COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina has begun taking online orders for Christian-themed license plates that are the subject of a lawsuit by a group that tries to keep religion out of government.
The new plates depict a stained-glass window with a cross on the left hand side and the words "I Believe" across the top. The Department of Motor Vehicles said it will begin making the plates after it gets at least 400 prepaid applications.
If the department does not get enough orders, the plates will not be made and those who did send in money will get refunds.
Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued state officials on behalf of two Christian pastors, a humanist pastor and a rabbi in South Carolina, along with the Hindu American Foundation.
The group's executive director, Barry Lynn, said until the state began taking orders, some could argue his group's lawsuit was premature.
"Now the court can find a state-produced Christian license plate to violate the Constitution," Lynn said.
People who want to order the special tag can pay $5 in an online transaction to cover the additional cost of making the "I Believe" plates. The usual annual vehicle registration fee of $24 would also apply.
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, who helped push the measure through the General Assembly, said: "A lot of people can't understand what the hype is about. Nobody is mandated to have this tag ... it's an option."
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