Atheist Group: 'Ground Zero Cross' An Insult

Talon News ^ | 09/10/03 | Jimmy Moore

[bedolido]

NEW YORK (Talon News) -- An atheist group is fighting an effort to place a cross at the site of the World Trade Center towers as a memorial to the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The American Atheists, which was begun by renowned anti-Christian activist Madalyn Murray O'Hare before she died, are opposed to displaying the 20-foot tall cross that was found by a rescue worker named Frank Silecchia in the midst of the rubble just a few days after the buildings collapsed.

Silecchia said he "cried for 20 minutes after his discovery," the Associated Press reported at the time. "Some people will say it's velocity of physics that put it there. To me, it's an act of God."

That cross, along with many smaller crosses around it, served as a source of comfort for many of the construction workers, firefighters, policemen, and family members of the victims in the weeks following the loss of thousands of American lives.

The cross bears the names of police officers and firefighters who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. Also inscribed on the cross are the words "God Bless Our Fallen Brothers."

Nevertheless, American Atheists has threatened to sue for the right to keep this cross from becoming a part of a World Trade Center memorial.

"Tax money must not be used to construct any sectarian memorial," remarked American Atheists President Ellen Johnson.

Johnson said allowing the cross in the memorial would "insult the victims, rescue workers, and other Americans who are not Christians, who do not believe in a deity, and are not religious."

The project developer, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, indicated previously that the cross should be included as part of the memorial display.

Supporters of the "Ground Zero Cross," as it has become known, believe it should be a part of the memorial as a lasting symbol and tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks.

Copyright © 2003 Talon News -- All rights reserved.

[A. Pole]

Johnson said allowing the cross in the memorial would "insult the victims, rescue workers, and other Americans who are not Christians, who do not believe in a deity, and are not religious."

Atheists protest too much. If they were really convinced about their position they would look at the believers in God with more relaxed attitute.

[Bikers4Bush]

The last time I checked a circle was the strongest geometric structure.

[Abynormal]

>>Is a symbol representing the different religions of all those killed, planned to be erected also? If not, why?<<

We demean the incredible emotions those rescue workers endured in that horrific task of combing through the rubble looking for the dead by arguing over the semantics of the symbolism of a cross. Let's keep it simple OK? The fireman found this 'cross' standing straight up among the other pieces of steel. It was HIS response in his heart (because he lives and understands the Power of HIS religion) and it gave him great comfort and hope. Why would you want to deprive those people of finding comfort and hope? Just because you or any non-Christian or atheist do not participate nor understand this spiritual connection, must you deny the millions who do?

Let's just take this issue to the courts OK? Let the athiests file charges on the separation of church and state issue. It will be thrown out. This no where resembles Congress making a law defining a religion for the country. Are you offended to visit the Arlington cemetary?

[stuartcr]

True, but it's not used much in buildings.

[cyncooper]

Madalyn Murray O'Hare is responsible for our children not being able to pray in school. She is believed dead, but they have never found her body after she disappeared.

Atheist leader's remains found on Texas ranch

Remains found on a Texas ranch belong to that of missing atheist leader Madalyn Murray O'Hair and other family members, her daughter-in-law said Thursday.

[Between the Lines]

I'm Jewish and not only do I not object to the cross, I was moved to tears when I first saw it. Leave it alone.

God has blessed you with compassion, understanding and wisdom. May He always walk with you.

[xp38]

You want to change the plus symbol from + to o? Kisses and Hugs for everyone! XOXOXOX

[Between the Lines]

Why do you say I'm bitter?

Read your own posts in this thread.

[stuartcr]

No where have I said I wanted to take anything away from anyone. I have a very deep spiritual connection with God, and very little offends me.

[Bikers4Bush]

Exactly, ever wonder why?

[stuartcr]

It must be in the interpretation.

[mhking]

Is a symbol representing the different religions of all those killed, planned to be erected also? If not, why?

Perhaps, perhaps not. And if not, it is because people associated with those faiths have chosen not to place one there.

However, for those who are not Christians to impose their will on those who choose to commemorate that ground with a cross, is simply wrong.

They insist that their sensibilities are affected by a cross. There is more ground to be had there; they can choose to stand and contemplate or meditate or pray (can they do that?) in an empty space. Christians are gratified that a symbol of their Faith is there, where they can feel comfortable in communion with the Spirit of God and in the shadow of where their loved ones died.

What the atheists want (in other words) is immaterial.

[TXnMA]

and if the person is an atheist, erect a big empty symbolic hole.

See #13...

[stuartcr]

As well it should be.

[Sloth]

Isn't this on private property?

[mhking]

That too.

OK. Now you're simply being silly.

[stuartcr]

Because it's too hard and expensive to build with curves??

[Blzbba]

"That cross was an intergal part of 9/11. There were pictures of it everywhere-in all the magazines. It meant , and still means, so much to the rescue workers and to our nation. It was a big part of the story"


I disagree. This is actually the first I've seen of this cross. Saying that a steel structure in the shape of a 'T' is a big part of 9-11 is an insult to the people who WERE a big part of 9-11: The victims, firemen, Port Authority, etc.


"But, it's 2 years later now and I see the effort is on to remove God from 9/11 . Has any one else noticed that pictures of the cross seem to be now missing from images being shown from the wreckage? It's like they have been edited out. This is being done delibrately I think. They are trying to distort reality and make a God-free version of 9/11 History. They don't want any one to remember how people turned to God that day, and what role He played in helping us through it."


With apologies, there were many people who felt God abandoned them & NYC on 9-11. I would probably feel similarly had I lost a loved one in that horrible event. I'm not sure God was anymore a part of 9-11 than he was a part of the far-worse Hiroshima, Nagasaki, the death ovens at Auschwitz and BergenBelsen, the 2.5 million dead Russian citizens at Stalingrad, or every other single tragic event that occurred that day across the planet.

Regardless, I say "Let the cross stay", as I find it to be harmless and if it comforts some people, then its existence is justified. If I read correctly, this wasn't "public tax dollars" at work, but the coincidence of physics of a demolished building.

[stuartcr]

Sorry, I must have mis-interpreted something somewhere.

[Bikers4Bush]

Only because we haven't done it all along.