Thread: New Jersey woman denied “offensive” 8THEIST numberplate

Atheist New Jersey woman denied “offensive” 8THEIST numberplate
April 19, 2014

An atheist woman has filed a federal lawsuit against the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for denying her the numberplate “8THEIST”.

When Shannon Morgan attempted to register the numberplate, her request was denied because 8THEIST “may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency”, which she claims is a violation of her First Amendment rights of free speech, according to the Associated Press.

The woman reportedly attempted to register “BAPTIST” with out any issues, and so believes that the system is unfairly discriminating against those without faith.

descrier.co.uk

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Originally Posted by FailSafe

you can't get approved for 'FUCK YOU' or 'EAT SHIT' either.

don't quite equate with 8THEIST do they ?

No, though they all would be protected under free speech, but personalized license plates aren't 'free speech'- you can't get many plates that are less extreme than my examples.

I understand the point of the OP, but I also see the point of not allowing plates that will potentially enrage morons.

I don't see any that would offend anyone's religious or political sensibilities, and those are the two issues that cause the most problems in the US.

Actually, having looked at it, I'm surprised NGGA PLZ got approved- I wouldn't be surprised if that got recalled later- there were some good ones.

People take religion too seriously in the States- it's pretty nuts.

I edited before seeing your post, but I would bet that one wouldn't have lasted long- personalized plates don't have lifetime validity- somebody would have bitched to DMV, and that's all it takes to get a plate reviewed.

I had a personalized plate in California (nothing obscene, but it was obscure) that I had to explain before it was approved.

Are you really surprised that a plate that could cause issues with a religious person wasn't approved? I'm not at all, and- considering the stupid shit that goes on over nothing- I agree with the decision for practical purposes.

In the interest of fair play here's a site with

“SPANKME” and 499 other rejected license plates

When it comes to vanity license plates, the State of Ohio is not amused.

It recently released a list of more than 500 rejected license plates and boy are there some doozies.

When we say doozies, we mean shocked that someone thought they could slip “BIGSEXE” or “IFARTED” under the Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ nose.

Those are far from the worse plates flatly rejected or reclaimed after a complaint between January 2010 and October.

Ohio's banned vanity license plates list | www.daytondailynews.com

The rules are as followed:
In reviewing requests for special license plates, the BMV shall reject any request that contains words, combinations and/or phrases (in any language or when read either frontward or backward) that

1. Are Profane (that is swearwords or expletives)
2. Obscene
3. Sexually explicit or
4. Scatological (having to do with fecal excrement);
5. Are so offensive that they could reasonably be expected to provoke a violent response from viewers without additional comment; or
6. Advocate immediate lawlessness, or
7. Advocate lawless activities.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I don't see any that would offend anyone's religious or political sensibilities, and those are the two issues that cause the most problems in the US.

...even in the 21st century, which would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad. And the reason the offense is still caused is the very fact that all who disagree with the idiocy are cowed into 'respectful' silence.

Which, thankfully, is now coming to an end.















Offense from a number plate? Road rage? Safety? Bullshit.

No. The argument is not (should not be) about 8THEIST versus "porn". It is about atheist versus believer.

From a quick search, you can have christian imagry on US plates, and christian mesages (e.g. "HESRZN").

Double standard.

Bullshit? Are you kidding?

Especially in the south, there are a load of religious nuts- people take offense from just about anything if they feel their religion is somehow being offended. Politics as well- there have been plenty of incidents set off by bumper stickers, especially vandalism.

I see the free speech aspect, but I also see the reality aspect- they have to look at plates with an, 'Is this going to set off any nuts?' approach- Americans are often too touchy about certain things, and the DMV had to proceed accordingly, even if it seems ridiculous.

Billboards aren't held to the same standard, apparently, and they're most likely covered by free speech laws in a way that government-issued license plates aren't.

I don't disagree with the atheist vs believer argument, but, again, I understand the potential ramifications- it's not about being fair- there's absolutely a double-standard, and there's a reason for that- very religious people tend to be a bit nuts, where atheists tend to be more reasonable.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

and there's a reason for that- very religious people tend to be a bit nuts, where atheists tend to be more reasonable.

LOL. Indeed.

I remember driving through Alabama when I was a kid, in my car with NY plates- I pulled over at a roadside diner to grab a bite, and a guy standing outside asked me if I was a Jew- I was taken aback, and said that I was Catholic- he said he thought everybody from NY was a Jew, and that they didn't like Catholics much around there either (this was in the buckle of the Bible Belt)- it was out of a movie- I swear I could hear banjos...

I was like, 'O-o-o-o-k-a-a-a-y- I'll be on my way'- I suddenly had the urge to be a few hundred miles north. It remains to this day one of my most vivid memories of the south- when I got to the University of Alabama (where I was visiting a friend) he just laughed and said that goes on all the time- where you go to church was a defining part of people's lives there.

If I had a plate like the one requested in the OP, I probably would have gotten my ass kicked (if Cletus could have puzzled it out).

USA is the subliminal:
Christianity=Nationalism=Militarism

All considered one and the same.
Dangerous.

Religion plays into the hands of the globalists, and while useful idiots will happily accept fairy tails and myths, these globalists will continue to play havoc on society globally, making billions in the process.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Driving isn't a right, and license plates have always been subject to approval- you can't get approved for 'FUCK YOU' or 'EAT SHIT' either.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

No, though they all would be protected under free speech, but personalized license plates aren't 'free speech'- you can't get many plates that are less extreme than my examples.

No, 'FUCK YOU' and "EAT SHIT' has nothing to do with free speech and isn't protected at all.


In the United States freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. There are several common law exceptions including obscenity,....

Cum guzzler? Ass orgy? Cum for you? People drive around with that on their cars? Fucking hell. What a culture.

Yeah, but '8theist' can't be allowed because it's offensive.

Ever watched that Top Gear programme where they drive into the South with old cars they have graffitied with slogans.
They where chased by nutters with guns.

Originally Posted by Mid

discriminating against those without faith.

Pretty broad statement, but I think i know what she means...

"You can only apprehend the Infinite by a faculty that is superior to reason." - Plotinus

I remember "4NIC8" being rejected a long time ago. Once saw a plate with "MANILOW" on it, how come that isn't offensive?