Arizona Interfaith Movement

Golden Rule License Plate

We’re proud to announce our newly re-designed Golden Rule License Plate for Arizona Drivers. This license plate is a gentle reminder about the Golden Rule for every-day living. Our new design went on sale on December 2nd, 2010.

If you have one of the older versions, it is still good. Ordering one of our beautiful new plates can be done by visiting the Arizona MVD Service Website. The cost of the plate is $25/year for standard lettering, and $50/year for personalized lettering. Proceeds from the plate support Golden Rule Education initiatives in Arizona.

The new plate has white letters and numbers on an even-more vibrant background. The message at the bottom states “Live the Golden Rule” as a reminder to all to counter road-rage and violence with peace and friendship.

Note: Changing your plate will not change your registration deadline. The yearly plate fee will be assessed with your yearly car registration.

We would like to thank all who use this license plate on their vehicles for their support of Golden Rule education in the community / state.

Order your Golden Rule License Plate now: Service Arizona (select “Personalized and Specialty Plates” and follow the directions to order your Golden Rule Plate).

Here’s a little history about our Golden Rule initiatives…

The anniversary of the Golden Rule License plate in Arizona is November, 2007,  and on May 13, 2010, Arizona became a Golden Rule State. Click here for the AZ State Golden Rule Resolution. (Golden Rule license plate ordering info is below as well.)

As we cherish these moments in history, we’d like to share with you how this all came about.  Our friend and former editor of the “Spiritual Life” section of the East Valley Tribune, Lawn Griffiths, said it so well, we’d like to share his article with you.

East Valley Tribune

Metro Phoenix’s East Valley region

December 29, 2007 – 1:10AM

Golden rule text graces state plates

Lawn Griffiths, Tribune

Arizona has a new themed license plate that reads, “Live the Golden Rule.” The plate suggests drivers do unto others as they would unto themselves — a concept that most religions have stated in their own words and language.

A subtle message to dissuade highway high jinks and road rage, the Golden Rule plate follows legislation in May 2003 that made Arizona the first “Golden Rule State.”

The colorful plate features a golden sun casting its rays as it rises above the Grand Canyon. A saguaro cactus sits on the right side of the plate. It states “Arizona” above and “Live the Golden Rule” below.

Getting the plate adopted was a project of the Arizona InterFaith Movement, which works to bridge dozens of religious faiths.

It was the dream of the late Mesa civic leader, Darl Andersen, whom some had called “Mr. Golden Rule.” Andersen, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had devoted the last two decades of his life promoting the golden rule and encouraging interfaith dialogue. He took hundreds of clergy from numerous faiths to lunch to talk about his own religion and to point out their common ground. He regularly handed out “Live the Golden Rule” bumper stickers that featured a one-foot ruler.

When he died seven years ago, family members put one of the bumper stickers on his casket, saying it summed up how he lived his life.

On Nov. 18, the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department made ordering the Golden Rule plate an option. It joins almost 40 kinds of themed license plates, many of which carry a statement such as “Pets enrich our lives,” “Early Detection Saves Lives” and “Be an Organ Donor. Plates also raise awareness for the three state universities, the University of Phoenix, disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart medalists and many others.

…Arlene McCabe of Mesa said the new license plates serve as a “reminder of kindness, civility and patience, rather than violence and aggression.” She said it “provides a basis for understanding and consideration, instead of road rage.”

The golden rule is such a natural principle to uphold, said the Rev. Paul Eppinger, Arizona InterFaith Movement director and one-time head of the Arizona Ecumenical Council. “It is found in the scriptures and teaching of every major faith group, and the words, though different, holds the same meaning.”

Eppinger gave examples: Bahai: “Blessed is he who prefereth his brother before himself”; Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful”; Jewish: “Love your neighbor as yourself”; Taoism: “I am good to the man who is good to me; likewise, I am also good to the bad man”; and Islam: “No one of you is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself.” “Wouldn’t it be terrific if each student learned the golden rule and put it into practice?” said Anne Taylor, InterFaith Movement business manager and an active Christian Scientist. “After all, this code of ethics is central to many secular groups, as well as many religions.”

“There is no room for rudeness, selfishness, hate or violence if we are treating our neighbor the way we want to be treated,” she said.

With the legislation that made Arizona a Golden Rule State, the public has been able to nominate people to be honored at annual Golden Rule awards celebrations. The fourth will be April 24. It will recognize organizations, religious centers, educators, businesses and government officials nominated for “living out the golden rule in profound ways,” Taylor said.

Taylor said even drivers leaving the parking garage after the annual celebration seemed to “exhibit more patience and courtesy.” Some religious schools, she said, are placing emphasis on teaching and applying the golden rule.

Secretary of State Jan Brewer’s office takes nominations on line for “Arizona Golden Rule Citizens” at www.azsos.gov/Info/golden_rule.htm.

The Golden Rule plate can be ordered at www.servicearizona.com. [or contact the AIFM office at 602-261-6703.]

Saturday, December 29, 2007| 2:58 pm

P.S.  It will be of interest to note that Governor Jan Brewer has continued her Golden Rule Program.  See: http://www.azgovernor.gov/GoldenRule.asp — one may nominate an Arizona citizen to be a Golden Rule citizen, and to receive a special certificate from the Governor’s office, which is quite special.