South Carolina Judge Says Religious License Plate is Unconstitutional

Pro-family advocates will take a different approach now that a federal judge has ruled against the state of South Carolina issuing "I Believe" license plates.
 
Judge Cameron M. Currie said the plates were unconstitutional, because they violate the First Amendment ban on government establishment of religion.
 
The liberal group, Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUSC) was one of the groups that opposed the plates.
 
Robert Boston, senior policy analyst with AUSC, said the judge made the right call.
 
"I don't think the state has the right to create a special plate like that bearing those Christian symbols," Boston said.
 
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer helped push the legislation allowing the plates.
 
"I'm very disappointed. It's a continual drumbeat of the liberals to take this totally in a different direction of where we should be," Bauer said.
 
The Palmetto Family Council has reserved the name "I Believe" with the secretary of state. Nonprofit organizations are allowed to have private license tags issued by the state if the group can guarantee a certain amount will be purchased.
 
— Nima Reza