How can it be argued that a war memorial in the shape of a cross "establishes" religion? No one is forced to worship it, or bow to it, or declare for it in any way. Yes, those who pass by can see it, and evidently some find that prospect offensive, and want the cross destroyed. The judges, we guess, believe that we all can sleep a bit more safely, knowing that such a symbol is to be removed. So perhaps will fade away another one of the symbols on which our nation was constructed. It may not be so very long before they all have passed away.
BY JOHN SHAFFER A 3-judge panel from the US 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has determined that a memorial in Bladensburg, Maryland,dedicated to 49 US soldiers from Prince George’s County Maryland who lost their lives in the First World War (you may remember, that’s the one we fought to “make the world safe for democracy”) should be removed because it violates the “establishment” clause of the US Constitution. That’s in the First Amendment, and states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. What the Founders meant was that America should not have a State Religion. In the past 70 years or so, that clause has been interpreted as forbidding governments from essentially any mention or invocation of religion. Well, reasonable people can disagree over the correct interpretation of the law and the Constitution, but you may wonder what is so offensive about said World War I monument? The monument, it happens, is in the shape of a cross, and not just any cross, but a "Latin Cross," which the Judges’ opinion states “is the core symbol of Christianity.” A Reasonable people might disagree with that, as well, but no matter – the point is clear: the Progressive Left seeks to eliminate all positive references to religion (and not just Christianity) on public property. It may be noteworthy that back in 2015, the US District Court ruled that the very same cross was constitutional because, though in the shape of a cross, its purpose was not primarily religious. And, of course, that is true, for its purpose was to honor those 49 soldiers.
How can it be argued that a war memorial in the shape of a cross "establishes" religion? No one is forced to worship it, or bow to it, or declare for it in any way. Yes, those who pass by can see it, and evidently some find that prospect offensive, and want the cross destroyed. The judges, we guess, believe that we all can sleep a bit more safely, knowing that such a symbol is to be removed. So perhaps will fade away another one of the symbols on which our nation was constructed. It may not be so very long before they all have passed away. Comments are closed.
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