This infuriates me

Just to clear one thing up...

This Cross was not excavated, nor created out of the rubble. This cross was one of the last pair of Ibeams that were left standing when the towers fell. Aside from a small piece of the facade of the trade center, these two beams were the only things left standing in their original position on the site. That is why people found meaning in it, and that is why when the site was cleared, these beams were kept there. There was no intent of advertisement, no intent to make it a Christian memorial. I for one say a prayer every time I pass the site which is pretty much every day.

Wow. I do not want to get into a quabble over religion. However, I am an athiest. I agree with yabbobay. I personally do not have a problem with the cross. It's metal beams that fell into a crossed position. I don't see it as religious, and I don't have a problem with people displaying it. That said, I would hope that at any memorial to Sept 11th, we recognize that the attacks happened because of religious zealots who are fighting a war based solely on religion. So any memorial should include some tribue to all the religions affected by that day, including Islam. Many Islamic people were killed that day. Islam is a peaceful religion. We should remember them too.

So ask yourself, if you want the cross, are you willing to accept the Star of David? Are you willing to accept some token of Islam? Are you willing to accept some token that represents athiesm?

Sept 11th came about because of religion. It's okay to remember that. But don't push anyone to the outside. We were ALL affected by Sept 11th, regardless of beliefs.

The idea of this country is to let people have freedom to believe in whatever it is they want to, or not believe, that is what freedom is all about.

I don't think anyone is trying to push another to the outside.

What is being said is that the 'cross' that is there was not put there by anyone, not erected to acknowledge any one religion, it was simply something that was left standing amongst all the rubble that was the World Trade Center. If some people want to take solice in that, why would anyone want to take that away from them.

It certainly was not put there as a form of 'advertisement', it was not PUT there at all.

All I really have to say is that regardless of what was found in the rubble...whether it was the cross or the star of david or any symbol that people are familar with....if that symbol gives peace to a few that were affected by the attacks and gives them a little bit of hope for the future then it should stay and no one should be able to take that away from them.

Everything can't be politcally correct all the time and this is one of those times people need to leave things be.

JMO : )

The fact that this is even an issue shows how ridiculous our world has become.
IMHO This is insulting to the memory of those who perished on 9/11.

honestly...if I had died on 9/11 I would be insulted if people left a 'cross' on my gravesite


my concern is that this GOVERNMENT (port authority is part of the government)has become more religious and that is completely against my Constitutional rights...I was appalled when the Congressmen sang God Bless America...there are dozens of patriotic songs...why that one?


on a happier note...a lot of steel from the WTC is being recycled into a new navy ship...the USS New York...now thats my idea of a memorial

just wanted to add...Americans aren't the only sue crazy country...

when I was in China there was a law suit going on where a man was suing a musician, saying that she has lived in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan...He claimed he became emotionally distraught b/c all three places are all technically China...and he won!!!

As a person who lost 2 family members on 9/11, I'd just like to say that it's a comfort symbol for me.
Yes I am a Christian and yes I believe in God but that's not the reason I find it comforting. It was found in the rubble... half of the people that perished weren't found! It's a symbol of those who will never be found!
I understand that everyone has a point of view and is entitled to their opinions, but some of the stuff said on this thread has made me sick.
I'm not a very out spoken person, but when you're still trying to move on 2 years later and you see some of the things that were written here, you have to speak up and relay the other side to the argument.
Thank you all for your opinions.. America is a beautiful place and freedom of speech is a beautiful thing!

i like that even better...

Yep..
that was the jist of my post two pages back! hehe

It can be a cross, a scrap of metal or a symbol of strength.. it can be anything.

Again, I personally dont need any reminders, nor do I need to see something like that to understand the magnitude of what happened. Others might.. and frankly, Im alright with that..

I am not alright with this becoming a religious free for all (hence my Gods-R-Us comment). That sickens me!.

I try as much as possible not to offend someone but this conversation hurts my heart and I cannot be silent.

The cross at Ground Zero was not something someone created. Rather out of the ruins emerged a symbol which is unquestionable. It was there as the only part of the building to stay intact! Yes there was pain. Yes there was tragedy and death but he left something to show he was there in the midst of pain and suffering. He said 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' His word says 'though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death...I will not fear...for YOU ARE WITH ME' Sorry I never like to engage in religious talk but how can we continue to deny God and then pray when we are in trouble and expect him to perform a sudden miracle. Just my view.

Love to all-Irene
Edited to say: Once again I am saying this is my belief and I'm not pushing a view, nor trying to offend anyone.

Thank you irenie! You said it perfectly, sweetie.

Everyone needs God in their lives, those who have not yet 'found God' don't know what they're missing. I can only pray that He comes their way.

However, although I am Christian I also recognize that each individual needs to find God in his or her own way. Yes, the cross should stay on the site, but I would also welcome any other religious symbols that people want to submit there too. It infuriates me as well, that this has become a lawsuit.

the idea to remove it from the site is purely to protect all americans rights...

it is not in the plan...it needs to be removed...the Cahtolic Church and other Christian churches need to get together and take claim of the 'cross' and find an apporpriate private piece of land for it...

whether people believe in God or not...it has been a cornerstone of our government to separate religion and government...this is PUBLIC land...

and please don't push your religion on me...

...and jumping into the topic...

separation of church and state was included by our forefathers so that our government would not become a govt based on any one religion....where our president would be given diety status and we would all blindly follow this god. look it up..and look into all that is written about this . a little bit of research does us all good.

second, I am NOT SURE of this but I do not think that the beams FELL this way and formed a cross...I think that they were a part of a LARGER structure...longer beams that formed a grid and the backbone of the building. The other parts were torn away and that is what remained. If people looked at it and saw a cross and a priest decided to bless it and say mass there on sunday to aid in comforting the workers and visitors to the site...then I think it fulfilled its purpose. As far as the Star of David comparison, that partricular item was manually created by some of the remenants of the site...was not formed due to the collaspe of the towers..so that is a whole different catagory. ( I think it's fine to include it- why not? but just my opinion)

Third, I think it is a shame that anyone would bring up a lawsuit against something of this nature. Shame on them. First they wanted to take 'under G-d' out of the Pledge of Allegiance and now this.
People should be grateful they live in a country where they can observe whatever religion they choose...and that they can even debate this.

personally, I think that they should not have removed the 'peeled skin' of the outside of the Towers. Most people recognize what that item was...it showed what a powerful blow was struck to these buildings, and how somehow some of it remained...our strength in its' strength.

I also think we need to build a bigger/taller builidng on that site...but financially who is going to be willing to rent floorspace that high up in the building?

JMO
PEACE

yabbobay, I coudn't agree with you more! I kow that it would be disturbing to my Jewish parents to know that there is a cross on the site where their daughter was killed! Disturbing and insulting!

honestly...if I had died on 9/11 I would be insulted if people left a 'cross' on my gravesite

my concern is that this GOVERNMENT (port authority is part of the government)has become more religious and that is completely against my Constitutional rights...I was appalled when the Congressmen sang God Bless America...there are dozens of patriotic songs...why that one?


Again, well said Yabbobay. I am really impressesd with your articulation and knowledge...FWIW.