1st Amendment Violation?

[whell]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

It says In God We Trust on money? On monuments. Heck in this country it's everywhere.

Pete

Correct. Therefore, I believe that the phrase "In God We Trust" has become a "cultural icon", just like the Christmas tree. Therefore, there should be no objection to Georgia wishing to imprint a cultural icon on its license plates. If someone objects the the cultural icon on their license plate, why should tax payers be forced to foot the bill to cover up the icon? Let the individual who objects pay to cover it up.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by whell

Correct. Therefore, I believe that the phrase "In God We Trust" has become a "cultural icon", just like the Christmas tree. Therefore, there should be no objection to Georgia wishing to imprint a cultural icon on its license plates. If someone objects the the cultural icon on their license plate, why should tax payers be forced to foot the bill to cover up the icon? Let the individual who objects pay to cover it up.

It is not a "cultural icon", it is a religious statement. If you want "In God We Trust" on your plates, buy a Sharpie and scrawl it on there. I won't complain, because it didn't cost me anything. Write anything you want on your plates for all I care. "Career Corporate Stooge", might be a good one for Republicans.

If you want to erect a twenty ton granite Ten Commandments tablet on your own property, at your own expense, by all means---make it happen.

It's when you use public facilities and public money to advance your religious views, or the lack thereof as the case may be, that a line, (Oh, excuse me. I believe the historic term is "Wall".) is crossed.

Dave

[whell]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

It is not a "cultural icon", it is a religious statement. If you want "In God We Trust" on your plates, buy a Sharpie and scrawl it on there.
Dave

Nope, sorry. The phrase officially became the national motto in 1956 and began appearing on paper currency in 1957. In fact, it was affirmed in the House earlier this month as the national motto by an overwhelming margin: only 9 "no" votes and 2 "abstain" votes.

Therefore, it is an icon of culture in this country. You don't want it on your license plate, you can get out a Sharpie and cross it out....right after you move to Georgia.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by whell

Nope, sorry. The phrase officially became the national motto in 1956 and began appearing on paper currency in 1957. In fact, it was affirmed in the House earlier this month as the national motto by an overwhelming margin: only 9 "no" votes and 2 "abstain" votes.

Therefore, it is an icon of culture in this country. You don't want it on your license plate, you can get out a Sharpie and cross it out....right after you move to Georgia.

If it has become nothing more than a cultural icon, then religious people should object to the use of the phrase on license plates. The overuse of a religious phrase by government has deprived it of its religious meaning. It simply shows how intermingling religion and government perverts both of them.

Regards,

D-Ray

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

If it has become nothing more than a cultural icon, then religious people should object to the use of the phrase on license plates. The overuse of a religious phrase by government has deprived it of its religious meaning. It simply shows how intermingling religion and government perverts both of them.

Regards,

D-Ray

Excellent post. On AUs website, one of the Clergy who runs the organization, Rev. Barry Lynn* said, "Intertwining governent and religion reduces religion to politics and elevates politicians to the status of holymen."

One of my favorite quotes. In one sentence, it illustrates the evil of theocracy.

*AU is NOT an Atheist organization.

Dave

[whell]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

If it has become nothing more than a cultural icon, then religious people should object to the use of the phrase on license plates. The overuse of a religious phrase by government has deprived it of its religious meaning. It simply shows how intermingling religion and government perverts both of them.

Regards,

D-Ray

While I don't necessarily disagree with you, I also find the vehement opposition to occasional religious imagery or slogans to be tiresome and non-productive. We could debate the establishment clause all day but suffice to say that on this topic, like so many others, the polarization of views is doing more damage than otherwise.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

While I don't necessarily disagree with you, I also find the vehement opposition to occasional religious imagery or slogans to be tiresome and non-productive. We could debate the establishment clause all day but suffice to say that on this topic, like so many others, the polarization of views is doing more damage than otherwise.

... and you don't find the incessant "woe is me" caterwauling from the Christian Right about how Christianity is "under attack" in this country to be tiresome? You can bet your @ss that the Georgia goober who introduced this bill knows full well the provocative (and maybe unconstitutional nature of his effort. It's all about rubbing Christianity in the face of non-Christians.

It's no different than Faux News throwing a contrived hissyfit last week because Obama didn't mention God in his Thanksgiving youtube address. Faux conveniently forgot to mention that Dubya (and Slick Willie) both omitted mentioning God in several of their annual Thanksgiving addresses and that Obama's written comments did mention God. As far as I'm concerned, every single leader of the Christian right is nothing more than a modern day Elmer Gantry.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by whell

Nope, sorry. The phrase officially became the national motto in 1956 and began appearing on paper currency in 1957. In fact, it was affirmed in the House earlier this month as the national motto by an overwhelming margin: only 9 "no" votes and 2 "abstain" votes.

Therefore, it is an icon of culture in this country. You don't want it on your license plate, you can get out a Sharpie and cross it out....right after you move to Georgia.

Ahhhh, the 1950s. Interesting period. Some of our most interesting propaganda comes from that era, doesn't it? "Commies" in every closet and so on,.......oh, there's lots of it. Government sponsored conformity, followed by the counter-culture revolution of the 1960s. Action-reaction. Tyranny, followed by rebellion. Kind of like the rise of organized labor following the industrial revolution.

Last I heard, Church attendence continues to decline. How does that make you feel, Mike?

Personally, I couldn't care less if more people do go back to church. It's really none of my business, how others choose to worship. And as long as no one tries to make it my business, there will be no trouble.

Dave

[whell]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak

A

Last I heard, Church attendence continues to decline. How does that make you feel, Mike?

I could actually care less. Sadly, haven't been to church myself in quite a while. However, in a debate about the meaning and merits of the establishment clause, it matters not whether you or I go to church regularly or not, does it? Nor does it matter how we "feel" about it.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by whell

I could actually care less. Sadly, haven't been to church myself in quite a while. However, in a debate about the meaning and merits of the establishment clause, it matters not whether you or I go to church regularly or not, does it? Nor does it matter how we "feel" about it.

Correct.

Now,---------it's nap time. Back for another twelve tonight.

Dave