Posted on 07/29/2011 3:26:02 PM PDT by NYer
ALBANY, N.Y., July 28, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) When two steel girders were found intact, in the shape of a cross, in the middle of the wreckage of the World Trade Center after 9/11, it was hailed by many as a mini miracle and a sign of hope for a country beleaguered by a devastating terrorist attack.
Now, however, an atheist group has filed a lawsuit that seeks to tear down that cross, which was moved recently to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.
American Atheists filed its lawsuit, American Atheists v. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in New York state court Monday.
“What we’re looking for is a remedy that honours everyone equally, with a religion-neutral display, or display of equal size and prominence,” said Dave Silverman, the groups head.
According to the lawsuit, American Atheists members are being subjected to and injured in consequence of having a religious tradition not their own imposed upon them through the power of the state.”
Officials at the 9/11 memorial museum, however, have defended the cross, saying that the mission of the museum is simply to tell the history of 9/11 through historic artefacts like the World Trade Center cross.
This steel remnant became a symbol of spiritual comfort for the thousands of recovery workers who toiled at ground zero, as well as for people around the world,” museum president Joe Daniels said in a statement.
The lawsuit is also being opposed by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a Christian public-interest law firm.
One atheist groups agenda shouldnt diminish the sacrifice made by the heroes of 9/11, said ADF Senior Counsel Byron Babione, who argued that the cross simply does not amount to a government establishment of religion.
“The cross is not only known far and wide as a religious symbol, but also as a symbol of death, remembrance, and honor for the dead. Americans have long recognized this. Nothing in the Constitution authorizes atheists to scour the landscape on a mission to seek and destroy memorial crosses.
In 2005, American Atheists had also filed suit in federal court to tear down roadside crosses honoring fallen Utah highway patrol officers. ADF, which represents the Utah Highway Patrol Association, has appealed that case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In April 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that a veterans memorial in the form of a cross in the Mojave Desert of California did not have to be removed. In that ruling, the court wrote, The goal of avoiding governmental endorsement does not require eradication of all religious symbols in the public realm . The Constitution does not oblige government to avoid any public acknowledgment of religions role in society.
Crosses have been used to honor fallen heroes in this country since its founding, said ADF Senior Counsel Tom Marcelle, based in Albany. ADF stands ready to defend the World Trade Center Cross in any way that it can, just as we have defended many other cross memorials throughout the country.
Jerks. Don’t be those guys.
What!!! Atheists object to the cross that was lowered into the ground and is not visible to passersby but have no complaints about the erection of a mosque!?!
It’s beautiful.
I don’t think it’s our problem that they don’t have any faith. They should take their goatsmellin’ asses to North Korea or Havana where they don’t have to worry about God. As for us, this is America. We have the First Amendment here. Most of us don’t want a bunch of arrogant bastards trampling on it. AMEN!
Dave would probably be happy with a big dog turd or lump of coal. Anything else constitutes religion to people like this. /sarc.. just a little
Hit the pike, losers. I guarantee that those that actually died would not be offended.
Go preach this stuff in some Muslim community. I dare you.
...they don’t fear Christians.
In order to ensure to citizens freedom of conscience, the church in the U.S.S.R. is separated from the state, and the school from the church. Freedom of religious worship and freedom of antireligious propaganda is recognized for all citizens.
I cannot say what I want to about these morons or I would be banned.
Will these despicable a-holes believe when they wind up in Hell? Whoopsie! Too late then...what a bunch of douchebags...
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