Should this be stopped?

Question

I doubt this is a new issue but, it's new to my little hick town so I thought I'd post this question to get some opinions. Recently, two kids died in a car accident on a public highway. The mother of one of the victims erected a small wooden cross with the girls' initials, their pictures & flowers. The little piece of land that she put this memorial on happens to be private property but it's viewable from the public highway. Since this is the oh so open minded southern bible belt, there are maybe 6 people who aren't Christian or Baptist here. A few people have asked that the memorial be removed or placed out of view because it is associated with Christianity. Naturally, people are going bananas about it. I'd like to know if anyone who happens not to believe in Christianity (me being one of them) thinks this is a valid request. Is this another example of religion being pushed upon people who have no interest in it or just a small thing being blown out of proportion? Thoughts?

Just to clairify, the owner of the property is fine with it and I myself am not actively trying to stop this woman and her memorial. It doesn't offend me in the slightest. Just askin' a question to get some views, that's it!

Answer 1

I think it is being blown out of proportion. Whether it be a cross, a rock, or even a small statue with some flowers on it, it all represents that someones loved one died there and to remind drivers to be careful. Anti-religious and religion vs religion people have made mountains out of mole hills as far as I am concerned. If the thought of any religion bothers people so badly then why do they still spend the American dollar which still has on it "In God We Trust"?

Answer 2

I am a Christian and I think these are a little weird. Why do you want to memorialize where your child or loved one died? Memorialize their life. Start a scholarship for kids with their interests, clean a park where they liked to play, something positive. To leave a cross up for a long period of time. To allow ribbons to fray and fade and the flowers to become dull is just a disrespect.

But, as for the symbol of Christianity being visible, would you have it removed from churches, make illegal for people to wear a cross necklace where it is visable? Why is a sign of our faith so offensive to those who do not believe? As long as the person who owns the property does not mind, anyone who does not believe should get a life. I mean really, it is 2 feet tall, and has no neon. It does not jump into the road whenever atheists drive by. You probably have to make a point of looking to even notice since most drivers can't even read road signs and we are SUPPOSED to be looking for those. Seriously, this is the biggest problem in their lives? The mother lost her CHILD, if this brings her one second of peace she deserves it.

Answer 3

I live in Southern California and what you are describing can be found on virtually every street where someone died. There is a cross that has stood for 3 years now by our high school where one of the students was hit by a car. Her friends keep the area cleaned and decorate for every holiday. To my knowledge, no one has complained even though the cross is on city/school property.

The people who are offended need to find something else to do. This memorial has nothing to do with them and everything to do with the people who mourn the passing of a loved one. If it is a comfort and helps them get past the grief and loss, then I think it is fine.

Definitely a small thing blown out of proportion. But then that's what society presently does. Take a small mistake or misspoken word and the media is in an uproar.

Be blessed.

Answer 4

I'm as fierce a fighter for a LARGE wall in the separation of church and state, but I think requesting the memorial to be removed is pushing it....UNLESS....there are zoning laws that govern the use of that property.

Just because it's private property doesn't mean you can do whatever you want with it. If there are no zoning laws regarding the symbol....I think the owner of the property does...and SHOULD...have the right to do with the property as they please. Regardless of view from a highway...or how people like me and you feel about it.

If there are zoning laws that govern what can be displayed by the community, the people who own the property are as bound to them as anyone else. Personally I'd probably leave the issue be for a while to respect the families grief.

I don't have any fundamental problem with seeing a cross on private land from a street...but I might have a problem with a neighbor sticking a large cross on their lawn. I;d fight that after giving them an appropriate time to mourn (say...2 months).

Answer 5

People have the right to their own religious expression, so long as they don't tread on the rights of others.

If I wanted to place a large pentacle on my property (I'm a Wiccan), I would expect controversy, but would still have the right to do it.

Incidentally, this is a very common practice where I live. There is still a cross and flowers on the location where my best friend (at the time) died in a car accident, and that was over 15 years ago.

Answer 6

If it's on private property, it's none of their business. I personally find these a little gauche, but I understand that when someone has a child die in an auto accident, there's a desire to memorialize them.

If this had been put on public property, it probably should have been removed within about 2 weeks. But on private property, it's no one else's business but the land owner. Churches, clam shell Mary, 10 commandment monuments, and cemetery markers are all over the place. If you've got a couple of vociferous atheists complaining about a little cross, what are they saying about the high steeples next to the highways and city streets?

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 7

It is being blown out of proportion. It should be up to the people who own the land, if it's private property. If it's on public property, let it be for a while so the family can have some grieving time, and then take it down. (Maybe after a month would be reasonable.)
(Speaking as an atheist.)

Answer 8

Hmmmm-tough decision. I couldn't believe less but if it's ok with the property owner, Id say let the woman place whatever memorial to her child. What a horrible nightmare to go through! I really think the whole religious argument shouldbe left out at this time.

Answer 9

well those ppl who are whining need to shove it seriously weather or not its a christian symbol its a symbol of her daughters death i live in the county where jessica lundsford was brutally murdered and on her street there is and has been for the past year a couple crosses and flowers placed aroundher street i on a daily basis and i dont mean a few flowers and one picture i mean candles and flowers out the wazoo and this is on a street corner its not private property at all its all public/government owned no one in their right mind would ***** about this childs memorial (and quite frankly id beat the **** out of them if they did) its wrong to complain about some one grieving over the loss of a child expetially a young child i baby sat kids that played with jessica they were shocked when they found out what had happened to their playmate and alot of their child hood magik in their eyes had vanished as they realised what happened if i were you id find out who bitched and prolly beat em down

Answer 10

Why is it such a big deal? I wouldn't think it a big deal if a Muslim or Buddist put a buddah statue or whatever out. Let the mother grieve in her own way. What you're doing is trying to make it so she can't express her view, simply because others would see her view and possibly would be offended by it? If it offends you, just look straight ahead!