Rutland, USA - Vermont officials argue that religion has no place on the license plates of cars and trucks.
The state has filed its response to a federal lawsuit filed by Shawn Byrne of Rutland.
He wants the state to issue him a license plate that says "JOHN316," which is a reference to a passage in the Bible.
The state argues in its response that Burne could put a bumper sticker on his car if he wants to display a religious message.
The attorney general's office says license plates are government property and a religious message would improperly imply a state sanction of it.