NJ woman can now have ‘8THEIST’ license plate after it was deemed ‘offensive’
NEWARK — A woman whose request for a vanity license plate reading “8THEIST” was denied two years ago when state officials said it might be considered offensive will now be allowed to display it. A settlement filed in federal court on Friday resolves a lawsuit filed in 2014 by Shannon Morgan. As part of the settlement,…
27 responses to NJ woman can now have ‘8THEIST’ license plate after it was deemed ‘offensive’
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Larry Schmitt August 13th, 2016 at 11:36
How in the world could they decide that simply displaying a variation of “atheist” would be offensive to someone? Why wouldn’t something like WWJD be offensive to me?
Mensa Member August 13th, 2016 at 11:47
That’s the whole issue, in my mind.
Rather than what’s offensive — are religious plates allowed?
If “WWJD” is allowed then 8THEIST must be allowed.
I find neither offensive but I can understand why a state might want to keep religion — generally — off of government issued things.
Larry Schmitt August 13th, 2016 at 12:21
I don’t see how either one could be offensive. I’m not offended by someone putting a religious message on his plate, it’s equivalent to a bumper sticker. But how could a religious person be offended by the word “atheist”?
Red Mann August 13th, 2016 at 16:03
Because, to them, the notion that someone doesn’t believe in their god, is the height of foolishness and would condemn the non-believer to Hell. To believe in no gods at all is repulsive to them and a dangerous idea that might “corrupt” their innocent little children..
Mike August 13th, 2016 at 12:22
Isn’t that an argument in semantics…??
How can the word “atheist” be considered religious …?? It’s the very definition of non-religious. It’s simply a person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
I don’t ever call myself an atheist…others use that label for me Unlike those who have adopted a group belief, atheists have no list or defining non-beliefs they all share … they are completely unattached in their thinking, free to use any excuse, logic, evidence or lack thereof, etc., to reach a conclusion even they don’t fully agree on.
Religion is a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, sacred texts, holy places, ethics, and societal organisation that relate humanity to what an anthropologist has called “an order of existence”.
Not believing can’t be called a religion
Larry Schmitt August 13th, 2016 at 12:24
Correct. The lack of a religion (atheism) is not a religion. Although some people treat it as one.
Red Mann August 13th, 2016 at 16:01
For purposes religious rights, non belief is protected, so some treat it as if it was a religion. Just like non-stamp collecting is a hobby.
Red Mann August 13th, 2016 at 15:58
Virginia has “Choose Life” plates.
Mensa Member August 13th, 2016 at 11:42
The article didn’t say and I am feeling too lazy to investigate:
Are other religious sentiments allowed?
If so, than absolutely atheists should be allowed a plate.
whatthe46 August 13th, 2016 at 16:26
it stated that when she chose the word “baptist” for a plate it was accepted, but, 8theist wasn’t. so apparently it is accepted.
Dwendt44 August 13th, 2016 at 18:04
A regular campaign in some states to put religious based comments on the plate by the state. Let the people put what ever they want is one way of countering that.
Mike N. August 13th, 2016 at 11:51
This is an interesting graphic. What point do you think people with these plates are trying to convey?
https://asteriskdc.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/dtom-plates1.jpg?w=540&h=413
http://a57.foxnews.com/global.fncstatic.com/static/managed/img/Politics/876/493/Virginia_tag.png?ve=1&tl=1
Mensa Member August 13th, 2016 at 11:55
That whole “don’t tread on me” thing has always struck me as odd.
Are the people identifying with snakes? Or maybe the biblical serpent?
Larry Schmitt August 13th, 2016 at 12:21
It’s a Tea Party thing.
Dwendt44 August 13th, 2016 at 18:02
Meaning “Let us have our way or else!”
starskeptic August 13th, 2016 at 16:29
It’s from the Gadsden flag.
Red Mann August 13th, 2016 at 15:57
I live in Virginia and every time I see one of these things, I think “There goes a foolish person who doesn’t understand how the government actually works”. In other words those plates are simply saying “I’M STUPID!”.
Gary Parillo August 14th, 2016 at 00:55
Would they allow a plate that says, Im stupid? That could offend stupid people.
Red Mann August 14th, 2016 at 01:04
Well, research seems to show that stupid people are totally unaware of their stupidity, think Dunning-Kruger, so they wouldn’t associate the message with themselves, so no they probably wouldn’t be offended. They would get offended if you call them stupid because in their own minds they are smarter than you.
Gary Parillo August 14th, 2016 at 01:22
Never heard of that research,thats interesting.Ive often seriously wondered if someone wifh dementia knows something is wrong,or if mentally challenged people know they are (all jokes bout trump on hold for the moment) mentally challenged?
Red Mann August 14th, 2016 at 01:32
I guess it would depend on what the extent of the mental challenge is. As far as dementia I don’t know, but from reading I get the sense that at the beginning there is awareness of what is happening, then the unawareness grows. For me, at least, the unawareness would be preferable.
Gary Parillo August 14th, 2016 at 01:47
We had to put my mom in a dementia unit one year before she died.She would often ask me why she was there,and I would always tell her truthfully why.Never was sure she understood,but probably not or she wouldnt have kept asking.Toward the end she totally lost reality.You are right,if it happens to me I would prefer to not be aware.
robert August 14th, 2016 at 08:04
it would be great if you work with reptiles or employed at the zoo
Mensa Member August 13th, 2016 at 11:53
Am I the only one who doesn’t like the whole custom license plate thing?
I’m not obsessed with it but I don’t like it.
For starters, it’s elitist.
But, mostly, a license plate is a government document. It’s not a place for advocacy or vanity.
What’s next — vanity social security numbers? Street numbers?
Larry Schmitt August 13th, 2016 at 12:23
As I said in another post, even though the plate is provided by the government, seeing a message on it is no different (to me, at least) than a bumper sticker. It’s in front of me the same amount of time.
whatthe46 August 13th, 2016 at 16:24
plates may be govt. property, but, we pay to have it every year.
robert August 14th, 2016 at 08:02
in my state it will cost you at least $60.00 for vanity plates
ive bought cars in the past for less