The American Legion and a Maryland planning commission are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to protect a cross-shaped World War I memorial, after the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the monument violates the Constitution.
Supporters of the petition say the 4th Circuit’s decision compromises war memorials across the country, including those at Arlington National Cemetery. Should the high court take the case, it would likely mark the new conservative majority’s first foray into the culture wars.
The American Legion erected a 40-foot tall memorial called the “Peace Cross” in Bladensburg, Maryland, in 1925. A plaque at the base of the monument lists the 49 war dead of Prince George’s County and a quotation from President Woodrow Wilson. The crux of the cross is emblazoned with the seal of the Legion, and the words “valor, endurance, courage, and devotion” appear on each face.
In the years following its installation, other memorials to county veterans were raised in the Peace Cross’s vicinity. That collection of statuary has since been designated Veterans Memorial Park.
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3 comments:
Leave history alone.
There is nothing in the Constitution regarding the separation of church and state, only "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
To get the obvious out of the way, and it always seems to need to be in conversations on this topic...
America is, and always has been, a Secular Republic, that guarantees religious freedom for all people and all religions... none get special favor.
Christians have enjoyed a majority population in The United States, but this does not make America a "Christian Nation" any more than since we are mostly meat eaters that we are a "Meat Eater Nation". We are not, a Christian Nation... we are a secular republic that protects all religions, and gives preference to none.
Your religious liberty is YOUR religious liberty. You get to practice your religion as you see fit. Religious liberty DOES NOT MEAN you get to force feed your religion upon everyone else via tyrannical majority rule or legislation.
The age of something, or how long it has been in violation of the law has zero bearing over the fact that it is in violation of the law.
Ok, that out of the way, there is no mistaking that this is a Christian symbol, certainly NOT the best choice for a memorial honoring the military members who have given their all, made up of all religions not just Christian. When literally ANY OTHER kind of iconography or verbage could be used... choosing a Christian symbol is certainly preferential, and I think it is OBVIOUS that it is in violation of the establishment clause.
Lastly, can someone explain to me WHY this sort of iconography is what has to be used? Why this and not, say, and American Eagle? Or, a memorial marker that similar to a grave marker? Why is it that is HAS to be this Christian symbol? Why do you feel that this is the best choice?
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