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
I am not saying the state had the right to take away his plate, however.
JediGirl =/= Sir, JediGirl == Lady
Maybe rights don't come from God. Maybe there are no "inalienable" or natural rights. Maybe we form and keep societies and governments in order to defend artificially constructed rights, because we like having them.
Let me get this straight: If you don't believe in God, you don't get God-given rights.
But if I don't believe in God, how did I get God-given free will? How was I given the gift of life from God? Why doesn't God smite me right now?
"But if I don't believe in God, how did I get God-given free will? How was I given the gift of life from God? Why doesn't God smite me right now?"
God's common grace extended to all mankind.
Just to keep them off-guard, make it "THR4P5T," and tell them it means "There for pee, fifty"
So we're all saved? Or if works are required to get into Heaven, we have to do those, but we never have to say a Christian prayer in our lives?
As is his right. How weird you are if you support this ban.
It is, you know. It is the atheists who are the all-time champion mass murderers. False Christianity, motivated by the same foul spirit that animates atheism, has killed many as well. But atheism naked and unmasked is by far the most efficient murder machine.
Hope you're proud of it.
That is a bit over the top, but not wholly atypical. To each his own. My dad was an atheist, one of the finest individuals I ever knew, and he didn't advocate mass murder once. Neither have my two brothers. I don't either (although I am a not quite an atheist but close). Have a good evening.
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