On July 28, the Second Circuit Court
of Appeals ruled that the 17-foot cross beam salvaged from the wreckage of the
New York City Twin Towers will remain in the National 9/11 Museum, despite the efforts
of American Atheists Inc.
In American Atheists v. Port Authority of New Jersey and New York the atheists
asserted that the artifact’s positioning in the museum towered “over any other
symbols in the vicinity, expressing Christian primacy.” It charged that the Latin cross’ dominance
violated the 1st Amendment ‘Establishment Clause’ and the 14th Amendment ‘Equal
Protection Clause’ of the U.S. Constitution.
The judges found, however, that the
‘Ground Zero Cross’ is a constitutional and an important symbolic artifact from
the terrorist attack. According to the
ruling:
“The stated purpose of displaying The Cross at Ground Zero
to tell the story of how some people used faith to cope with the tragedy is
genuine, and an objective observer would understand the purpose of the display
to be secular ... there is no evidence that the static display of this genuine
historic artifact excessively entangles the government with religion.”
This common sense ruling still comes
as a major legal victory. Eric Baxter,
Counsel for the Beckett Fund, noted
that the court made a very key distinction:
“Even though the Ground Zero Cross is unquestionably a
religious symbol, and holds deep religious meaning for many people—particularly
those who found hope and inspiration in its discovery—the government does not
violate the ‘Establishment Clause’ by recognizing and educating others about
the actual role played by religion in our history and culture.”
This historic relic will now continue
to show the importance of religion in the United States for years to come.
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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