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September 11, 2012

9/11 Memorial Controversy Revives Debate Over Neutering Public Crosses

Are memorial crosses worth preserving if they are neutered of their religious significance?

Melissa Steffan

A 17-foot, cross-shaped beam became a famous Ground Zero symbol in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Now it is facing legal challenges to its intended public display at the still-unopened, billion-dollar National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

The controversy reflects debate over whether memorial crosses are worth preserving if they have to be neutered of their religious significance in order to remain in the public square.

Last year, American Atheists sued the museum to stop the display of the cross, arguing that the cross is a Christian symbol which dishonors 9/11 victims who were not Christian. In August 2012, the museum asked for the lawsuit to be thrown out.

The museum claims that the cross is an “important and essential artifact” that “comprises a key component of the retelling of the story of 9/11.”

CT has previously covered the Supreme Court's tangled view of public crosses, as well as examined whether or not memorial crosses should be viewed as secular.

posted by Jeremy Weber | Comments (2)

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If you want a taste of how intolerant and disrespectful some atheists can be on this issue take time to read their comments on the CNN belief blog. The New Atheists are the new bullies in town.

Posted By: Basil | September 12, 2012 8:47 AM

The cross under attack from so-called atheists. Why only a Christian symbol if they're atheists? In 2004 the American Civil “liberties” Union took legal action against a very small cross on the seal of the county of Los Angeles, California yet, made no comment of an alleged Roman godess who was displayed in much larger format. If their intent was to protect atheist principles shouldn't they have objected to that.
In resolution the seal was redisigned with a sailing ship to replace the cross and a First Nations woman to replace the alleged godess, on the initiative of the political administrators.
So, why such a focus on the cross?
The mere presence of the Cross is commonly believed by many to provide some measure of protection against demonic power, whether accompanied by faith or not. I’m not saying that I agree just that such a belief exists and, that I have personally encountered it.
Could it be that someone, or some thing, is behind all these desires to remove (or at least limit for now, with an eye to eventually removing) any such beneficial effect?
If so, are they promoting atheism or - are they trying to clear a path for some sort of darker spirit?

Posted By: Peter Wolczuk | October 13, 2012 5:51 PM

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