God hates potholes

Several states offer "specialty" license plates with phrases like "In God We Trust" or "God Bless America". Even though these are a blatant violation of the first Amendment, many secularists look the other way because people pay a higher fee for these plates, paying for the cost of making the plate, as well as generating revenue for the state or for social programs.

Indiana, however, recently created a "In God We Trust" license plate and made it a FREE option to Indiana motorists. The "free" aspect is actually paid for by taxpayers. The monies are taken out of the state highway fund. Instead of using money to fix potholes, Christians are using it to promote their religion over and above others.

Added note: the conversation was recorded in a location where it is legal to have one-party assent to recording. Conversation was edited for time, confidentiality, etc.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Separation
• of
• church
• and
• state
• atheist
• christian
• government
• theocracy
• first
• amendment
• license
• plates
• Indiana
• ACLU

[freddytk421]

you are barking up the wrong tree. That's like asking the cashier at McDonalds if animals should have the right not to be eaten.

[imrational]

freddytk421,

Yeah, at the end of the vid, I acknowledge that I felt bad about the call... but the state reps wouldn't return my calls.

I thought at least with this phone call, people could see the stigma that people hold against atheists and the desire people have to tear down separation of church & state.

[EnglishOnly1]

Oh, please... this is ridiculous. Of all the things one should be worrying about, I don't think this is an issue.

You worry about $3 in one state, whilst BILLIONS are being siphoned to the rich bankers? While BILLIONS are given to Illegals? While BILLIONS are being used to kill people in Iraq, etc? Wish you'd be this defensive of our Constitution re: Illegals, Bailouts, the Fed. Reserve, 2nd Amendment, Pres, not Congress, declaring wars, Voter Frauds, etc. This country has far worse problems!

[imrational]

English,

This video is a couple of years old.

I am against the bailouts and made a video of closing my savings account in protest of the bailouts.

Also, even small problems should be fixed, shouldn't they? If you have a lifeboat leaking from a hundred small holes and a couple giant ones.... you need to patch the giant ones... but you'll still take on water from the hundred smaller ones if you don't stop them too.

[bobnfreely]

While I agree with your point, ambushing a call-center worker is hardly the best way to get it across. She's just doing her job. If you're an Indiana tax-payer, you should be contacting your state reps and/or filing suit in court. Talk to Americans United for Separation of Church and State. They might be able to help you out.

[imrational]

bobnfreely,

that's why I said that I was sorry at 1:43. I had also called legislators, but that didn't return my calls.

[wamyc]

This is absolutely true. Religion is a thief of both money and minds. I was appalled by these plates when I visited IN recently.

Christians really do expect preferential treatment and it is only the Atheists who seem to have the balls to stand up to them.

[stevethul1]

It's time to stand up and get Religion Out Of Government. NOW!!!

[flashlightbrown]

Did you know that states did endorse religions a long time ago?

[Kalahridudex]

the "in god we trust" thing is no big deal at all, it's not like atheists can drive now. though if a person wants to replace an existing license plate, they should not use tax money.

[awwurdead]

Is it a nessesary plate? cause if not there is not really problem.

[Masher88]

I know I am a week late (sorry). This type of thing is absolutely unconstitutional because it is not an "extra charge" plate. Should taxpayers have to pay for "Praise be to Allah" plates? How about "Baruch Hashem" (Jewish praise)? what about "Atithi Devo Bhava" (Hindu praise)? Etc... What is fair to everyone without leaving anyone out? It's better to not admit any religions than to not include 99% of them. For an extra fee, they could have the plates, though!

[freddytk421]

You shouldn't feel bad she kind of sounded like a tool (literally a tool)and she answers phones for a living so she probably shouldn't take things to heart and if she does she is in the wrong biz. I myself am an atheist but I don't think this is unconstitutional because this is not establishing a religion or hindering the practice of a religion. its just something for the old ladies to get and feel the lord loves them even more and they vote more than we do. They will all be gone soon enough.