The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has just ruled that a Christian cross meant to honor fallen military heroes is unconstitutional because it “projects a government endorsement of Christianity.”
Specifically, the 29-foot concrete cross that stands on Mount Soledad Memorial – which is located in a public park in San Diego, California – must now come down. The cross stood as a memorial to honor Korean War veterans for 57 years, and was originally dedicated “as a reminder of God’s promise to man of everlasting life and of those persons who gave their lives for freedom.”
The legal fight over the cross began in 1989 when atheist Philip Paulson sued the city of San Diego because he felt offended by it. The ACLU, ever eager for an opportunity to denigrate our Judeo-Christian heritage and bastardize the First Amendment, took the fight from there and has won for the moment. The American Legion has already requested that Attorney General Eric Holder appeal the case and a Supreme Court battle is looming.
It may be difficult to remember, but there was actually a time when men entering the United States’ armed services – potentially to lay down their lives for their country – were encouraged to exercise their Christian faith, or any faith tradition they might observe.
During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt prayed over national airwaves to “Almighty God” for the success of the D-Day invasion and the war effort in a manner that today would surely unleash a torrent of protest. Roosevelt’s prayer begged God’s blessing in America’s “struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization.”
That’s right. Our religion. It wasn’t Hinduism or Shintoism that President Roosevelt had in mind when he uttered that phrase. It was America’s Judeo-Christian beliefs, which have been a pillar of our society since the nation’s founding.
Current attempts to deny, stifle, and eradicate Christianity are a much more recent aberration. Still, today the official U.S. Military Code of Conduct (Article Six) states: “I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.”
This is certainly much to the chagrin of the anti-Christian ACLU.
So I have a suggestion for anyone who is offended by this recent swipe at our religious freedom. Exercise your First Amendment right and send ACLU President Susan Herman a simple email message. Put a “+” symbol in the subject line and send it to sherman@aclu.org. Let her know how you feel about her organization’s hatred for your beliefs and America’s heritage. Send this to your friends and let’s aim to erect thousands of e-memorials in Ms. Herman’s inbox. Also, be sure to copy me in your email to Ms. Herman at bradoleary11@gmail.com and I’ll report back later on how many “crosses” she receives.