Mayor says "Christians to guard Cross"

Manawatu Evening Standard [New Zealand] ^ | September 18 2003 | Bevan Hurley & Susan Fountaine

[shaggy eel]

The Lions' Den may have gone, but any move to remove the cross atop Palmerston North's clock tower will not happen because we're too Christian, says Mayor Mark Bell-Booth.

His comments come a day after Cr Anne Podd and a spokesman for the Hopwood family, who gave the clock tower to the city, urged the council to remove the cross.

Mr Bell-Booth said the cross was "an iconic symbol" in the city and sent out a positive message.

"It would be the most commonly recognised symbol in Western society, and people choose to wear it round themselves.

"Thousands of (Palmerston North) people would have symbolic crosses that they wear themselves."

Mr Bell-Booth estimated that 70 to 85 percent of local people had a Christian affiliation.

"It's overwhelmingly in favour of the Judaic-Christian faith."

Earlier this week, Cr Podd and Bill Bendall said the time was right to remove the cross as part of City Heart redevelopments in The Square.

Cr Podd said the city centre should be free of religious affiliation. She said designers had come up with new ideas for the clock tower, and they should be considered by the City Heart Steering Committee as alternatives.

But Mr Bell-Booth doubts the campaign to tear down the cross will get much public support.

"I don't think that it's going to gain a lot of traction. Even if the council voted to take it down, I think there would be a huge outcry."

Astrological psychologist, witch and committed Christian Jillian Whyte suggests replacing the existing cross with an Aquarian version that will embrace the whole community.

Ms Whyte said an Aquarian cross would be a more balanced option as the vertical (or masculine) line is the same length as the horizontal (or feminine) line. It also contains two intersecting circles representing heaven and earth.

The Aquarian cross has its roots in Christianity but is more spiritual.

"It's not about throwing the baby out with the bat hwater," she said.

From her Square Edge shop, which was the original mayor's office, Ms Whyte can see the cross. While she has nothing against it, she believes it is dated.

"We're in a changeover period from old to new, so we need to do a new cross," she said.

She predicts the heaviness the city has been feeling will lift if the cross is changed, which will have positive results for the community at large.

"Palmerston North has the potential to lead the way with this," Ms Whyte said.

According to Statistics New Zealand the number of Palmerston North Christians has been steadily dropping over the past decade. But they still have strong support in the city.

In 2001, when the census allowed people to tick up to four religions, Christian religions received 40,035 ticks.

In 1996, people could only affiliate with one religion, and 44,067 had said they were Christian; 47,538 had identified as Christian in the 1991 census.

In 2001, 2370 people were affiliated to a non-Christian religion, 900 were Maori Christian, and 20,727 said they had no religion. There were 4350 people did not answer the question.

[shaggy eel]

It's happening in the United States, it's happening in New Zealand. The agenda spills out into the community to poison it.

[shaggy eel]

FYI

[shaggy eel]

FYI

[cyborg]

Hey are they wearing the same tinfoil hat as the American Athiests who didn't like the 9-11 cross?

[Cool Guy]

Cr Podd said the city centre should be free of religious affiliation. She said designers had come up with new ideas for the clock tower, and they should be considered by the City Heart Steering Committee as alternatives.

I will base my new religion on that symbol or I can point to some religion where it is used. Will they tear it down again? I will then change my religious affiliation to the new design. Total Idiots.

[BlessedByLiberty]

I've got it - why not the religion of the STOP sign, or the religion of the Red, Green Yellow lights? Maybe they'll have to take them all down.

Better yet, the religion of the parking meter! Take them all down - government even makes us tithe to the meter!

[nickcarraway]

ping

[nickcarraway]

ping

[shaggy eel]

,,, this is an epidemic. It comes out of socialist conferences and the seeds are spread upon delegates' return to their towns. Religion and the family unit must be broken down. Mayor Bell-Booth is OK, but generally speaking, city councils are the pinnacle of things not to place faith in.

[shaggy eel]

,,, it seems the only institution that's safe from desicration these days is cafes - the new temples, cluttered with self worshippers like Anne Podd.

[Peace will be here soon]

"There were 4350 people did not answer the question"

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I guess these were the people who were offended just to be asked the question.

[shaggy eel]

,,, maybe some of them thought it was none of the govt's business or the question was too big brother.

[GOP Jedi]

Save the clock tower! Save the clock tower!
(Then we'll all go down to the lake with Marty.)

Seriously, Miss Sister Witch Christian woman gives us a pretty good idea how an One World Religion might one day take root, one steeple at a time.

[shaggy eel]

,,, sadly, we've got a Prime Minister and quite a few wacko hangers-on who would support her to the max. UN worshippers.

[Peace will be here soon]

,,, maybe some of them thought it was none of the govt's business or the question was too big brother

---

Yes, so true, so true. ( How about those All Blacks ! I`m looking forward to 48 wonderful matches of RWC... England looks mighty tough though .... But I hope the All Blacks can pull it off... I`m a big Rugby fan here in the U.S... All I want is the USA Eagles to beat France.. Oh, how nice that would be.. ) Sorry for getting off the topic, I just can`t help myself.

[shaggy eel]

Sorry for getting off the topic, I just can`t help myself.

,,, claiming diminished responsibility still stacks up here! Fall into this hole if you've got the time to.

[Mr. Silverback]

You guys hang on down there. We're with you in spirit, and so will Jesus. The lion of our tribe is near!

[shaggy eel]

,,, thanx! Good to hear from you.

[blackie]

"Ms Whyte said an Aquarian cross would be a more balanced option as the vertical (or masculine) line is the same length as the horizontal (or feminine) line. It also contains two intersecting circles representing heaven and earth."

This bimbo doesn't have a clue ~ Jesus Christ was hung on a vertical (masculine) not an equal dimension (feminine) cross!

It's about the crucifixion!

[shaggy eel]

,,, exactly! Isn't it amazing how it all has to be rationalised to fit her determined profile?