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.

[Skooz]

On the top row, far right shelf in the "Get a Life" section.

[dead]

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."

I’m not religious, and it doesn’t offend me in the least.

[prairiebreeze]

It is Johnson and these ligitious athetists who are insulting. To the memories of the victims, their families and to God.

Prairie

[presidio9]

How many of the 343 firemen who died on September 11th 2001 were athiests? How many were Roman Catholics? Nuff said.

[stuartcr]

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

[meg70]

[AppyPappy]

That's like saying "If we have the American flag, we must also have all the flags".

[Skooz]

The cross was not erected. It was just there during the cleanup of ground zero.

[fortaydoos]

Because this was and is a CHRISTIAN nation. Deal with it or get out.

[stuartcr]

No it's not.

[NC Conservative]

The American Atheists, which was begun by renowned anti-Christian activist Madalyn Murray O'Hare before she died

I wonder if O'hare is an atheist now.

[TXnMA]

The obvious solution to this is to give the atheists their own symbol to display.

A hole encircled by sphincter muscle comes to mind...

[stuartcr]

Then why isn't everyone a Christian?

[dead]

Is a symbol representing the different religions of all those killed, planned to be erected also?

I’d imagine if there’s going to be one there’s going to be a bunch.

If not, why?

If any are excluded, I would guess it’s because the religious group chose not to participate.

I don’t think the atheists have a symbol. Besides, memorials to the dead are kind of incongruous to the atheist ethos.

[semaj]

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

No, because no legitimate symbol exists.

[fortaydoos]

Because we are a tolerant people and force no one to come to God.

[meg70]

Because the Muslim idol wasn't found standing upright at the bottom of the rubble of the World Trade Center? The firefighters who wept for 15 minutes after finding it knew it was a message

[BenLurkin]

I think it is beautiful.

[SAMWolf]

I wonder if O'hare is an atheist now.

No she's just dead and trying to convince God He doesn't exist.