GaryP

Text of letter from American Atheists president,
Ellen Johnson;

LETTERS, FAXES, PHONE CALLS NEEDED TO STOP "RELIGIONIZED"
MEMORIAL TO 911 VICTIMS!

Plans are underway to include a "Miracle Debris Cross" as part of a
permanent monument to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attack on
the World Trade Center.

American Atheists is urging all nonbelievers and state-church
separationists to actively oppose such schemes. Public officials need
to hear from us now! Any religious monument not only violates the
Constitution, but insults and marginalizes millions of Americans who
have no religious faith. Public money must not be used to promote
religion in general, religious belief, or pay for memorials which
include sectarian symbols.

Find out how you can help! Visit the Action Alert at
<a href="http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-26-jun-2002.html" target="_blank">http://www.atheists.org/action/alert-26-jun-2002.html</a>

Perchance

Is the cross going to be included with a religious statement? That is, are we sure that the function of the cross is religious?

(May sound like a silly question, I know, but if the government claims that this is a non-religious promotion..."

-Perchance.

DarkBronzePlant

I'd be fine if the T-shaped debris was but a part of an entire memorial. Sure, it always disgusts me to be part of the same race as people who think that two pieces of metal from a fallen structure is some kind of communication from some sky-fairy... but if it somehow makes people feel better, and if the rest of the memorial is of secular nature, I wouldn't complain too much.

GaryP

If the cross is included, I would think that all religious symbols should be also.

Perhaps the Atheis symbol would be one of them.

Starspun

I personally have a problem with this cross business. Let's look at the logic.

1. God is righteous.
2. Religious fanatics crashed 2 planes into the wtc buildings killing thousands of people.
3. In the debris, 2 steel beams formed a cross(gee, what are the freggin odds). Thus, becoming a 'sign' of divinity.
4. Therefore, god's divine righteousness, as plainly seen by the cross, is the reason behind the whole act.

If I was a xtian, I would BEG to have that cross removed, but, then again, we are speaking logically.

[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: Starspun ]</p>

Abacus

If the families want it, I say let them have their steel I-beam cross. Sure, I may think it is kind of silly, but the memorial isn't for me. The memorial is really for them. I wouldn't presume to tell them how to memorialize their loved ones.

GaryP

Were only Christian families affected by the terrorists?

Abacus

No, of course not. But this isn't a courtroom or a public school. It's more like a cemetery. Especially in consideration that many remains were never identified or even found. To deny Christians, or Muslims, or atheists, or whoever a meaningful symbol in the memorial would be uncompassionate.

GaryP

So, put up symbols for all those folks. Every faith/un-faith you mentioned are normally buried in cemeteries.

RNG-- I think that AA should ask for inclusion rather than trying to deny the cross. IN general, one can make a good case when perceived as asking for equal access.

[ July 17, 2002: Message edited by: GaryP ]</p>

Abacus

Agreed. It seems that this couse of action would most likely lead to a win-win situation.