Cross Is Central Symbol Of Christianity And Must Not Be Secularized By Government, Americans United

[babsbunny]

http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=9989

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

AU, Allies Say Officials' Use Of 'Secular' Crosses To Memorialize Utah Highway Patrol Officers Is Offensive And Violates Church-State Separation

The cross is a Christian symbol and government should not try to use it as a secular memorial marker, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has told a federal appeals court.

In a friend-of-the-court brief filed today, Americans United and allied religious leaders and organizations take issue with a federal court decision allowing Utah officials to place crosses along highways to memorialize state highway patrol officers who have died in the line of duty.

State officials insisted that the Christian symbol is a secular symbol and can be used regardless of the personal religious beliefs of the officer being honored.

U.S. District Judge David Sam ruled in November of 2007 that the cross is a “secular symbol of death” and held that Utah officials and the Utah Highway Patrol Association can continue to erect the 12-foot crosses.

Americans United is asking the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the lower court ruling.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I would think maybe a dove would make a better symbol? Or maybe a heart?

[RC]

4. How about a Star of David? Same reasoning.

[Indenturedebtor]

2. I'd turn into a zombie and eat anyone who put a cross on my grave

Secular symbol my ass! Although to many indigenous peoples it certainly signifies death. This sort of crap makes me livid :grr:

[ZombieHorde]

5. turn into a zombie

Easily one of the best plans of action I have ever seen on DU.

Secular symbol my ass!

Yes, unlike your ass, the cross is not a secular symbol.

I hope that they choose another way to honor the fallen.

[Indenturedebtor]

13. So the "Indenturedebtor's ass" as a symbol of freedom is not just in tucson anymore? :D n/t

[Zhade]

3. It is clearly a religious symbol, and it is clearly ILLEGAL to do this.

Those troopers were paid with tax money. This is a violation of the separation of church and state!

[Joanne98]

6. What about Rev Moon. He told everybody to take them down.

[kestrel91316]

7. "......secular symbol of death......" Oh, dear.

kestrel wanders off, scratching her head and muttering to herself..........

[JerseygirlCT]

18. Good point

not a symbol of death for Christians, either...

This is just offensive every which way you look at it.

[Rage for Order]

8. I'd say if the officer was Christian, fine

If he was Jewish, use a Star of David, etc. Refer to the US military cemetery in Normandy for an example.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

9. Since this was Utah, shouldn't they use a golden plate or something?

I don't believe LDS churches have crosses on them, at least not the ones I've seen.

[Rage for Order]

10. They should use whatever symbol the officer would have wanted

Consult with his or her next of kin. It shouldn't be very hard to determine a fitting tribute

[anonymous171]

11. They've been at this for a while haven't they?

Waste of time, imo

[Solly Mack]

12. uh...uh...

the cross is a “secular symbol of death” ?????

It is? Since when?

[Dogtown]

14. Why not an emblem of the badge

marked w/ a black band, like the mourning-band police officers mark their actual badges with when an officer has fallen?

The crucifix *IS* a religious symbol and should not be used in this manner by a government agency.

[NashVegas]

15. The Cross Pre-dates Christ By About 2k Years

At least.

The problem is whether the crosses will only be used for officers.

[rucky]

16. A "secular symbol"

won't that piss off the fundies, too?

[JerseygirlCT]

17. The cross is now a secular symbol? What the heck?

That judge has spent too much time living in a restricted area, I assume.

And honestly, turning the cross into a secular symbol is sort of offensive from a relgious point of view as well.

This is just nuts.