Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
Do you remember that T-joint steel girder that a rescue worker found where he'd unearthed three dead bodies from the wreckage of the World Trade Center tower? It was a remnant in the shape of a cross. The rescue worker said its discovery moved him to tears. I think Americans of any faith could recognize the power of that moment and the significance of this find for Christians who were part of the rescue effort at Ground Zero.
It is completely unsurprising that it would be part of a display at the September 11 Memorial dealing with religious artifacts from the rescue effort. But a group of American Atheists had the brilliant idea of suing for its removal. Let them explain:
The WTC cross has become a Christian icon," American Atheists president Dave Silverman said in a Monday press release announcing the lawsuit.
Mincing no words, Silverman, who is not a named plaintiff, added: "It [the cross] has been blessed by so-called holy men and presented as a reminder that their god, who couldn't be bothered to stop the Muslim terrorists or prevent 3,000 people from being killed in his name, cared only enough to bestow upon us some rubble that resembles a cross. It's a truly ridiculous assertion."
Sometimes I just want to help atheists with their PR strategy.
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Feb '11
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
I am a life long atheist, but have nothing but disgust for the antics of organizations like American Atheists and individual militants of their ilk. What other people believe is of no concern as long as I am not forced to agree with them. Other people expressing their deeply held beliefs in no way demeans or devalues mine. It injures me in no way. I don't believe in evangelism whether it be be religious or atheistic, but neither this instance nor most of the other causes atheists hyperventilate over constitute the slightest threat to their belief system. The desperate need that some people have for others to conform to their own beliefs utterly baffles me. They need to get over it.
Edited on Jul 29, 2011 at 8:56amRe: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
jrb,
Though Lutheran, I'm a strict separationist myself -- the type that can get some people angry by my insistence that government not endorse or support or prefer religious belief or particular religious beliefs. And lawsuits like this strike me as ridiculous and unhelpful. The beam came from the wreckage site. I'm not even upset that those items that didn't come organically from the wreckage site -- such as a Jewish prayer shawl -- will be included. It's a memorial with an exhibition. To not mention the role religion played in the clean-up would only be lying.
Jun '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
"I think Americans of any faith could recognize the power of that moment and the significance of this find for Christians who were part of the rescue effort at Ground Zero."
I would bet my life's savings that +90% of those involved in the rescue effort were Christians. It's undeniable demographics. (Irish Catholics in the majority.) For many of them, finding the cross gave them the strength to go on, reminding them that life is sacred and God expects us to confront evil.
Great post, jrb.
Jun '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
Re: God allowing unjust suffering.
I trust that whenever God allows evil people to cause tremendous suffering, it somehow starts a chain of events that prevents even greater suffering later. You either trust God to know what he's doing, or you don't. He doesn't offer us no suffering. He offers us love and comfort in our suffering.
Jun '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
[duplicate comment]
Edited on Jul 28, 2011 at 7:35amMay '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
Winning Friends, Influencing People, as our good friend and frequent linker Allahpundit is wont to say (himself an atheist). I especially enjoy how they claimed to be made physically ill at the sight of the cross. Sort of like how some Harvard faculty were physically ill and had to head for the bathroom during Larry Summers' panel discussion (strong women indeed!).
I'm not a strict separationist, even though not deeply observant. If a politician goes to a prayer breakfast, the President says "God bless the United States of America", a courthouse (Supreme Court, ahem) has a relief of the Ten Commandments, or someone decides to put a Nativity scene in front of City Hall, let em says I.
The only people offended are going to make themselves look silly and intolerant, like Kyle's mom from South Park.
Jun '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
That was really weird. When submitting a comment (with Chrome) I got a message in response that the webpage does not exist, or no longer exists. Thus the multiple posts. Sorry
Jun '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
This is so ironic! I'm actually in the process of suing our city hall for having "nothing" out in front of it. "Nothing" is the age old atheist mascot/symbol and I just can't have city hall showing such preferential treatment to non-believers with all of the "nothing" all over the lawn.
Nov '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
My father was a devout atheist. He was also a rational thinker and an empathetic human being. He clearly understood and appreciated the significance of the Judeo-Christian tradition and its (mostly positive) influence on Western civilization as well as the importance of the spiritual in most people's lives. How very different from these haters!
The upside is that the more frequently the American Atheists spokescritter opens his mouth, the more petty and absurd he sounds.
Jun '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
I'm a believer, but one of my heroes is Theodore Dalrymple (atheist or agnostic). Here he responds to the Sam Harris/Richard Dawkins view of the world:
“The thinness of the new atheism is evident in its approach to our civilization, which until recently was religious to its core. To regret religion is, in fact, to regret our civilization and its monuments, its achievements, and its legacy. And in my own view, the absence of religious faith, provided that such faith is not murderously intolerant, can have a deleterious effect upon human character and personality. If you empty the world of purpose, make it one of brute fact alone, you empty it (for many people, at any rate) of reasons for gratitude, and a sense of gratitude is necessary for both happiness and decency. For what can soon, and all too easily, replace gratitude is a sense of entitlement. Without gratitude, it is hard to appreciate, or be satisfied with, what you have: and life will become an existential shopping spree that no product satisfies.” City Journal, Autumn 2007
Pretty sensible observation.
May '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
Wonder what would happen if it had been a Magen David or a Green Crescent.
American Atheists - Bugger off and go protest at the Cordoba centre, and do something useful. Or protest at those who see the Lord Jesus in a toasted sandwich. Feel free to visit the Communist prison camps to see how vicious atheism can be, and reflect on human tragedy in a real way.
Leave the profounder stuff to those of us who value things more carefully.
Edited on Jul 28, 2011 at 10:42amMar '11
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
Sometimes I just want to help atheists with their PR strategy. ·
Please do!
And soon! We need it :(.
May '10
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
The American Atheists were the ones responsible for the billboards in I believe it was Alabama that claimed religion was a sham. They're the not-so-tactful atheists within the realm of non-belief.
Apr '11
Re: Atheists Sue To Remove WTC Remnant In Shape Of Cross
I am an atheist.
I loathe these people.
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