Religion & American Law

            Georgia is facing on-going controversy involving “In God We Trust” stickers on state license plates. An Atlanta Journal Constitution article  describes the most recent decision, to make the stickers free to anyone citizen who wants one.  This bill passed on Feb. 28^th, with a 48-3 vote. Previously, the stickers could be purchased for $1 each.

            This debate, however, dates back to Spring 2011. Originally, the license plates designs were put to a contest, where car owners could vote for the design for the new Georgia license plates. Some of the designs included “In God We Trust” where the county decal is typically found. In July, Republican Senator Bill Health proposed to make the motto default on all license plates manufactured after July 1, 2011. This bill, however, was dropped in committee.  Health proposed the most recent legislation because he believes it to be, as the AJC article phrases it, “’ unconscionable’ for the state to profit from what he considered an expression of faith and respect.”

            This issue has stirred considerable controversy throughout its run. The initial move to make the stickers mandatory struck statewide debate. Atheist groups are protesting the most recent decision to offer the stickers free of charge. One such website states, “...what state needs hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue when its representatives can preach their faith for free?!”

            The earlier move to make the stickers mandatory seems to be a clear violation of the rights of motorists. The debate over whether or not to charge for the stickers is trickier. It seems particularly complicated because it involves a state-run service as well as individual purchases for an optional product. By not requiring the sticker to be mandatory, the state is not necessarily infringing on the rights of the individual. The concern does not seem to be one framed primarily in terms of individual rights, but rather of the right of the state to offer the product for free, which is a highly monetary concern. Thus, the legal issue at stake here is whether or not the state has the right to monetarily benefit from the sales of these stickers.

            I think the decision to offer the stickers for free should be overturned. The state would benefit from the sales of the stickers, and no individual person would be at great loss for $1 per sticker. This is a luxury provided by the state, not a right of expression.  Although the petitioning Atheist group cited above opposes the measure for monetary concerns, some may oppose the sticker being on the license plate at all because it is a state issued, legal license.  Although I think this is a valid concern, it does not seem to be an innate infringement of rights to offer the stickers at a low cost. Sen. Health’s argument falls on the other side of the debate, that the state cannot conscientiously benefit over what he sees as a sign of respect. However, the stickers are an optional product sold by the state, not a right of individual expression. Charging for the stickers is not preventing anyone from freedom of religious expression, nor is it necessarily intruding on individual rights since the stickers are an optional addition.