Posted on 06/20/2019 9:29:08 AM PDT by Kaslin
A large cross in Bladensburg, Maryland has been a source of controversy for years as we awaited the Supreme Court's decision on whether the symbol can continue to stand. A local post of The American Legion erected the Bladensburg Peace Cross in 1925. To most, the statue was dedicated to the memory of 49 local heroes who gave their lives serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in WWI. To the Humanist Association, it was an unconstitutional eyesore. They sued in 2014 arguing the cross violated the Establishment Clause and demanded its removal. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit agreed with the plaintiffs and declared the cross unconstitutional.
First Liberty Institute, representing the American Legion, asked the Supreme Court to overturn that decision. And on Thursday, they did. It was a 7-2 decision, with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting. Justice Samuel Alito offered the majority opinion.
US Supreme Court allows WWI "Peace Cross" to stay on public land in Maryland - but it's a complicated ruling https://t.co/JFd95WRDia pic.twitter.com/ljg6XEDG1g— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 20, 2019
"Although the cross has long been a preeminent Christian symbol, its use in the Bladensburg memorial has a special significance," Alito writes.
You can read the full opinion here.
“This is a landmark victory for religious freedom," said Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel to First Liberty. "The days of illegitimately weaponizing the Establishment Clause and attacking religious symbols in public are over. Our Founders would have been appalled at this attempt to make the government hostile to our religious heritage, history, and symbols. The attempted perversion of our Constitution is now over, and every American now has more freedom than they have had in decades, with a government no longer hostile to people or expressions of faith.”
I particularly enjoyed reading Gorsuch’s concurring opinion, basically saying that an “offended observer” does not have standing to sue. I hope that notion catches on.
It appears that the computer that issues RGB’s vote did not disappoint.
Glad to see the right ruling with a strong majority.
Tearing down monuments is totalitarian oppression. They want to erase history so that no one has any reminder of any other way to live than the liberal bullies’ official narrative.
“The attempted perversion of our Constitution is now over...”
THAT HAS to be THE most tone-deaf, and naive utterance among all the statements being made about this ruling.
The enemies of Constitutional religious freedom are simply going to fold like a cheap suit? NOT EVEN going to happen.
There’s ONE solution to that crap, and you can read it for yourself in Revelation 19:21.
Very pleased with this. I drive past the peace cross from time to time.
Glad it will continue to stand.
No all they did was protect a Historical monument. Notice that they said a Historical monument was way different from building a new monument.
They did it years ago in Arlington.
[[Notice that they said a Historical monument was way different from building a new monument]]
So then we can replace all the historical civil war monuments that were torn down then
also- our historical values and traditions and constitutional rights are all under attack- I wonder if they will get prote4ctioed under the historical protection argument?
also- our historical values and traditions and constitutional rights are all under attack- I wonder if they will get prote4ctioed under the historical protection argument?
Sure you can. </s>
Scalia tried to argue historical protection for marriage being between just a man and woman- He made a darn good argument too- but to no avail=- The liberal dominated SC voted in favor of gay marriage despite historical tradition that marriage is between man and woman-
We just better hope the court remains conservative majority for a good long time-
Praise God!
Maybe now Oklahoma and Arkansas can get those devil statues off their grounds. Do it!!!!!
Ginsburg and Sotomayor were the dissenters.
The former was appointed by Clinton, the latter by Obama.
Now you know what a President Biden, Sanders or Kamala Harris will appoint to be Supreme Court Justice.
Our First Amendment rights are hanging by a thread.
Interesting that the photographer caught cross shaped utility polls in background.
Then a group of patriots should meet them, and install a victory arch next to the cross after they win the Battle of Bladensburg 2019.
“saying that an “offended observer’ does not have standing to sue. I hope that notion catches on.”
I love how he expressed that. It’s perfect. Like you, I hope it catches on. The Perpetually Offended can fade into the woodwork and embrace the suck. We have had enough of their bullying.
Good. It is a historical monument.
I just hope that we actually have a conservative court, I am no convinced by any means.
Kagan broke with her two commie comrades? Pleasant surprise.
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.