Atheist Group: 'Ground Zero Cross' An Insult

Talon News ^ | 09/10/03 | Jimmy Moore

[bedolido]

NEW YORK (Talon News) -- An atheist group is fighting an effort to place a cross at the site of the World Trade Center towers as a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The American Atheists, which was begun by renowned anti-Christian activist Madalyn Murray O'Hare before she died, are opposed to displaying the 20-foot tall cross that was found by a rescue worker named Frank Silecchia in the midst of the rubble just a few days after the buildings collapsed.

Silecchia said he "cried for 20 minutes after his discovery," the Associated Press reported at the time. "Some people will say it's velocity of physics that put it there. To me, it's an act of God."

That cross, along with many smaller crosses around it, served as a source of comfort for many of the construction workers, firefighters, policemen, and family members of the victims in the weeks following the loss of thousands of American lives.

The cross bears the names of police officers and firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. Also inscribed on the cross are the words "God Bless Our Fallen Brothers."

Nevertheless, American Atheists has threatened to sue for the right to keep this cross from becoming a part of a World Trade Center memorial.

"Tax money must not be used to construct any sectarian memorial," remarked American Atheists President Ellen Johnson.

Johnson said allowing the cross in the memorial would "insult the victims, rescue workers, and other Americans who are not Christians, who do not believe in a deity, and are not religious."

The project developer, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, indicated previously that the cross should be included as part of the memorial display.

Supporters of the "Ground Zero Cross," as it has become known, believe it should be a part of the memorial as a lasting symbol and tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks.

Copyright © 2003 Talon News -- All rights reserved.

[stuartcr]

Probably has to do with geometry.

[Blzbba]

Incidentally, Madalyn Murray O'Hare is responsible for our children not being able to pray in school.

Wrong. No child is prevented from quietly praying to themselves at any given time of the day. What IS prevented is school-sponsored, tax-paid teachers forcing children to pray Christian/Jewish/Muslim/etc prayers, which is a good thing IMO. But no child's thoughts can be monitored; thus, prayer is 100% allowable in schools as long as it isn't the hypocritical, forced 'street preaching' type.

[Tiki_Bar]

They sure like to raise a big stink about a God they say doesn't exist.

Every time I see a rainbow, I remember God's promise...
Let's outlaw rain too in the skies of America.

[Between the Lines]

Stuartcr, you for some reason are a very bitter person.

My prayers that God may grant you peace and comfort your soul. May God bless you and yours.

[the lone haranguer]

You're right; we (the mainstream majority) don't count. We are being forced to accept the beliefs of everyone else in the name of embracing diversity and not offending anyone. Why do relatively small groups have such a sway over public opinion/policy? We are expected to appreciate people's "diversity" and even though we are expected recognize diversity, we are also expected NOT to treat them any differently. Which will it be? Recognize diversity and treat everyone equally? Or, as the article seems to point out, are some people (the liberal minority) more equal than others? As a Christian, I want everyone to come to Christ, but I'll not drag them kicking and screaming. In the end, everyone has to answer for his or her own decision. I am simply saying that I am sick and tired of being seen as so mainstream that my opinions and beliefs don't count and I am saying that I want everyone to be saved by grace through faith, for the works God has prepared in advance for them to do. But I won't drag anyone kicking and screaming like these extremists do.

[agrace]

It IS beautiful. We live in NJ, about 30 mi west of Manhattan, and hadn't been down to Ground Zero until just 2 months ago. The cross is awesome.

[stuartcr]

Who belongs to the second italicised quote? Throughout history, many people were crucified, it is a pretty standard structural form.

[stuartcr]

I have no idea what goes on in the mind of others, especially atheists.

[norton]

Regarding OHare's body; I think it sort of dissolved when Dorothy spilled water on it.

Simple solution would be to sell about 25 square feet of NY land to any available private organization for about two bucks a foot, then let them maintain a "symbolic piece of the original towers" without further state or city aid.


Someone else posted about nut-cases and miracles;
OK, I've stated here before that I'm agnostic if anything at all.
However, throughout history there are symbols of justice, heroism, great causes, and utter failures.
A bayonetted rifle with helmet on the butt end and an empty pair of boots come immediately to mind.
Flags atop unscalable mountains come to mind.
A spartan helmet,
"High Water Mark" at Gettysburg,
The Stanley Cup,
The America's Cup,
"My kid is an honor student at Walter Mitty High" bumper stickers.....

A cross left behind after the physical structure was destroyed does honor to that history.

[mhking]

I wonder if O'hare is an atheist now.

She's an ex-O'Hare...

[fly_so_free]

Oh, yes, and lets not forget about how the ACLU-in the weeks right after 9/11- tried to sue elementary schools if they displayed God Bless America.

America- are you awake yet?

[MattAMiller]

The best memorial we could build is another set of TWIN TOWERS taller than they were before.

They are building a new complex, and a memorial will be a part of it. Remember that this is a huge chunk of land we're talking about.

[xp38]

Ok..what about the plus symbol? +

[andy58-in-nh]

"Get a Life?"

More like "Get a Soul".

I'm Jewish and not only do I not object to the cross, I was moved to tears when I first saw it. Leave it alone.

[aruanan]

Atheist Group: 'Ground Zero Cross' An Insult

You'd think they'd feel strongly enough about the 'god' in their name that they'd just call themselves "a-ists".

[xp38]

or the multiplication one. x

[bedolido]

someday... crossing your legs will be illegal

[stuartcr]

Why do you say I'm bitter? God has blessed me with a very peaceful life, and I'm constantly thanking Him for all that I have.

[MD_Willington_1976]

I’m not religious, and it doesn’t offend me in the least.

Same here...Just another "special Interest" group looking for their 15 minutes of fame...As to the matter of the Atheist group suing, when will a court have the balls to tell these jerks to STFU and then fine them for wasting the courts time...

[stuartcr]

That too.