Religious displays up for vote in bills
Associated Press
Wednesday, May 14, 2008

COLUMBIA --- Faith in the public square would have a high profile in South Carolina as three bills move closer to becoming law.

One creates license tags with "I Believe" in front of a cross, a second makes clear prayers can be offered before public meetings and a third allows set public displays of key historical legal foundation documents that would include the Ten Commandments.

They're all beginning to raise questions about whether the state is taking a role in promoting faith. "The South Carolina Legislature should not be in the business of telling people how or when to pray, whether to pray or to whom to pray," said Jeremy Gunn, the director of the American Civil Liberty Union's Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief in Washington.

State Sen. Yancey McGill, a Kingstree Democrat, got the car tag bill passed without even having a public hearing or debate.

"It's a great idea," he said Tuesday. "People don't have to buy them. But it affords them that opportunity. I welcome any religion tags."

What about Wicca, commonly referred to as witchcraft? "Well, that's not what I consider to be a religion," Mr. McGill said. And Buddhism? "I'd have to look at the individual situation. But I'm telling you, I firmly believe in this tag."

LOOKING TO RELIGION

Three bills in South Carolina's Legislature are centered on religion:

LICENSE PLATES : A bill proposing an "I Believe" tag depicting a cross is expected to be debated in the House next week.

PUBLIC PRAYER: Prayers before public meetings would be permitted.

TEN COMMANDMENTS: Set public displays of important historical documents, including the Ten Commandments, the Bill of Rights and the Emancipation Proclamation, would be permitted.

-- Associated Press

Reader Comments
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Augusta Chronicle. Please read our full comments policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the icon.
Your comment will be attributed to
YOUR MESSAGE:
You have 1200 characters left.


advertisement

advertisement

TopJobs


Augusta-area Top Jobs
Driving Haul Bricks to local construction sites. $-12hr & Full Benefits. Call us at 706.868.6800 J#101 Full Time, Permanent Position with great South Augusta Co. Pro Resources $185 Svc Fee PERM (more)
Driver Pick Up & Transport >NO EXP NEEDED $-400 | wk < Permanent Provide towing and roadside assistance in safe manner. Call (706)868-6800 Full & Part Time Positions Available with Great Local Co Pr... (more)
PARALEGAL SPECIALIST U. S. Attorney's Office, Augusta Salary Range: $46,625 - $73,329 For more information, go to: www.justice.gov | usao | gas | employment | Vacancy.pd f (more)


© 2009 The Augusta Chronicle|Terms of service|About our ads|Help|Contact us|Subscribe|Local business listings


advertisement
advertisement