Atheist Group Sues NYC, Bloomberg in Protest of WTC Memorial Cross

...i dont think religious symbology at the wtc memorial / museum is a constitutional issue - because - perceiving that cross as religious symbology is a personal choice... besides, more importantly, isnt it on privately owned property, not government owned property?...

reply to post by Lemon.Fresh


I'm an atheist, and normally I'm all for the taking down of religious symbols but even I have to admit that I don't see a cause to sue because of this cross. The reason I really don't see a reason to sue is simple, the cross is made out of girders that were found that way. It isn't like the cross was built by some religious group, it was found that way and thus, to my mind, can only be INTERPRETED as a religious symbol by those looking at it that way. To me its just some steel sticking out of the ground and the fact that some people see it as the symbol of their religion doesn't bother me. I'm not gonna ask math teachers to stop using plus signs if students want to imagine Jesus nailed to the middle of their math problems.

So I really don't agree with the atheist group's decision here. The only thing I could see them being upset about is that the cross might make it seem, to Muslims, like there's a holy war going on. Like we're saying the United States are Christians who were attacked by Muslims on 911. I could maybe see protesting this verbally or even in person but actually taking legal action seems like its a bit much. I don't see violation of church and state here either or at least the ground to claim one would be tenuous at best (it would be based on the government owning the land the cross is on, even then I'm not sure a lawsuit is in order).

What a bunch of hypocrites these athiests are.

reply to post by SaturnFX


Well i guess that is your silly little opinion.

How dare the dead be honored and respected with a worldwide well known grave marker How is this a viiolation of the seperation of church and state?

Idunno...I find the "cross" lame as hell. And possbily, a symbol of an unneeded sacrifice.

I'm an atheist, and this is ridiculous.

This behaviour is comparable to fundie christians.

Seriously, I think Atheists need to conduct a reality check. How exactly is this hurting them? I think it is rather odd though that I have never once seen or heard of an Atheist group protesting anything Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu. They always pick on Christians.

if religous people can kick up a fuss about things and protest and complain their beliefs are not being allowed or listened to then i see no problem with atheists doing it either. afterall there are some who argue atheism is a belief, just like anyother, therefore this belief must be considered to in these matters.

personally i would have no problem with a few crosses being put in or whatever if i had a say in it, but i do not, but obviously some people do have a problem with it because it is against their beliefs.

not that i think it is a belief personally, but others keep insisting it is and as such i will treat it like one and insist it has the same rights and is able to do the same as any other belief based community or entity. atheist church is next...... maybe.

Reply to post by lifeform11

firstchurchofatheism.com...

Too late. They also want chaplains in the military.

reply to post by Lemon.Fresh


lol, thanks for that, i had no idea.

reply to post by amaster


I'm certain that you never heard of how the Department of Veteran Affairs offers a emblem for atheists and other religions other than Cross-ianity
Are you suggesting that there are only crosses at the Arlington National cemetery?
Is it not evident that people of many beliefs are identified at the cemetery?

There is a significant difference between equality and advancing a religion, apparently not a lot of people care to think much about that but talk about it anyway.

reply to post by Lemon.Fresh


So if there isn't religion everywhere, it is supporting atheism?
Whether you like it or not, religion is limited in this country,
Example: you cannot kill someone because your religion tells you.
Thus far, some states allow the deaths of children through faith healing, some don't.

The atheist community does have an emblem that could be displayed among other religious symbols.