Driving Religion

Last week South Carolina authorized sale of a new auto license plate decorated with a Christian cross and the words "I Believe." I have misgivings.

To step around those nuisance establishment clause problems, South Carolina is offering the plate at cost, so neither the state nor a sponsoring organization will make money from it. Further, drivers will have to request the "Christian" license plate. The standard South Carolina license plate remains religion-free.

Even so, the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Jewish Congress are considering lawsuits. The ACLU considers the plate to be an attempt at state promotion of a particular religion. Indeed, if the state isn't making money from the plate, what other point does it have?

Although it was fun to imagine a Buddhist license plate (a Zen license plate would, of course, be blank), I think religious license plates are a bad idea spiritually, not just legally.

At the Washington Post's "On Faith" web site, the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, a Baptist minister, opposes the plates on religious grounds.

As a minister, I have to question the benefit of placing an image of a sacred symbol on a motor vehicle tag. The license plate does not explain the meaning of the cross to those unaware of its importance in Christianity. The license plate placards the statement “I Believe” but does not say what that belief is. Is this a proper and effective medium of Christian witness?

The South Carolina legislators perhaps weren't thinking about all those crosses splashed with mud and covered with road grime. But what were they thinking?

Followers of all religions often make their religions part of their self-identities. When we do this, religion becomes another layer of ego armor -- the emotional and conceptual stuff we wrap around our egos for protection. And then religion quickly can devolve into a kind of tribal identity.

You've probably encountered people who've made religion a cause, but not a practice. For example, for the past few Decembers some conservative activists and pundits have created a controversy over department store clerks who wish customers "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas." Never mind that not all sales clerks or customers are Christian.

I've heard Christian ministers complain that Christmas has become too commercial and ought to be taken out of department stores and put back into church. Indeed, if Christmas is sacred, the garish commercial festival we've made of it seems irreverent. I say the "war on Christmas" people are not defending the religion of Christianity. Instead, they are trying to bully department stores into reinforcing their Christian tribal dominance.

And, frankly, I think the "Christian" license plates are about reinforcing tribal dominance, also.

In light of the doctrine of anatman, the issue of religion and self-identity is particularly critical in Buddhism. I sometimes say "I am a Buddhist," but I always cringe a little inside when I do so, because there's something about that wording that seems to defile the Dharma.

To say I practice Buddhism is less of a problem -- it makes Buddhism something I do rather than something I am. On the other hand, maybe Buddhism is practicing me. It feels that way sometimes.

So, I will take a pass on a cool blank Zen license plate and a "Honk if you love Buddha!" bumper sticker. But I admit I would like a T-shirt that says "Don't Mess With the Dakini!"