Don't Tear Me Down

I was just complaining to J.E. that I wanted to write a post, but I was completely unable to decide what to write about. Then I found my answer. I was too tired to post at the time, so I'm taking my night-off-of-the-week to write this, and can't think of a better way to spend it:

J.E. posted a video on her facebook, which I reposted on mine, about the Mojave Desert War Memorial, and the danger it faces of being taken down. Before I continue, let me explain this memorial is, and why it matters:

The Mohave Desert War Memorial was erected in 1934 by WWI veterans to honor their fallen comrades. The memorial is a simple cross, on a rock, in the middle of the desert. The cross, while a "Christian" symbol, is also a symbol used worldwide for such memorials, with and without religious reasons.

This cross has stood there for 75 years without anybody complaining, until now.

The scoop: On man, who lives in Oregon (the memorial is in California), complained that he didn't believe that the cross should be on government property. Now the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is attempting to tear down the memorial. For the moment, it is covered up, but still standing.

So, plainly speaking, one guy who lives nowhere near this one random cross in the middle of nowhere, makes a stink about it, and now a 75 year old memorial raised by the veterans of one of the greatest and most terrible wars of all time is in danger of being destroyed?

The Supreme Court hearing on this issue started today (Or rather, yesterday, since writing this has taken me past the midnight mark). When did I hear about this? Yesterday (The day before, now.). Naturally, given the unreliability of our public media, I'm not surprised that this is the first I heard of this issue, but it does not make me any the less angry that I was prevented from hearing sooner, so I could speak out and take action sooner.

This memorial stands not only for WWI veterans, but for all who fall in the service of their country. Think nothing of the fact the symbol of the cross can be associated with Christianity. Think for a moment, only of the fact that it is a symbol for fallen veterans. In what way does anyone gain from dishonoring their memory? What message does this send out to soldiers fighting today? If we cannot respect the soldiers of our past, what can they expect in the future? I don't know about you, but after what some of my family and friends have gone through, I expect better from our citizens.

Now you can consider the cross in its Christian context. In our nation, we are supposed to have a wonderful constitutional right called freedom of religion. Yet here we are, wasting time and energy about a single cross? I pass about 3 different crosses every time I drive from school to home, as well as the Israeli flag twice, and nary a complaint from my fellow commuters or myself. If someone decided to fly the Alam al-Shahada from their flagpole, I wouldn’t complain. I see symbols, signs and sayings everywhere, on private and public property, that I may not believe in or agree with, but that’s the glory of this nation-that everyone is supposedly allowed to express their beliefs and opinions without persecution. Sadly, in my own experience, persecution has ever been my companion, a story I may tell later on, because I have to wonder: Who will continue to stand and fight, when they gain nothing but hatred, and how long
before Christians themselves may still stand, but have to be hidden, like the cross in the desert?

Both issues touch close to home for me. I have veterans amongst my family and friends, people who have given their time, their health, their lives, for a greater purpose, and I, frankly speaking, am just plain sick of having to fight for my religious rights in a supposedly free country.

~Caera

Official Site:
http://www.donttearmedown.com/

The Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeuBB_mOFIA&feature=channel_page