A recently conducted survey shows that 72% of the American public agree that a steel beam cross found in the wreckage of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks should remain publicly displayed on the memorial site.
Symbol of hope
The 17 ft cross shape was found by rescue workers as they searched through the ruins of the collapsed tower and was immediately touted as a symbol of hope.
The cross has since been displayed outside a local Catholic church until it was recently moved back to the 9/11 site to be a part of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum’s permanent collection.
Opposition
The presence of the cross in the memorial museum has been opposed by American Atheists, a secular campaigning group.
The group have filed a lawsuit, suggesting that the display of the cross is unconstitutional.
They argue that because the American Constitution maintains a separation between Church and State, the cross should not be in the museum which is on government property and is partly financed by the government.
The lawsuit charges that: “The challenged cross constitutes an unlawful attempt to promote a specific religion on governmental land.”
They are proposing that the cross be removed, or else have all other religions able to display symbols of “equal size and stature” in the memorial museum.
Public support
However, the survey carried out by Rasmussen Reports suggests that the American public do not object to the presence of the cross.
When asked whether they favour or oppose the presence of the cross in the memorial, only 10% opposed it whilst 72% were in favour.
The lawsuit by American Atheists has been heavily criticised by both religious and non-religious leaders.
Joseph C. Daniels, the president and chief executive of the memorial museum aid that the case was “without merit,” adding “[the cross] provided comfort to hundreds and hundreds of people who were working in some of the most hellish conditions imaginable.”
Rev Brian J. Jordan, A Franciscan priest who started holding Mass at the cross shortly after the disaster, said that the lawsuit was “the bizarre ramblings of angry minds.”
Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, commented:
“What is happening in New York is very similar to the kind of opposition we encounter here in Britain.
“Secular atheists claim to be neutral, but they are anti-God and anti-Christian and are intent on pushing Christianity out of public life.
“The attempt by American Atheists to ban or diminish the significance of this cross is not only against the wishes of the American people but a hostile attack on the values that the cross embodies: sacrifice, service and hope.”
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