Posted on 03/14/2002 3:27:40 PM PST by 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
Yes. It's not uncommon. (Nor are other types of vandalism; vandalism for its own sake is probably the most common.)
"Christianity is a religion of peace."
What has that got to do with the price of fish? Regardless if the plate reads 'Athiest' or '775 JLP', he will still be identifiable by it to the state.
No, I think he believes in Constitutional rights.
Say what? CT won't let you have a plate that says Pro Life. Is it because someone else already has it? If not, I see a problem with that also.
(It's not every day you can get a spelling zinger in there and have it be right on topic!)
The conversation drifted over to vanity license plates in general. I recall that in 1980, an elderly couple (I think in Florida) had a license plate which said "IRAN", which, needless to say, didn't make them popular during the hostage crisis. The thing is, it was totally innocent on their part: his name was Ira, and hers was Ann, hence "IRAN" on the plate, which they had for several years prior to the hostage crisis. After the crisis broke, they had to hide their car in their garage until the new plates which they had hastily ordered arrived.
I have a friend with a vanity plate consisting of ones, I's, zeroes, and O's. Something like "1I0O0I01", the theory being that if she ever gets a ticket, there's a fair chance the police officer won't get the license number quite right, and she'll escape on a technicality. I rather admire that line of reasoning.
What he believes is not the point. Get it? It's called the constitution of the United States and contained therein is the First Amendment. I don't believe in atheism but I believe in his God given right to believe and express his belief in it. That is what is important here.
I can't believe I am saying this but, I think the ACLU would be correct in taking this case.
If your religious beliefs (or more applicable to this situation, your openly declared lack of religious beliefs) will end up raising the costs of a business, it is completely appropriate for them to charge you more than other people.
I wonder if any athiest Freepers can help me out here. What would possess someone to get an "ATHIEST" license plate in the first place? I don't believe in the Islamic religion, but I don't think I would ever put "INFIDEL" on my license plate, especially if I lived in an Islamic area. Evidence from this article shows what the costs are. But what are the benefits? Taking pride in showing everyone what you don't believe in?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.