Goshen man finally gets his "ATHE1ST" license plate after the ACLU intervenes.

Right here in Indiana.

Goshen man receives "ATHE1ST" license plate after appealing BMV's denial, by Ben Quiggle (Elkhart Truth)

After garnering statewide attention to his plight, Chris Bontrager finally has what he wanted all along: a personalized license plate on his car that reads "ATHE1ST."

The Goshen resident had his initial personalized plate request denied by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles in February and even now he has no idea why it was initially denied. The BMV turned down the request in a letter that does not cite the specific reasoning for the denial.

After getting the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana involved, Bontrager said the appeal process moved rapidly, culminating in receiving his new license plate in the mail on Monday. Bontrager said he had filed an appeals request with the state, but that the ACLU was able to prod the state along faster than expected and that he never had to testify before an appeals panel.

Indiana COA "rules on ‘In God We Trust’ plate suit."

A little more than a month ago, we glanced at the license plate on that Hummer speeding down Spring Street and speculated aloud:

I wonder if Major Moves is paying the difference?

The Indiana Court of Appeals travels to Greencastle Oct. 14 to hear arguments in a case involving Indiana’s “In God We Trust” license plates.

As a follow-up, and again courtesy of Indiana Lawyer and M, here's the court ruling:

COA rules on ‘In God We Trust’ plate suit.

Not charging an administrative fee for Indiana’s “In Got We Trust” license plates doesn’t violate the state constitution, affirmed the Indiana Court of Appeals today in an unpublished decision.

Speaking personally, I'd still rather drivers turn off their cell phones, keep two sets of hands and eyes on the wheel and road, and not apply eyeliner while in motion rather than trust in God.

Then again, I'm just an atheist on a bicycle.

I wonder if Major Moves is paying the difference?

Anyone for a brief church/state diversion? The hearing described below occurred yesterday, but there is no word yet on outcomes, if any. Speaking for myself, if one must pay to tout the physical environment on a license plate, then surely an equal tithe should be made to make a mockery of church-state separation.

From the Indiana Lawyer website, courtesy of M.

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Court of Appeals to hear license plate arguments in Greencastle
Mon. October 13 - 2008 ... IL Staff

The Indiana Court of Appeals travels to Greencastle Oct. 14 to hear arguments in a case involving Indiana’s “In God We Trust” license plates.

Judges Michael Barnes, Terry Crone, and Margret Robb will hear arguments in Mark Studler v. Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Ronald Stiver, in his official capacity as Commissioner, No. 49A02-0804-CV-385. Mark Studler filed a suit against the Bureau of Motor Vehicles challenging Indiana Code Section 9-18-24.5-1, which authorizes the specialty “In God We Trust” license plate at no additional charge. He contends offering the plate at no fee violates Article I, Section 23 of the Indiana Constitution. Studler had to pay a $40 administrative fee to get his environmental specialty plate.

Studler is appealing the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the BMV. Arguments begin at 10 a.m. at the Walden Inn and Conference Center on the campus of DePauw University, 2 W. Seminary St., Greencastle.