9/11 museum, atheists spar over cross

[LARED]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57494930/9-11-museum-atheists-spar-over-cross/

(CBS News) The National September 11 Memorial and Museum's planned presentation of the World Trade Center cross-shaped steel beam, which became a famous Ground Zero symbol right after the September 11 attacks, is being legally challenged by an atheist group.

Last year, American Atheists sued the museum for the cross' removal, arguing that the steel beam promoted religion
.........

When contacted by CBS News, the museum said it had no comments on Silverman's claims. As reported by other media outlets, the museum in its court filing characterized itself is an "independent non-profit corporation." It called the cross an "important and essential artifact" that "belongs at the World Trade Center site as it comprises a key component of the re-telling of the story of 9/11."

Michael Moreland, vice dean and professor of law at Villanova University School of Law in Pennsylvania, said there are two issues presented in this case. "If the court agrees with the Museum that it is a private non-profit organization," Moreland told CBS News, "then the museum will win because a private party can't violate the Establishment Clause - only the government can.


"But, second, displays of religious symbols by the government aren't always unconstitutional. In 2010, a majority of the Supreme Court indicated that a memorial cross on government land in the Mojave Desert was constitutionally permissible because a reasonable observer wouldn't conclude that the government was 'endorsing' Christianity by displaying the cross on public land. Given the historical significance of the 9/11 cross during the Ground Zero cleanup, I think the museum has a strong argument that the cross's historical significance outweighs any perceived government endorsement of religion."

Just wondering what think about this issue. I think Atheist need to learn how to pick their battles.

[Goblinmonger]

2. Any reason we need to rehash this?

Why not just kick the thread that rug posted last week?

[LARED]

5. I missed it last week, My bad for not checking. nt

[Goblinmonger]

6. Fair enough. cbayer linked to it below. n/t

[cbayer]

3. Thanks for the update. If you are interested there was some discussion of this previously

with mixed feelings, as one would expect.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/121840813

[Agnosticsherbet]

4. It is an historical item, and many people are comforted by it in a memorial...

But I am an agnostic, and have no axe to grind for either side.

Now, I welcome atheists protesting the Mt. Soledad cross in San Diego that has been used like a hockey puck for almost 2 decades by Republicans to get the religious right to bunch up their panties and vote. To me, it is clearly an issue of church and state as the Republicans have used it that way.