American Atheists, Inc.
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2013
For More Information Contact:
David Silverman, President 908-276-7300 x5, dsilverman@atheists.org
Dave Muscato, Public Relations Director 908-276-7300 x7, dmuscato@atheists.org
Judge Rules 9/11 Memorial Cross ‘Non-Religious’
Atheist Group Will Appeal Judgment
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| Photo by Getty |
Austin, TX—In the matter of American Atheists’ lawsuit against the taxpayer-funded 9/11 Memorial Cross, a judge found no state action endorsing religion and found that the symbol itself is not religious but instead an artifact.
The ruling states, “Since the decision to include the artifact in the Museum’s Historical Exhibit has a secular purpose, Defendants have not advanced religion impermissibly, and the cross does not create excessive entanglement between the state and religion. Thus, Plaintiffs’ Establishment Clause claim fails.”
“We will appeal. We’re fighting it. This is not dead,” American Atheists’ President Dave Silverman said of the ruling. “This is a place where religion destroyed American lives. This is something all Americans must fight. This is injustice. What could possibly be more religious than a cross? The only thing would be a cross with the name ‘Jesus’ carved in it.”
The World Trade Center Cross, also known as the Ground Zero Cross, is a cross-shaped pair of steel beams found in the ruins of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Many Americans see the steel beams as a Christian cross and believe its survival was symbolic. A Roman Catholic Franciscan priest, Father Brian Jordan, spoke over the cross and declared it to be “a symbol of hope ... [a] symbol of faith ... [a] symbol of healing.”
“It is our position that the cross is undoubtedly a religious symbol,” said Dave Muscato, Public Relations Director of American Atheists. “It does not belong in a publicly funded memorial unless other groups, including atheists, also have the equal right to display their respective symbols.”
Press Release
Still Small Voice
Atheist group wants cross removed or their own 9/11 symbol; NY judge disagrees
Even better, since the year 2000 more than 300 counties in the United States have ADDED "In God We Trust" to their public buildings.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary American Atheists.
Isn't that interesting. Thanks, Thesauros.
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