Outraged Couple Protests State Action : ‘GOD’ Barred From Maryland License Plates

The state is recalling all vanity license plates with “GOD” on them, angering a churchgoing Baptist couple who have had the license tags “GOD IS” for 10 years.

“We’ve had objections to the mention of a deity on a state license plate,” said Nancy Brown, a Motor Vehicle Administration official. “We received verbal and written correspondence, and one letter would be enough to look into it.”

She said a computer check revealed about 15 “God” plates, including ONE GOD, GODS KID, GOD CAN, and GOD FIRST. All will soon receive recall letters if they haven’t already, she said.

The agency sent inquiries to 48 states to see what tags they deem questionable. Of the 39 states that answered the request, 13 states cited reference to “a deity” on tags, Brown said.

Magdalena and Milton Klepfish were ordered this week to turn in their “GOD IS” tags within 30 days.

“How, how can they tell me I can’t talk about God on my license plate?” Magdalena Klepfish, 63, a retired nurse, asked. The suburban Randallstown couple, members of Colonial Baptist Church, said they were told by the MVA that the GOD tags were not in good taste.

“We should be able to face our accusers in court,” said Milton Klepfish, 64, a retired pharmacist. “I want to find out if they have something against me or something against God.”

Even though the Chevrolet Citation with the GOD IS tags was in the garage Thursday, the Klepfishes plan to “take it out until the very last day I can use it,” Magdalena Klepfish said.