Religious Freedom, Property Rights vs. Government Control. Vermont: remove the Cross of Dozulé

As the left falls all over itself to claim that building the Ground Zero Mega-Mosque is the perfect chance to “showcase” our “Constitutional freedoms” and our religious tolerance, there is another state where religious tolerance is not as noticeably on display as it is for New York’s Muslims . Naturally, in Vermont, it is the religious freedom of Christians being denied. To be sure, the Old Media is not nearly as interested in this story.

Richard and Joan Downing own a hilltop property in Lyndonville, Vermont and on that property they’ve built a family chapel where they host weekly Catholic services for all. Next to the chapel they have also erected a 24-foot-tall cross called the Cross of Dozulé, a cross that the State of Vermont is insisting that they remove. (Visit The Chapel of the Holy Family website)

How does the State of Vermont justify its demands that the family pull down the cross? Vermont officials are citing environmental regulations that give it the power to determine what sort of construction violates the “aesthetics” of Vermont’s scenery.

In their 70s, the Downings built their Catholic chapel in 2005 to serve their large extended family. The Downings’s chapel is used by their seven children, three of them adopted, and the 35 foster children they helped raise over the years. The chapel is also open to the general public.

The Cross of Dozulé, or the “Cross of Love,” is an homage to those erected by Catholics in thousands of places across the globe. Some Catholics believe that the cross is a reminder for humanity to avoid spiritual decline by submission to God’s will. It is also, they believe, a reminder God’s love for us. As such it is to be fully lighted at night so as to be easily seen.

It is the lighting of the cross that initially caused the problem. Some neighbors complained that the lighting was too bright and it seems that this forms the basis of the State’s decision to force the family to pull the cross down.

The regulations in question, Vermont Act 250, is a law written in the 1960s meant to stop out-of-state “hippies” from buying local property and pitching tent cities there creating eyesores and sanitation hazards. The regulation requires landowners to get land use permits before construction.

This case contrasts nicely with the Ground Zero Mosque, though. In New York a Muslim Imam that is well known for wanting to push Sharia laws on the U.S. — a foreign concept that would destroy religious liberty where instituted – is seeing his rights being touted as preeminent. On the other hand in Vermont a family that only wants to display a cross to inform viewers of God’s love is having their religious freedom denied.

It is instructive to note which story is most covered in the Old Media. The rights of the Muslims in New York is the talk of the media while the rights of the Christians in Vermont is practically invisible in that same media establishment.

Here is a mosque inside the pentagon. Remember how shameful it was that they did not allow Graham to pray INSIDE the Pentagon so

Graham prayed alone, OUTSIDE of the Pentagon. Is it because precisely here is a mosque INSIDE the pentagon?

IS THAT TOLERANCE??? Reverse tolerance...

Islam is NOT a religion. They hide behind the "religion" curtain to have us fooled and accuse us of intolerance. It's a political cult following sharia law, their judicial system. Can you compare sharia to our 10 Commandements??? Does sharia law look religious to you???

Please read:

Islam is the new communism - American Thinker

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2575591/posts

We aren’t cowards, FRiend. You are right about the need for the Greek Orthodox Church to gain permission to rebuild. I, too, am sick of it. But it is the left who are cowards. They are hiding their hatred behind lies, their evil treatment of others behind soft words. Truth is shown only in their actions, and lack of actions. Your displeasure with those actions that shouldn’t be, and with the lack of those that should, show your good heart. I am not attempting to disparage those on the left simply because of their being on the left. My grandfather was of the left, and didi much good, many years ago. I point out the unwillingness to defend the truths of this land due to things not matching one’s personal point of view. I am old enough to recall a time when it was common to hear, “I don’t agree with you, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say that.” I miss that candor, and respect for the underpinnings of our land, regardless of the point of view of the person who says it. But, really, the easy, cowardly way was taken by the ones who said the end justifies the means.

Very nice said. Sadly, "the left are cowards"...THEY ARE WINNING (republicans are not better even if they run congress again) and the mosques EVERYWHERE are being built and OUR CROSSES are being removed. So call it what you want but the cowards ARE US!!! As simple as that. When and if...we will be able to go on the terrain and FIGHT to stop ANYONE who wants to remove our crosses, then may be I will stop saying we are cowards. When we will be strong enough and won't be AFRAID to stop the building of a mosque either in Tennessee or on Ground Zero and we will have the courage to say: ISLAM IS NOT A RELIGION but a theocracy who obeys to a political book called SHARIA, then may be I will stop saying we are cowards.

That day, when we will all go in the streets with pitchforks and STOP anyone who wants to remove our crosses or our churches, then that day I will stop saying we are cowards.

Period. As simple as that. That day is not there yet. And it may be too late when and if we wake up.

Here is a mosque inside the pentagon. Remember how shameful it was that they did not allow Graham to pray INSIDE the Pentagon so

Graham prayed alone, OUTSIDE of the Pentagon. Is it because precisely here is a mosque INSIDE the pentagon?

IS THAT TOLERANCE??? Reverse tolerance...

Islam is NOT a religion. They hide behind the "religion" curtain to have us fooled and accuse us of intolerance. It's a political cult following sharia law, their judicial system. Can you compare sharia to our 10 Commandements??? Does sharia law look religious to you???

Please read:

Islam is the new communism - American Thinker

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2575591/posts

I just received this email - they don't even hide it. How stupid can we be...:

Subject: Prison Ministry - The Muslim Question

I have never seen this presented so clearly. This is excellent.

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry.

The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the United States , especially in the minority races!!!

"Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance.

During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers...

When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:

'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, the replied, 'Non-believers!'

I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in h eaven Is that correct?'

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!'

The Imam was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question:

Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?'

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the Diversification' training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic Imam , and exposing the truth about the Muslims' beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President!

I think everyone in the US should be required to read the above email - also read about Sharia law and be afraid - be very afraid

When we know that, if we cannot wake up NOW and fight against that horrible invasion, by liberals, communists and islamists, of our country and values and let anoyone stop us to pray or celebrate Christmas or put crosses for our fallen heroes or even say the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools, then I say it again - WE ARE COWARDS. Get used to it.

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