Posted on 05/25/2009 2:42:41 PM PDT by Iam1ru1-2
Some see it as the universal symbol of sacrifice in World War I, others see it as the undisputed sign of Christianity, but it will be up to the Supreme Court to make a final determination as to whether a 7-foot cross remains standing in a California desert to memorialize war veterans.
The cross was first erected in 1934 in what is now the federally protected Mojave Desert Preserve by a group of veterans whose doctors advised them that the desert heat would help them recover from shell shock.
Veterans today say this war memorial and others like it across the country that use religious symbols are under attack by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). *
"They are not the enemy; they are just dead wrong," says Joe Davis, spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
But the civil liberties group says the cross is offensive to Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and other non-Christian veterans.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I’m Jewish and, God help me, I will stand in front of that cross to prevent anyone from removing it. Why? Because Christian Americans died to protect my freedom and I’ll be damned if their memory is so betrayed. Our nation was founded on Judeo-Christian values and will perish without them.
THANK YOU!! GOD BLESS!
I keep reading this argument. It is 2009. A lot of things have changed in 300 years. It makes sense that some things become secular in the face of that.
Established memorials are no different than historic buildings. They should remain as they are and not be subjected to removal, I believe. Going forward, allow for memorials that celebrate the remembered in some other way than their religious beliefs.
Snivelling little whiney a** liberal morons offend me. Can we please declare them unconstitutional and remove them from the country? Please? In fact, I think we should go back 75 years and remove all references to Eugene Debs, Jimmy Carter, William Ayers, and others like them.
In the same way that others’ practicing their freedom of religion offends this idiots; their practicing their freedom of speech offends me and I belive the government should do something about it. Or I’m going to cry. Really Loud. I affirm (can’t swear; wouldn’t want to offend)
/frustrated sarcastic rant
“It makes sense that some things become secular in the face of that.”
Why? Time erases Eternal Truth?
well you half right, None of My Rights come from The Constitution, All my Rights come from My Creator (GOD), the Constitution limits the power of government.
then can there still be a freedom of the press?
There never has been, in living memory.The Associated Press was founded in the middle of the Nineteenth Century. And since all journalists are associated, all journalists are "objective" - meaning, their product is a homogeneous promotion of journalism. And since the business of journalism is superficial and negative toward everyone who doesn't go along and get along, that consensus is naturally radical.
“If they want to erect a Star of David that would not be offensive since Christianity’s base is based on the Jewish Scriptures. But no other religion’s symbols.”
Sorry, that’s not what the Constitution says. You either honor all religiions or none. No middle ground. Nowhere in the Constitution will you find any reference whatsoever to America as a Christian nation.
They should keep the cross where it is. But to say no other religions should be honored, besides the ones we deem fit, goes against everything the 1st Amendment stands for.
I’m not at all advocating violence, but if these commie clowns at the Anti-Christian Liberties Union keep it up they may find themselves on wrong end of the Constitution one of these days, specifically the 2nd Amendment.
Even if it were offensive to non-Christians, how does that constitute a reason to take them down? People don’t have a right to not be offended.
Your "Eternal Truth" is not the nation's "Eternal Truth".
I keep reading this argument. It is 2009. A lot of things have changed in 300 years. It makes sense that some things become secular in the face of that.America was founded on Christian Principles
Established memorials are no different than historic buildings. They should remain as they are and not be subjected to removal, I believe. Going forward, allow for memorials that celebrate the remembered in some other way than their religious beliefs.
Fine theory you've got there. But you see, there is this little problem. Actually, two problems. For one thing, governments print money, and it is important to governments for its currency to be perceived to have value. Consequently, currency generally does make reference to a deity.Secondly, there is the finality of death, from which perspective nothing secular is of any value whatsoever. In that context, nothing but a religious symbol can have any pretense of meaning.
Then let the church award the symbol.
How does an “Eternal Truth” fail to be universal?
Actually, they are different, but if they were identical, then the particular cross should be maintained exactly as erected with Federal Dollars and placed on the Historical Register.
Their difference lies in the intent and implicit contract made in their establishment. Memorials, including headstones on a grave in a cemetery, are erected and contracted by Federal regulation, to be perpetually maintained. They are maintained because an agreement between the nation and the person memorialized is being fulfilled in that memorial.
If they are not maintained, then the federal government has been negligent in fulfilling its promise to memorialize the person so recognized, hence no longer a memorial.
BTW, anybody offended by the Cross, will not be satiated by its removal, but will further degenerate into demanding respect only for their beliefs. The Cross, unlike modern day Judaism or Islam emphasizes Perfect Eternal Judgment. Those who have a problem with the Cross, have a problem with Judgment and Justice. Some believe they do not need redemption, and God will simply overlook unrighteousness because of something good they might perform, or they believe God will only accept them by their future righteousness in something they seek or perform, but in both cases they fail to find a Perfect Righteousness that may be offered for expiation, redemption, and atonement for any type of sin, which resulted in an initial separation from God's fellowship in perfect righteousness and perfect justice, i.e. His Perfect Holiness.
The bottom line here is that any person offended by the meaning of the Cross has deeper problems with Justice. If our Supreme Court fails to honor the basics of Justice, then they also become part of our national problem with virtue.
The suit worked its way through the system and, in 2004, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the memorial violated the First Amendment clause forbidding an establishment of religion and ordered its removal.
The fact that the SCOTUS took the case means the Ninth Circus Court of Delusions will, once again, be reversed.
...it will be up to the Supreme Court to make a final determination as to whether a 7-foot cross remains standing in a California desert to memorialize war veterans. The cross was first erected in 1934 in what is now the federally protected Mojave Desert Preserve by a group of veterans whose doctors advised them that the desert heat would help them recover from shell shock. Veterans today say this war memorial and others like it across the country that use religious symbols are under attack by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "They are not the enemy; they are just dead wrong," says Joe Davis, spokesman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). But the civil liberties group says the cross is offensive to Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and other non-Christian veterans.Rio de Janiero had better watch its step too.
What is offensive about a Christian symbol to those of other faiths?
Where is the “tolerance” —the respect for “diversity” etc etc etc?
Nowhere in the constitution, but MANY places in Supreme Court/lower court opinions of history is America called a “Christian Nation”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.