Has the "Middleboro Cross" been discussed here?

[Capt. Obvious]

I live a few towns over and the first time I saw it I was stunned. It's on a fricking traffic island on a state route.

It bothered me since the first time I drove by it. Now I drive by it at least twice a week.

I've been contemplating for years being that guy who got the ACLU involved.

So I finally googled it today, and some guy from Boston beat me to the punch in 2012. And it didn't go well.

The town is very angry at the interloper (and the 10 town residents who voted against giving the public land to the group that erected the cross) and is willing to waste money fighting to keep this cross up.

I've kept silent because I figured I would have my windows broken if I was that guy.

Google/Google News didn't give the current status of any potential lawsuit
https://www.google.com/#q=middleboro+cross
but plenty of articles about the cross were a) grossly misrepresenting the story, (e.g. the cross is meant to be all inclusive to all religions) and b) having local yahoos threatening atheists.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. It is never easy to be that one who stands for unpopular thought.

I don't think that I have it in me to do it knowing what I know from the past about how nasty it can get.

But thanks for the chuckle about the cross being all inclusive to all religions. I don't even know how anyone could come up with that one and be serious.

[Capt. Obvious]

2. Jaw dropped reading the articles

Despite the warnings, Selectmen Chairman Stephen J. McKinnon said a lawsuit over the cross has yet to surface.

Calling the cross an historic monument, McKinnon said the town needs to protect it.

“I want to preserve it,” he said. “I just wish the ACLU would focus on more important issued, like illegal aliens, and fight a good fight.”

Taunton Gazette

The cross, 12 feet high by 7 feet wide, includes the Kiwanis emblem at its base. A plaque on a picket fence surrounding it, now gone, dedicated the monument to Schlater, who had been ailing and died by the time the dedication ceremony was held.

“It was meant to encompass all faiths,” said Jane Lopes, chairwoman of the town’s Historical Commission. “The dedication was non-denominational, and it was hoped people of all faiths would take this in the spirit in which it was intended.”

Boston Globe

This comment is not from the 1950's, but from last year.

“DOT said the man intends to come to Middleborough and make a ruckus,” said Kiwanis Club president Robert Kinney.

Kinney said he was surprised when state officials first contacted him about the cross. “Figure about 2,000 cars pass every day for more than 50 years, and I’ve never been told by anyone they take exception to it,” he said. “Then one Boston attorney took umbrage.”

Boston Globe

I've taken umbrage for years but have held my tongue because of assholes like this.

“MassDOT has determined one of the arms of the cross overhangs MassDot’s right of way by approximately 6 inches,” she said in an e-mail. “The base and the majority of the cross are on Middleborough town property.”

Boston Globe

As if public town property isn't covered by church and state separation.

Wunsch warned Middleborough officials would be “wasting taxpayer money” if they fight any legal action the complainant might pursue, adding, “It would be reckless and bad leadership on the part of town officials.”

She cited a debate some years ago over a crèche placed in front of a Norwood elementary school for 75 years. “They tried to say it was historical, but some traditions are illegal,” she said. The practice was stopped.

At least one Middleborough resident agrees with the complaint. Jeffrey Stevens, who several years ago complained to selectmen over a life-size crèche placed on the Town Hall lawn, said this situation is similar.

“Whether it’s a state-owned piece of land or town-owned piece of land, it’s public land, and this would never stand up to a legal test,” Stevens said. “The issue is one of separation of church and state. I don’t see why it’s on public property. It should have never been put there.”

Boston Globe

Jeff Stevens lobbied town meeting to stay out of the fray, fearing the town will become embroiled in a lawsuit threatened by the American Civil Liberties Union.

“This is not a Middleboro problem,” Stevens said. “It will open up our town to legal challenges.”

Stevens said the issue is being closely watched at the national level and said, “Government should not be involved in this.”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever heard town meeting actually threatened before,” said former selectman Lincoln D. Andrews. “If all the problems Jeff Stevens predicted rain down on Middleboro, at that time we can take a wrecking ball to it.”

Enterprise News

[Curmudgeoness]

3. This is exactly what happens.

You are right to keep your mouth shut for your own safety....isn't that incredible that I should have to say that about god-fearing religious people??? It doesn't help our situation to be quiet, since that is what they use all the time: Never been told by anyone that they are offended. I have gotten more vocal as I have gotten older. But I don't have it in me to go up against the world. I admire people who will fight for separation. I just try to work on an individual basis with one person at a time, trying to get them to see what is fair to all.

[TxDemChem]

4. Geez! That's quite some insanity.

I was going to recommend FFRF maybe look in on it, but I don't know if it would be worth the harassment a complainant would get.

[onager]

5. Historical? Meant to encompass all faiths?

O-o-o-o-kay, let's take those statements at face value.

When I lived in Egypt, one of my favorite sightseeing places in Cairo was Quitbay Mosque, built in 1472. Or about 20 years before some Caribbean people discovered a clueless Italian sailor on their beach.

That mosque was a latecomer compared to the Attarine Mosque in Alexandria, originally built as a Xian church and converted to a mosque in the 7th century CE, only a couple of decades after Islam was invented. The Mosque of Amr in Cairo is even older.

Now imagine some rich Muslims had one of those ancient mosques disassembled and moved to the USA. Where they rebuilt it complete with minaret, where the muzzein would yell prayers 5 times a day.

Do you think for one second that anyone would give a crap about its "historical value" or buy the excuse that it was "meant to encompass all faiths?"

If you believe that, I'll sell you one of those mosques. Right now. No credit cards, please, cash only.

[LostOne4Ever]

6. These idiots need to learn

That non-denominational does not equal inclusive of all faiths. Non-denominational, as used here, clearly means it is exclusively Christian.

Further, even if it did mean that, that is still exclusionary of us.

Its freaking double speak and a wink to each other because they are perfectly aware of all that.

[sakabatou]

7. Never heard of it

Is it a local thing?

[AtheistCrusader]

8. Do you have a chain and a truck?

You know.

For purposes. And stuff.

[AlbertCat]

9. Meant to encompass all faiths

So they wouldn't have a problem with "all faiths" putting up their symbols on the property as well.... right?

Has that Satan statue been cast yet? Can they cast another?