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American man sues state for right to call himself God

An American atheist has sued a state in the country for not allowing him to bear God.

The many plate numbers belonging to Bernie Hart

Daily Mail reports that Hart who has been a staunch atheist for many years, sued the State's Transportation Secretary, Greg Thomas, after the Kentucky DMV rejected his application to keep the license plate he used for 12 years in Ohio, dismissing it as vulgar and offensive.

Hart who has received support in his lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky (ACLU-KY) and Freedom From Religion Foundation, says his fundamental human rights have been tampered upon.

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He added that government officials should not have the ability to deny personalized plates based on religious or political preferences.

A statement signed by ACLU-KY Legal Director William Sharp, reads:

"Under the First Amendment, government officials do not have the authority to censor messages simply because they dislike them.

And in this instance, personalized license plates are a form of individual speech equally deserving of First Amendment protection."

Hart who became an atheist at the age of 15, said no one definition of God is more righteous than the other, and as such, he has every right to claim to be God.

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"I simply want the same opportunity to select a personal message for my licence plate just as any other driver.

Well, there are six definitions of God in the American Heritage Dictionary. Number five is a very handsome man and my wife says I'm a very handsome man, and nobody argues with my wife."

Hart has vowed to pursue his case to the supreme court if the state of Kentucky keeps denying him the right to put God on his number plate.

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