Supreme Court Weighs Fate of 40-Foot Cross Built as War Memorial

[left-of-center2012]

A 40-foot cross ... is the U.S. Supreme Court’s new focus in the centuries-old fight over the role of religion in public life. The concrete cross, completed in 1925 as a World War I memorial, will be at the center of a high court argument set for Wednesday.

Supporters of the monument in Bladensburg, Maryland, say the Constitution generally allows religious displays, while opponents say the government can’t show favoritism toward particular faiths. A federal appeals court said the cross “endorses Christianity -- not only above other faiths, but also to their exclusion.” The ruling, if it stands, could force removal of the monument.

The American Legion and an area park commission are appealing.
President Donald Trump’s administration is supporting them in a move that could help the president build enthusiasm among his evangelical base as the 2020 election approaches.

The monument, known as the Peace Cross, was erected to honor 49 local men who died in World War I. The American Legion completed the project in 1925 and owned it for several decades before the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission took over ownership in 1961.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-26/supreme-court-weighs-fate-of-40-foot-cross-built-as-war-memorial?srnd=politics-vp



American Legion members supporting the Cross

[mr_liberal]

1. "...the role of religion in public life."

They should say "...the role of religion in government."

Saying "public" or "public square" etc... just confuses people. It makes people think liberals, atheists... are trying to keep religious displays from being put anywhere outside. People dont understand the difference between government and private and that private areas (homes, businesses, churches, private cemeteries....) make up 90% of the country.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

2. We need to stop saying this is OK.

I have no hope that the current SCOTUS will say that.

Just sell that property to a private citizen and then they can keep the cross up if it meets local code.

[rusty fender]

4. This is the solution

[Panich52]

3. Past rulings indicate they'll allow the cross to stay.

Challenges to "under God" in Pledge and other memorial crosses we're allowed just because they've been allowed to stand unchallenged for so long—"tradition"—and those rulings we're from a slightly more balanced court.

I agree with 1st reply (sorry I can't remember who) that many confuse "public" and "govt," but religionists, like the hypocrites who support Trump, aren't among the confused. They think Christianity IS the official religion of the USA. And Alito and Thomas tend to rule that way (as did Scalia). I have no hope that Gorsuch and Kavanaugh will remember the Establishment Clause for this, any more than they did is the last 2 recent rrligion-based cases.

[RobinA]

5. I Have To Say

I'm about as non-theist, separation-cheering as they come, but it's a hundred years old. Leave it alone and fight today's battles. This kind of thing just makes us look extremist.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Not a fan of the American Legion, but not willing to die on this hill...