Sunday, December 11, 2011

Controversial Texas license plates put Perry on the spot

The Texas DMV has approved a specialty registration plate showing three crosses (a symbol of Calvary) and the motto One State Under God. Not unexpectedly the action brought out the anti-religion crowd and, with the current election cycle under way, are trying to make it an issue for Gov. Perry:
But critics said the decision smacks of religious discrimination. "It has become pretty clear that our governor is dismissive of religious beliefs other than his own, and now his governmental appointees have voted to send a message that Texas is unwelcoming to the religious faiths of some of its citizens," Kathy Miller, President of the Texas Freedom Network, an activist group opposed to the Calvary Hill license plate.
Of course, the position taken by the Texas Freedom Network on this plate is ridiculous. This particular plate is one of many specialty plates authorized by the Texas DMV; choosing to display the plate is a personal decision and not a requirement of the state. No, it seems the motivation for the criticism is more directed at driving Christianity from the public space.