\n
![](\"https:\/\/media.swncdn.com\/via\/20811-gettyimages-sergerandall.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The operator of a North Carolina license plate renewal office says he won\u2019t stop playing Christian music following a complaint and believes the controversy is indicative of a larger societal problem.<\/p>\n
Media across North Carolina have covered news about the dispute, which began when a customer who had visited a local DMV office in Lincolnton, N.C. — often called a tag office — complained to the state about Christian music that was playing in the office. The office is privately owned and contracted out by the state to sell renewals and tags,\u00a0WSOC-TV<\/a> reported. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The complaint also referenced military items that are sold in the office, said the operator, Matthew Craig.<\/p>\n Craig told WSOC he won\u2019t stop playing the Christian music or change anything in the office. A sign on the counter reads, \u201cHe has risen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI believe we have found ourselves in what many see as the sum of our country\u2019s problems,\u201d Craig told WSOC.<\/p>\n Craig said he will retire and close the office in March.<\/p>\n When the television station visited the office this week, it found plenty of supporters for Craig.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was ridiculous that anyone [would] be trying to close this office,\u201d customer William McCollough said. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the most efficient, kind people in town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf they want to play gospel music, I don\u2019t see nothing wrong with it. I like gospel music,\u201d said Sam Goodson, a customer. \u201cIt is what it is. You\u2019re not going to please everyone in this world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey don\u2019t want anything Christian, don\u2019t want any mention of God. And that\u2019s what is wrong with our nation today,\u201d said customer Betty Barger.<\/p>\n \u201cTo me, I think the world is going to the devil instead of where it should be,\u201d customer Betty Huss said.<\/p>\n Lincolnton Mayor Ed Hatley expressed frustration over the controversy.<\/p>\n \u201cPolitics should never come into play whenever it\u2019s something like this,\u201d Hatley told WSOC. \u201cWhat should come into play is do the right thing. We\u2019ve become too polarized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n