beyond that cross at ground zero

[marions ghost]

31. I have no problem with it displayed as an historical artifact

but I think the siting --and making it stand out as the primary artifact --separate from other artifacts, was all wrong. It is the foregrounding of it within the site that is the problem. So it becomes in fact, a Christian shrine.

So on this issue I think Christians should be listening, if they have an ounce of sensitivity to people of other beliefs. It also crosses the line re church and state--this is a national memorial, which is as important as any we have in existence. To ask others to avoid it is the opposite of inclusive, the opposite of our national values. I would have no problem if this cross were displayed with other sculptural elements that were part of the buildings--and recognized as important to people at the time (through photos etc). But the cross was selected to represent our collective sense of hope and overcoming adversity. As a symbol, the cross in any material is far too complex to brush it off as merely "an artifact."

It is disingenuous of Christians to act like this is not in fact, a shrine, blessed by a priest. People of the Christian faith commonly get all pompous and scoff at atheists (and people of other religions) in this country. When you're the majority, you're #1 right? That is the context that others see this. I am disappointed in the attitude that this does not matter to Christians.