Republican Utah Gov. Gary Herbert signed a statewide law Monday that standardized license plates reading “In God We Trust.” Utah is now the 20th state to offer the license plate as a standard option, The Salt Lake Tribune reports. The slogan, which is the U.S. national motto, has drawn the ire of activist atheist groups. The law will take effect Jan. 1 of 2017.
“This state was founded by people who came here believing that God was leading them to a place where they could have
refuge from persecution and worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience,” Herbert said at the bill signing. The slogan was previously available as a specialty plate that required an extra fee. The state’s support of the motto comes at a time when the phrase is under increasing fire. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has campaigned to have the motto taken off U.S. currency. READ MORE
