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Court Rules in Favor of Ground Zero Cross, Rejects Atheists' Appeal
Townhall.com ^ | July 28, 2014 | Sarah Jean Seman

Posted on 07/29/2014 5:04:55 AM PDT by Kaslin

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the 17-foot cross beam salvaged from the wreckage of Twin Towers will remain in the National 9/11 Museum, despite the very best efforts of American Atheists Inc.

In “American Atheists v. Port Authority of New Jersey and New York” the group asserted that the artifact's positioning in the museum towered "over any other symbols in the vicinity, expressing Christian primacy." It charged that the Latin cross's dominance violated the First Amendment Establishment Clause and the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution.

The judges found, however, that the "Ground Zero Cross" is a constitutional and an important symbolic artifact from the terrorist attack. According to the ruling:

"The stated purpose of displaying The Cross at Ground Zero to tell the story of how some people used faith to cope with the tragedy is genuine, and an objective observer would understand the purpose of the display to be secular...there is no evidence that the static display of this genuine historic artifact excessively entangles the government with religion."

This common sense ruling still comes as a major legal victory. Eric Baxter, Counsel for the Beckett Fund, noted that the court made a very key distinction:

“Even though the Ground Zero Cross is unquestionably a religious symbol, and holds deep religious meaning for many people—particularly those who found hope and inspiration in its discovery—the government does not violate the Establishment Clause by recognizing and educating others about the actual role played by religion in our history and culture.”

This historic relic will now continue to show the importance of religion in the United States for years to come.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: 911; atheism; courts; firstamendment; law
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1 posted on 07/29/2014 5:04:56 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

violated the First Amendment Establishment Clause

How does having a cross “establish” an official religion?


2 posted on 07/29/2014 5:07:31 AM PDT by logic101.net (How many more children must die on the altar of gun free zones?)
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To: Kaslin

American courts acting American ... priceless.


3 posted on 07/29/2014 5:07:39 AM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true .. I have no proof .. but they're true.)
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To: Kaslin

Meanwhile, other federal appeals courts sounded the death knell for marriage and family in the United States—with barely a whimper from conservatives who gobble up any little crumb that might fall from the table of the lunatic left.


4 posted on 07/29/2014 5:07:57 AM PDT by madprof98
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To: Kaslin
Yes....They're finally getting the establishment clause right.

Now about the kids using God in their graduation speeches and carrying a bible around......

5 posted on 07/29/2014 5:08:07 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: Kaslin

Isn’t a cross of iron in this museum exactly an act of congress establishing a religion?

Sarcasm, of course. These atheists aren’t just mean spirited, they are supremely stupid.


6 posted on 07/29/2014 5:08:15 AM PDT by samtheman
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To: Kaslin

Loving this good news!!!!


7 posted on 07/29/2014 5:08:56 AM PDT by Guenevere
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To: Sacajaweau

Those are examples of the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment, the Establishment clause’s long-lost brother.


8 posted on 07/29/2014 5:14:37 AM PDT by IronJack
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To: logic101.net

The funny thing is that it isn’t a “cross”. It make look like a cross but it was not designed to be a cross. There are many things shaped like a cross. Do they want to eliminate everything in a cross shape? These people are insane.


9 posted on 07/29/2014 5:15:21 AM PDT by ilovesarah2012
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To: Kaslin

Thank-you and God Bless!


10 posted on 07/29/2014 5:19:23 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: madprof98

One thing at a time, one thing at a time.


11 posted on 07/29/2014 5:20:31 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: ilovesarah2012

Look online for the origins of this cross in question. You will be amazed.


12 posted on 07/29/2014 5:21:23 AM PDT by Biggirl (“Go, do not be afraid, and serve”-Pope Francis)
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To: ilovesarah2012

"Zumtimes a cross ist chust two pieces of schteel."

13 posted on 07/29/2014 5:22:54 AM PDT by Eccl 10:2 (Prov 3:5 --- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding")
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: Kaslin
Why would atheists be offended by the mere existence of a cross if they don't believe it has any significance?
No one is forcing them to worship at the cross.
They can just treat it as a lamp post and walk on by...

15 posted on 07/29/2014 5:32:21 AM PDT by BitWielder1 (Corporate Profits are better than Government Waste)
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To: Kaslin

Another smack down for hate filled, militant atheists. Well done folks!


16 posted on 07/29/2014 5:35:52 AM PDT by armydawg505
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To: Biggirl

I remember when the pic was first published. It was amazing. But it was not made as a cross, therefore I don’t think the atheists could say it was. They are just nuts.


17 posted on 07/29/2014 5:43:42 AM PDT by ilovesarah2012
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To: Kaslin

A rare victory... glad to see it!


18 posted on 07/29/2014 5:43:53 AM PDT by ScottinVA (If it doesn't include border security, it isn't "reform." It's called "amnesty.")
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To: ilovesarah2012

Madalyn Murray O’Hair is tumbling in her grave...


19 posted on 07/29/2014 6:05:24 AM PDT by Shady (The lies are slowly wrapping around the throat of the Liberals...)
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Year Long FReepathons!
Sound Good?
No?


Click The Pic To Donate

DONATE

20 posted on 07/29/2014 6:15:22 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
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