| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,941,721
|
Article: 21224
[Civil]
Date Posted:
10/7/2009
2:38:55 pm EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 2,590
RSS: 13,437
Comments: 4
|
High Court Weighs Legality Of Memorial Cross
Author: Nina Totenberg Source: NPR
Title: HIGH COURT WEIGHS LEGALITY OF MEMORIAL CROSS
A white cross erected on a rock outcropping on federal land in California's Mojave Desert is at the heart of a Supreme Court case about the government's display of religious symbols.
Critics say the cross violates the Constitution's ban on government establishment of religion. The case will be argued Wednesday.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars' Death Valley post first built the cross at Sunrise Rock in 1934 to honor Americans who died in combat in World War I. The most recent version of the cross was erected 11 years ago by a man named Henry Sandoz.
Neither the VFW nor Sandoz ever owned the land where the cross is located — nor did they have permission to build on the land.
But in 1999, a Buddhist asked the National Park Service for permission to erect a Buddhist shrine on federal land near the cross. The agency refused, setting in motion a series of events in the courts and Congress, culminating in Wednesday's Supreme Court hearing.
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 4 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Cross To Bear | Oct 8th. at 1:49:07 pm EDT
|
Silver Amythyst (Gonzales, California) - Email Me
This cross has been all over the the news alongside a similar situation closer to me in Monterey. Where a cross on the beach was vandailzed. We are in the mission belt and this cross can be argued as historic. I think that the cross in the Mojave Desert should be left alone for it is a war memorial. The cross has become more universal as a memorial for the dead. Maybe ercet a plaque that everyone can read stating that the cross is in remeberance of everyone that died in war, regardless of faith. It has been there for a long time, it should remain. It is harming no one.
As far as the Buddhist Temple rejection, well, do you really want to put one next to a war memorial. Seems controversial and offensive on both sides to me.
|
| Two Points | Oct 8th. at 8:32:06 am EDT
|
Dynnys Derwydd (Lubbock, Texas) - Email Me
1) While most see the cross as a "Christian" symbol, it actually predates Christianity as a Solar symbol. Fact, the Cross was not used as a Christian symbol until the 4th Century C.E.. Before then it has been used as a symbol of Ra, Helios (personification of the Sun) , and even the Persian Messianic figure Mithras. Personally, I laugh every time I see a cross on a church, just I do during Christmas/Yule and Easter.
2) While the 1st Amendment does guarantee religious freedom, it in no way guarantees freedom "from religion". While the cross commemorating WWI veterans is on federal land, no federal money was spent on its construction. Moneys for the cross were raised with private funds.
Gnothi Seauton
honi soit qui mal y pense,
Dynnys Derwydd
|
| ... | Oct 8th. at 5:55:59 am EDT
|
Draken (Bronx, New York) - Email Me - Web
A memorial wall in DC is good enough for Vietnam soldiers who died on duty. Why hasn't there been a similar one erected for WW1 soldiers? That would've been more appropriate.
And in defense of the people who want to use the xian cross as a memorial, they're not legally in control of their actions. That includes VFW members who want it up as well as Congressmen and Supreme Court Justices on account of a lack of mental culpability.
|
| ACLU Has A Point Here. | Oct 7th. at 4:13:30 pm EDT
|
TheStormofWar (Salt Lake City, Utah) - Email Me
They should win this one on the merits. All in all, I prefer a more secular momument for those who fought (and died) in the Great War.
I can sympathize with the VFW's POV, but I don't see this one standing.
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
