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N.J. motorist wins atheism lawsuit
By LIAM STACK
New York Times

Drivers in New Jersey will be able to request vanity license plates that reference their belief in atheism after the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission settled a lawsuit this month filed by a woman whose request for a license plate that said “8THEIST’’ was rejected three years ago.

Shannon Morgan of Leesburg, N.J., applied for the license plate in November 2013 but was told her application had been denied because the plate “may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency,’’ according to court papers posted online last week.

After she received that rejection, Morgan used the state’s online application form to apply for a plate that said “BAPTIST’’ and was quickly approved, said Richard B. Katskee, the legal director for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an advocacy group in Washington that acted as her legal counsel. It sued the commission in April 2014.

“She rightly realized that it was a straight-up case of religious discrimination against atheists and nonbelievers,’’ Katskee said.

The Motor Vehicle Commission rejects that characterization. A spokeswoman said the rejection of Morgan’s initial application was an “oversight.’’

“Yes, there was an initial denial, but as soon as it was brought to our attention it was rectified immediately,’’ Mairin Bellack said. “She has the right to apply for the plate, and the plate is available to anyone, including this individual.’’

New York Times