Atheists group sue to remove memorials to fallen troopers

[mad1]

Quote:

If a national atheist organization has its way, a series of 12-foot-tall memorial crosses that adorn Utah's highways will be taken down.

But not if the families of the people those crosses honor — state Highway Patrol troopers killed in the line of duty — have anything to say about it.

American Atheists Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the 13 white, steel crosses represent the death of Jesus Christ and therefore violate the First Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits government establishment of religion.

But the families of the fallen heroes say otherwise. They say the crosses, which bear the names and badge numbers of the troopers, were built strictly as memorials.

"We're being attacked personally for something we did to help us heal," said Clint Pierson, whose father, Trooper Ray Lynn Pierson, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 1978.

"We put the crosses up as a memorial to the fallen officers."

The Utah Highway Patrol Association defends the crosses, which have the Highway Patrol logo on them and have been erected on government land. It says they are secular symbols that both honor the troopers and remind speeding drivers to slow down.

The Utah Highway Patrol Association, a private organization, designed and constructed the memorials with private funding in 1998. Private citizens can memorialize troopers who died in the line of duty, under Utah state law, Babione said.

"There's nothing unconstitutional here because the memorials cost taxpayers nothing," he said.

But Brian Barnard, a lawyer representing American Atheists, said the memorial is a Roman cross, which symbolizes Christianity.

"The use of those crosses constitutes and endorses Christianity," Barnard said. "Although it's an acknowledgement of the death of these troopers, it is also an endorsement of Christianity."

Barnard said the highway association downplays the significance of the cross, claiming it is a secular symbol.

"There's no question at all that these highway patrol troopers should be honored," Barnard said. "We should all pause and thank them. But that can be done in a way that does not emphasize religion."

The group is seeking the removal of the crosses and one dollar in monetary damages.

U.S. District Judge David Sam recently heard arguments in the case and will rule soon on the legality of the crosses.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311956,00.html

This is beyond the realm of idiocy, another attempt to control what private funds are used for. I have seen memorials like these, placed by the parents or friends, to mark the place where a person has been killed in a traffic accident. Is the next lawsuit filed an attempting to stop parents from memorializing their child with a cross on the side of the road.This is a waste of taxpayer money on another frivolous lawsuit.

[The Real Bingo]

Are they memorials or transgressions?

[mad1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real Bingo

Are they memorials or transgressions?

I'm a little slow,it's Friday!

[The Real Bingo]

It's all good. And TGIF for sure.