As did Satan in the Garden, you mix some truth with some lies and show a lack of understanding of both the Word of God and the First Amendment. Do you really think Jesus has a problem with a real Christian buying, with their own money, a car tag to augment "shining their light"? People understand that both hypocrites and genuine Christians walk and drive among us. It is sophomoric to pretend otherwise. As for the Constitution, allowing the sale of these tags is no different than any other personalized tag that promotes environmental responsibility, childhood cancer, your favorite college team, etc. This is yet another example of judicial tyranny by a Federal Judge. No one is compelled in any way by the state to purchase a tag. They spend their own money, of their own free will. I know you're thinking that what if the Satanists or an Islamo-fascist group wanted to have their own tag? Well in our free country they are perfectly justified in trying. In fact I encourage them to do so. It would make it easier for normal people to keep an eye on them.

Speaking of tyranny - if you want a real example of a group in power forcing their religious beliefs upon others then look no further than the current death-care bills approved by the U.S. House and being considered by the Senate. The Senate Bill contains provisions for taxpayers to pay for someone else's abortion and the bills also lack a "conscience" clause whereby Doctors who object to taking an unborn human's life can opt out. Neither of the bills allow a Doctor this basic right. So if you are worried about a majority zeitgeist imposing their religion on an unwilling populace, which is at the heart of what the Founders wanted to avoid, then here you have it. Any person who thinks for themselves and is paying attention is much more concerned about being forced into a government-run so called health care system than they are about whether the guy in the car in front of them with the different car tag is a genuine Christian or a hypocrite.

Hmm. Somewhat presumptious for FC to assert that he knows more about the First Amendment than a judge and more about Christianity than a Baptist pastor.

As for me: I don't want the government involved in religious matters, period. Neither did the Founders -- even though, I believe, the Constitution is silent on the matter of license plates;). First the government creates a license plate. Soon enough, it tells you how and when and who you can worship.

And, as a Christian, I am deeply distressed that many of my brothers and sisters can't get basic health care.

You're showing an awful lot of love there, FC.

A great column by Rev. Evans. Governments, and extremists, will pollute a good, heart felt realization of our kind and benevolent God, every time. The founders of our country knew this, they were smart people. Let us be thankful to them, and our Lord, for what we have now.

Would a license plate that simply said "I believe" without any specific religious symbol also be unconstitutional? How about if it had a stained glass window without any specific religious symbol--maybe a dove would be acceptable? I don't understand where the line is drawn, although I think the government should not endorse any specific religion.

What was not mentioned about the license plate is where the proceeds from its sale would go. Tags that "promote environmental responsibility, childhood cancer, your favorite college team" all have proceeds of their sale going to the related cause. While many causes are supported by the faithful, FAITH itself is not a cause. Pastor Evans is, as always, spot on in his commentary. The legislation from the SC Lt. Governor was a clever political move ... nothing more.

Hmm.. I somehow missed this argumen-commentary first time around but am glad that I came across it this morning. While I whole-heartedly believe this country could do with a swift kick in the rump with a bit of religion of any kind, it will not come from the governmental endorsed kind no matter what-- even if the citizens are footing the bill by order of taxes (ie. car tags). This country exists partly because of the search for freedom of religious oppression. People needed to feel free to choose a religion without guilt from their government (the monarchy of England/ Spain etc and so on). This is why in our constitution the separation of church and state is such a big idea. Some have skewed it so that they believe there should not be prayer in schools, or commandments on the walls of court rooms-- not so much so-- only that the government cannot PROMOTE any one religion. It is upsetting that our history, as young as it is, is already so lost and corrupt that we are so confused we have no clue what we are even doing. It does not look good for the future of this young country.