ? Will this not bring only the spirit of Sodom and Egypt which has no salvation ?
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Antonia Geraldine Carey
In my opinion, the real issue, as some have stated above is who is the "god" they are referring to? I'm guessing it's not the one most of us in concept worship as the life force, creator who loves us and only wants the best for us, who experiences life through ours, who does not require blood sacrifice or suffering and who creates the seeming miraculous for those willing to do the research and spend time and practice to connect with it. The god referenced by Jesus and Buddha as "the father". I attended a lecture a few years back by a whistleblower who explained just who the "founding fathers" of the country were worshiping and it wasn't who you think it was. Words are spells designed to keep the masses under control. This is just another example. I think part of our job is to discover what words you can use to break the spell these controllers have put on the masses and then use them. Not all will see but many are hungry for this knowledge, most of which has been kept in secret for millennia but is now coming out if you're willing to look for it. Most, if not all, of us here are doing our part to uplift the world and free humanity. Very grateful to be in your company.
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Eric D Peck
Can you imagine telling someone about to storm Normandy beach that this is what we are doing with freedom? Charging people $30.00 because they don't share a belief? Awful. The budget is bloated enough.
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John Lee Sheehan
Somehow, "Many Of Us Trust In God, While Some Others Of Us Don't", just doesn't have the same ring to it.
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Healing seed expressive arts ministry
Church and state are to be separate. Anything federal or state law representing needs to be reminded of this, why? All federal items should be non secular. The word God was not originally in our pledge to the flag. Removing the word or any connotation to God needs to happen. Faith is ones personal right. Its not to impinge on any one else. Keep your faith to yourself, share it amongst others who live it also,as in a church or group setting. Its not for a license plate,which in my own opinion should not be a decorative piece. All license plates should be unified, vanity ones cost more,in god we trust is a vanity statement . It should cost more. Just my 2 cents.
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Eileen Perkins
God stands for many things to many people. Please do not put the Christian spin on that word. The world was here long before JC and will be here again after.
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Greg Formoe
Oh gee, we have an unhappy atheist, let's all shit. They have no standing to change the slogan, it has been part of America since the beginning. Deliberately non-denominational. It is not a law, it is a thought shared by many. It does not require anything of you, ignore it if it bothers you, and go yell at the kids on your lawn.
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Christian
Well, they can take a Sharpie Marker and write over it. " In No One We Trust." if they like, It's their license plate. :-) Namaste. God Bless America !
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Rev. Elizabeth
I am a woman of God. When I was 6-years-old I informed my mother I was going to work for God. She didn't want to discourage me when I said I want to be a Priest. I was being raised as a Catholic. My mother was not but my father was a non-practicing Catholic. My Mom was a Baptist. She converted for her children's sake. Neither of my parents practiced their religion. We were sent to Sunday school and had to attend on Wednesdays as well. I loved it. I couldn't learn enough about God and Jesus. Was never taught about the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit. I learned as an adult and after I converted to the Methodist religion. The Catholic Church denying me and my class amongst many other churches and students, our Confirmation classes because the Bishop said their were too many parishes. I was so angry at the Church, not God. Had I been able to be confirmed as a Catholic I would not be a minister today. I would not have been able to be a confirmed Methodist. God made it possible for me to work for him. I tell you all this so you understand where I am in this situation. We have to pay extra for our Tag's when we want to make it personal for our reasons. I believe anyone who wants to remove 'In God We Trust' should pay the extra fee to have it removed from their Tags. The DMV is not treating atheists any different for the belief. Pay the fee we all pay for special tags for your vehicle. Atheists are so tender in their feelings when they are told something cannot happen the way they want it to happen. Us minister and people of faith do not cry out that we are mistreated for our belief in life and religion. They act like spoiled children not getting their way.
So, for a country that was founded on religious freedom, the religion of athisism is attempting to trump all other beliefs and say they take precedence. Really.........
Well, 15-minutes of FAME I suppose.....
I'm in Illinois. We are not forced to use our cars to proclaim a faith which we may or may not hold. Religion here is not "trumped" by atheism. We are free to cover our cars with bumper stickers or painted graphics proclaiming our religion. We don't need the state to do it for us.
Atheism is not a religion. Atheists deny the reality of any god. Such a shame you feel impelled to lie about things you obviously know nothing about.
Really. Are you happy with your 15 minutes of shame?
To even suggest you think Atheism is a system based in faith undermines any hope you may have had to be taken seriously. To lack blind faith in something because there is no reason to have faith in it is called sanity. Blind faith in a myth is mental illness.
By the way, John, Joe Biden is also Catholic, but he's not in cahoots with that damn pope. The pope isn't even one of his advisers, but that doesn't stop him from going to church on Sundays. Don't take things out of context. Religious leaders lead their religions, and that doesn't have anything to do with politics, or leading a nation. Next you'll be saying that a football fan president would gladly let the coach of his favorite team run the country for him, as long as he threw in season tickets.