Group Will Seek "I Believe" Plate

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – A South Carolina religious group says it's changing its name in order to win approval from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles to create a license plate with the words "I Believe."

The faith-based group Palmetto Family Council has registered "I Believe" as an alternative name for its organization as a way to legally get the controversial tags made.

A federal judge ruled the tags unconstitutional. But under state law an organization's name can legally be printed on license plates.

Palmetto Family Council President Oran Smith says if granted, his tag will resemble the one proposed by the state displaying a yellow cross and stained glass window.

"We certainly think if people want them then we ought to provide a way to give it to them particularly if it's in a way that's clearly constitutional."

The judge also ruled South Carolina must cover legal costs for groups such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State that battled against the license tag.

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