Courts and Crosses

In regard to the controversy regarding the maintenance of the Bladensberg World War One memorial cross on public land, I made the following post:

Quite an interesting problem. I’ve long taken the position that America, in order to be a just government, must be a secular government neutral towards religion. Having said that, while this cross was obviously erected as a Christian symbol and the court so ordering otherwise cannot change this hard-core reality, this particular symbol has become an historical monument. While I would oppose the direction of a new monument on public land of this type, the fact that this monument was constructed at a time when this was considered acceptable should be taken into consideration. I believe it should be allowed to stand. That is not to say we should not have appropriate symbology added which indicates that this represents the national attitude of a long gone time.

Some will say, ”Well then, this must justify Confederate statuary”. It does not. While putting up the cross was supporting Christianity as a state supported, if not actually state sponsored, religion; maintaining Confederate statuary is the equivalent of the Germans putting up monuments to such as Hitler, Borman, and other Nazi leaders. Tolerating a past that lived in error is not the same thing as glorifying those who supported a vile and despicable cause.