Posted on 01/06/2005 4:37:51 PM PST by Trupolitik
A Christian group is accusing the U.S. Secret Service of religious discrimination and censorship for issuing a memo that bans Christian crosses from the presidential inauguration parade later this month.
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian Defense Coalition, contends the Secret Service has "trampled the First Amendment and crushed religious freedom in the public square."
"Simply put, it is religious bigotry and censorship," he said. "It is even more troubling when one realizes that it is only Christian symbols that have been excluded from the inauguration parade."
Tom Mazur, spokesman for the Secret Service, told WorldNetDaily the prohibition is simply a security matter that has nothing to do with the religious nature of the cross.
"The reference to the cross is strictly in regard to structure, certainly not the symbol," he said. "There is no prohibition based on content, only structure or materials that could be used in a potentially harmful or threatening manner."
Yes, those dangerous crosses. Such horrific weapons.
I'd bet money the Pres. doesn't have a clue that the SS has put this rule in place. He's not a CINO and, moreover, I think he'd willingly acknowledge the vital role that the Almighty and Christians played in his landslide victory.
Hey SS (Secret Service).. How about those Jewish throwing stars?
Must be the German SS??
How about reading the entire article before you hyperventilate.
I agree. I can understand this time ONLY, because people carrying posters can't have them on sticks. (correct me if I'm wrong though)
I wouldn't put it past some idiot to snatch a cross away from someone and beat them with it in a fit of anger and jealousy.
Maybe just hold up a HUGE poster with a cross drawn on it??
/sarcasm
oh please... I'm sure that if the cross were made of poster board it would be okay.
The Secret Service memo says, in part:
With respect to signs and placards, the Secret Service would ask that these items be limited to items made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three feet in width, twenty feet in length and one-quarter inch thickness. As noted above, we are asking that supports for signs and placards be prohibited as these items may be used as a means of concealing weapons or as weapons themselves."
Additionally, the prohibition on structures includes props, folding chairs, bicycles, displays such as puppets papier mache objects, coffins, crates, crosses, theaters, cages and statues.
......snip......
Mazur said crosses would be allowed at the parade site if they conform to the same material and size restrictions applied to signs and placards. For example, a cross made of cardboard could be brought, he affirmed.
But Mahoney told WND that explanation "doesn't fly," arguing that the prohibition outlined in the memo bans crosses outright and does not say they are allowed if they meet certain restrictions, such as those mentioned for signs and placards.
..............
"To my knowledge, this is the first time the federal government has ever singled crosses out," said Mahoney. "I have been involved in public ministry and demonstrations for 27 years, and I have never heard of a cross being used as a weapon anywhere."
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42258
Mahoney is blowing smoke, IMO
LOL!!
If the objection is the materials and structure of a cross, I say that any group who wants to march as Christians wear parkas with huge cross appliques front and back.
I wonder if the SS is refusing to allow marching band majors to carry batons -- or those trombones could be lethal if used the wrong way!
Can we still bring holy water and garlic? How else can we fight off all those liberal vampires?
I think a ninja Star of David would be more dangerous.
Does the directive apply to spectators?
: )
Get over to the Freepathon thread and do right.
Everything we can do to help the secret service keep our beloved president safe is our obligation.
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