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Freedom Group Protests Cross at Charleston Firehouse
JEFFREY COLLINS
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. - A group that supports the separation of religion and state wants a cross removed from in front of a Charleston fire station that city officials say honors nine firefighters killed battling a furniture store blaze.
The fight over the cross extends from a battle the Freedom from Religion Foundation had with the city last December when the group complained about a nativity scene in front of the same fire station. Officials added secular decorations, including snowmen, to comply with the law.
Most of the decorations came down by the new year, but the cross stayed up, the city saying it was now a memorial to the firefighters killed in June 2007, said Rebecca Markert, a lawyer for the foundation.
The foundation didn't buy the explanation, sending a letter last week to the city threatening to sue if the cross is not removed because it violates the U.S. Constitution by endorsing a specific religion. The group also said for the past five years the same cross had been removed at the same time as the Christmas items.
"We believe it is a sham to say it is now part of a permanent memorial when before it was being put up and taken down in December as part of Christmas," Markert said Tuesday.
The cross rests near a stone memorial with the names of the nine Charleston firefighters killed as they fought a blaze at the Sofa Super Store.
Lawyers for the city told officials it was a legal display because it is a secular emblem of death.
"The message communicated by the cross is clearly one of honoring fallen firefighters and not of furthering a religious purpose," lawyers for the city said in a news release.
The letter from the foundation gave the city a May 14 deadline to take down the cross.
Related
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. - A group that supports the separation of religion and state wants a cross removed from in front of a Charleston fire station that city officials say honors nine firefighters killed battling a furniture store blaze.
The fight over the cross extends from a battle the Freedom from Religion Foundation had with the city last December when the group complained about a nativity scene in front of the same fire station. Officials added secular decorations, including snowmen, to comply with the law.
Most of the decorations came down by the new year, but the cross stayed up, the city saying it was now a memorial to the firefighters killed in June 2007, said Rebecca Markert, a lawyer for the foundation.
The foundation didn't buy the explanation, sending a letter last week to the city threatening to sue if the cross is not removed because it violates the U.S. Constitution by endorsing a specific religion. The group also said for the past five years the same cross had been removed at the same time as the Christmas items.
"We believe it is a sham to say it is now part of a permanent memorial when before it was being put up and taken down in December as part of Christmas," Markert said Tuesday.
The cross rests near a stone memorial with the names of the nine Charleston firefighters killed as they fought a blaze at the Sofa Super Store.
Lawyers for the city told officials it was a legal display because it is a secular emblem of death.
"The message communicated by the cross is clearly one of honoring fallen firefighters and not of furthering a religious purpose," lawyers for the city said in a news release.
The letter from the foundation gave the city a May 14 deadline to take down the cross.
Related
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Voges on
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I have over 7 years in the Army and been to combat 2 times. I will not let you or anyone else tell me where I can or cant read my BIBLE any where I can and cant pray at. By you saying that I cant bring my religion to the fire house is violating my 1st Amendment. That I have had buddy's that gave there life for.
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Permalink Reply by Jessica N Gardner on
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Amen.....
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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Old Glory is a secular symbol.
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Shareef - I was so glad to read your post. Most Americans are not aware of the tolerance that is mandated by the Koran, and only see the crazy stuff that's on the TV.
That said, you are missing the point of the argument - in the US (I see from your profile you are in NY) the law clearly mandates a separation between church and state. In this instance, the fire station is public property so an overt symbol of religion is against the rules. It does not matter if it offends anyone or not, nor does it matter if the entire city votes in favour of it - the law is quite clear.
As-salamu alaykum - be safe brother
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Thanks for that, ITG, but most of the lads here will just put Hell out.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Vic,
Many that read this post won't bother to read any but the one or two posts above theirs (depending of course, on their skills and abilities). I think JPB's response is both typical and indicative of the general response.
There is another post (mine, actually) about the supreme court decision in the mojave. That might be a more suitable place to post your link and any further discussion of the topic. Replies here will only get more rabid and nonsensical.
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My post pre-dates the new thread, but I'll have a look. I'm off to read a Gospel to remind myself that these zealots don't represent the Man very well.
Ironic thing for an atheist to say.
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Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on
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Vic,
If you're making a "seperation" argument, that's one thing. (Although I disagree with that, as well). But displaying religious icons on the grounds of a taxpayer-supported firehouse equals "ram their religion down everyone's throat"? Really?
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JPB,
Try doing what, protesting?
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Ben,
I think the religious labels are both self-inflicted and necessary. Without them, how would we know the "good people" from the "bad people"? I mean, in here it's fairly apparent that many that are "christian" seem to think that those that are (or appear to be) "atheists" are bad, at least based on a number of comments/replies in this discussion.
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