Man told he must get rid of "ATHEIST" license plate

Ananova ^

[JediGirl]

A US man must get rid of his number plate because it reads, "ATHEIST."

Steven Miles says his right of self expression is being trampled on.

But the state of Florida has declared the number plate "obscene or objectionable." It is refusing to re-issue it after receiving 10 complaints.

Mr Miles, 55, from Gainesville, Florida, has had the licence plate for 16 years. He is vice president of the group, Atheists of Florida.

But he has now been told by the state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, that the personalised plate is on the department's blacklist, along with swear words and slang words describing certain body parts.

Mr Miles said: "It's kind of disconcerting to know that the United States is based on freedom of expression, yet in actuality, it's quite restrictive."

Others have reacted strongly to the plate since Mr Miles first screwed it to his Isuzu in 1986, reports the St Petersburg Times.

"I had a wrench thrown at me in Jacksonville about 10 years ago. It went right over the hood," he said. Another time, "someone surreptitiously tore up my tag and threw it in the bushes. I put a frame and a plastic cover on it after that."

He intends to fight the banning order with the backing of the US Civil Liberties Union.

Story filed: 22:11 Thursday 14th March 2002

[JediGirl]

Gotta love freedom of speech...

[jonatron]

Mr Miles said: "It's kind of disconcerting to know that the United States is based on freedom of expression, yet in actuality, it's quite restrictive."

Sorry sir, you don't believe in God-given rights.

[steenkeenbadges]

Well at least he's clear on his position. Jesus upbraided the church at Laodecia: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Rev 3:16

Seems like the guy's itching to be evangelized!

[billybudd]

So you wouldn't mind banning someone from having a "THEIST" license plate?

[JediGirl]

Wow, What a freedom-loving guy. Anybody with an opinion that differs from yours should be crushed right?

Buddhists should be kicked out of the country because they don't believe in our "God-given" rights? That kinda thing?

[riley1992]

Pardon me? Are you saying that anyone who does not believe in God should not be granted the same rights as those who do?

[diefree]

can the following words be put on license plates; God, Baptist, Catholic, Jesus, Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, homosexual, abortionist, homophobe, etc.?

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[Zeroisanumber]

I think that he was referring to fence-sitters. Athiests are not sitting on a fence, they have taken a position.

[JediGirl]

It would appear that way

[Demidog]

Please show me where in the constitution that only those that believe in God have rights.

[Centurion2000]

I may not agree with the guy but that is not something too controversial for a license plate.

[riley1992]

Yes, it would. Apparently Freedom of Speech is only supposed to be free to those he deems worthy.

[Husker24]

agreed

[Eala]

Mr Miles said: "It's kind of disconcerting to know that the United States is based on freedom of expression, yet in actuality, it's quite restrictive."

Sure is. Try practicing your freedom of speech in certain public areas, you'll find out how restrictive it already is. Like outside an abortion clinic.

Nonetheless, IMHO he ought to be able to have the plate.

[leilani]

"So you wouldn't mind banning someone from having a "THEIST" license plate?" EXACTLY. This is as wrong as if they banned a "Catholic" plate or "Baptist" plate or "Left-handed Lithuanian Luddite" plate. WRONG, BOZOS! (Is the First Amendment really THAT difficult for low-rank gov't employees to understand?)

[riley1992]

How is it correct for a business to penalize you for your religious beliefs?

[jlogajan]

Now if I was his insurance company, I would raise his premium for comprehensive coverage above the roof.

I agree, after all, Christianity is a religion of peace. ha ha ha ha ha ha

[eddie willers]

but it seems to me that insurance companies would be interested in what your personalized plate is since certain statements could increase the odds of your vehicle being the target of vandalism.

Christian vandalizing is something that should be predicted?