Posted on 09/10/2003 7:26:35 AM PDT by 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.
Of course, then again, there are those of us who feel that that "velocity of physics" in and of itself is a result of the Hand of God at work. He uses science just as much (if not more) as He uses people to achieve what His infinite Wisdom desires.
Thanks & right back at you.
Well, since you ask, and you do use the word "anything" in your interrogatory:
Cordially,
Well stated. All science is an invention of God. Biology, physics, mathmatics...just building blocks themselves built by the hand of the Creator.
How about some lewd artwork while we are at it? I remember hearing about an exhibition of penises... I know it isn't a religious symbol, but we can make it one, right?
This country was founded on Christianity, but with a tolerance for other faiths. Separation of church and state protects this.
My point is that the majority in this country is getting bullied by a small minoirty. Before long, if our court system continues to fail us, we will have homosexual marriage, the name of God removed from all public records, currency, buildings, and the writings of our founding fathers.
We have given a forum to those who are offended by the Ten Commandments, The Holy Bible, the Cross, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the sanctity of marriage. Yet, when a large number of people get upset that their children are being exposed to subjects they are too young and unprepared to handle, they are told to deal with it, that it is a free speech matter. The NEA knows how to raise your child better than you do. When does this stop?
Separation of Church and State will be one of the reasons given for these actions, as well as the need to not offend those of other faiths. How quickly we forget that this was designed to PROTECT churches FROM the government, and not the other way around.
I firmly believe the only thing that can save our country from itself is some kind of revolution. It will be started by people who eventually stand up and say "We have had enough." I do not believe this will be a violent or military movement, but rather something similar to the peace marches of the civil rights era. It will be a movement made to take back the courts, elimate the ridiculous philosophy of political correctness, and restore our constitution.
Just what's on my mind this morning...
The transcript of proceedings before the Supreme Court are not 'official?'
Then you must not have been out much after 9/11. The cross was on the cover of either News Week or Time, or both, (can't remember), but it was at least one of these. It was shown in many articles in the weeks/months following 9/11.
While some people may have felt abandoned by God 9/11 -especially, as you say, the families of the victims- Millions of people turned to God in the hours after it- they went to Church-they Prayed. What about the resurrection of the term God Bless America?
It is nice of you to "allow" the cross to stay at the WTC site though- Thank you so much.
This declaration needs balance:
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