Camp Pendleton didn't see cross flap coming

North County Times ^ | Nov 20, 2011 | Mark Walker

[radar101]

Scott Radetski, Karen Mendoza, Jon Gross and Shannon Book work to carry a 13-foot cross to the top of a mountain at Camp Pendleton on Nov. 10 to recognize those Marines who have fallen or been wounded in combat. The original cross was carried up by seven people, and three of those original seven were killed in combat in Iraq. Radetski was a chaplain during the battle for Fallujah, Mendoza's husband was killed in combat, and Gross and Book also served in Iraq during the battle for Fallujah. (RICK LOOMIS / Los Angeles Times )

A memorial cross atop a Camp Pendleton hillside installed by former Marines and widows of troops killed in Iraq is prompting a fight that base officials say they didn't see coming and are scrambling to resolve. The cross, erected Nov. 11 in the Camp Horno area in the northern portion of the 125,000-acre base, has raised the ire of a military atheist group, whose leader says it's an unconstitutional tacit endorsement of Christianity

[optiguy]

Military atheist group? No such thing in combat.

[Sequoyah101]

has raised the ire of a military atheist group, whose leader says it’s an unconstitutional tacit endorsement of Christianity

Give him equal representation... nail him to it.

[Sequoyah101]

former U.S. Army Capt. Jason Torpy, who heads a group called the Military Association of Atheists and Free Thinkers

[mountainlion]

Atheism is a religion so why do they think they have superior rights?

[gaijin]

The guy who always screams until nice stuff like this stops is a Jewish lawyer from —you won’t believe this— the REAGAN administration. I’m serious.

He’s the same guy who made the huge flap about how some Trijicon optical rifle sites had tiny Biblical enscriptions, requiring their recall.

He’s always pulling this.

[ConorMacNessa]

Another cadre of whiners. They're as bad as the Moslems and homos. They all have an agenda to crush any free expression that is at variance with their own perverted dogma. Why should the behavior of the multitudes who hold conventional beliefs be held hostage by a few heterodox zealots?

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[maine-iac7]

Camp Pendleton - you damn well better not back down.

[lonevoice]

Atheism is a religion so why do they think they have superior rights?

A most excellent question. Hat tip.

[radar101]

They give the G—D—M Muslims prayer rooms, foot baths, and time to point their ass away from Mecca—Why not a simple wooden cross Memorial?
GOD BLESS those vets and widows!

[reg45]

a group called the Military Association of Atheists and Free Thinkers

Transfer them all to Afghanistan. Then let them try to convince the locals that "Allah" is a figment of their imagination.

[NonValueAdded]

Atheism is a religion so why do they think they have superior rights?

That's really what it comes down to. When Atheism is recognized as being at the extreme end of a "belief in God(s)" spectrum (iow, that there is none), the Establishment clause kicks in. A purge of all things God from the public space would be establishing Atheism as the State Religion.

[pacpam]

To remove the cross is unconstitutional tacit endorsement of atheism. There - a standoff, the cross stays.

[pfflier]

Good point. Athieism is the religion of no religion. They espouse their beliefs by preaching and spreading their word. They even have their own symbols to signify athieism.

[goat granny]

I never could figure out why a true atheist would care about others religions. They seem to be the only ones along with muslims that get their pantys in a wad over a cross...If they are true free thinkers as the name implies they must only want free thinking for themselves. Others aren't allowed to differ from them. It makes no sense. They must be unsure of themselves and their atheism or they wouldn't be afraid of a cross. Someone that doesn't believe in any god sure look silly fighting something they do not believe exist..

[musicman]

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[tbpiper]

tacit endorsement of Christianity

Best thing that could happen to the whole country.

[ken21]

bump.

[RedMDer]

Freepers! Happy Thanksgiving! Let's get this done before that! Come on! Day 51 of the Freepathon and only 41 days until the start of the next. What will you do and where will you post if it goes? All contributions are for the Current Quarter Expenses. Click here or mail checks to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Freepers! Happy Thanksgiving! Let's get this done before that! Come on! Day 51 of the Freepathon and only 41 days until the start of the next. What will you do and where will you post if it goes? All contributions are for the Current Quarter Expenses. Click here or mail checks to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

[SuperLuminal]

Bag’em and tag’em. This destruction of the Corps has got to be stopped and the rebuilding begun.