Lynn’s group said in a news release “that other religions will not be able to get similar license plates expressing differing viewpoints, nor can a comparable ‘I Don’t Believe’ license plate be issued.

“The state has made believers of non-Christian faiths feel that they are second-class citizens,” Lynn said. “Under our Constitution, that’s impermissible.

On the one hand, I’m not really against religious symbolism on license plates but the guidelines for creating such plates needs to be applied equally to all religions. On the other hand, I find the idea in general to be far too tacky and kitschy to support.

One’s faith should be demonstrated by the way one lives - not by what they put on their bumper.

“If I were never to get elected or serve in another capacity because I pronounce my faith as a Christian, I don’t have a problem with that,” Bauer said.

Neither do I.

I believe that this is in large part the result of the professionalisation of so many roles in society. We need not intervene in a medical emergency, because we have health professionals, we need not intervene in a domestic row about to turn violent, because that’s what the police are around for. This results in hardness of heart from ourselves, and hardness of heart from those who then face these events daily, if not hourly. If instead we all did the basics, we could share this burden.

We should refuse to abdicate these roles to the state, because in doing so, we make them into professions, removed from the human level of interaction. This isn’t to say we should get rid of professionals, but we shouldn’t be relying on them. Instead, we should be forever opening our eyes to that which is going on around us.

Whilst I’ve struggled to get myself first aid trained, a situation like this is a reminder that we should all be trying to learn how to help each other. Learn Conflict Resolution (groups like CPT will at least point you towards training), learn 1st Aid, learn about mental health issues (though be careful from where you learn).