From Deseret News archives:
Judge OKs crosses as trooper memorials
Federal judge rules they have a secular meaning
In a win for the Utah Highway Patrol Association against the group American Atheists Inc., U.S. District Judge David Sam held Tuesday that the memorial crosses, found along various highways throughout the state, do not represent a government endorsement of a particular religious belief. Such an endorsement would violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
"Even classic religious symbols may have various meanings and purposes depending on their context," Sam wrote. "The memorial crosses at issue communicate a secular message, a message that a patrolman died or was mortally wounded at a particular location."
News of the ruling was well met by state troopers. "Obviously we're pleased," said UHPA president Shane Mebker. "The intent all along was to honor the sacrifice of these men for the state." Mebker said he was also pleased that Sam recognized that recognition.
Much like the Ten Commandments, Sam said the Latin cross may act as a secular as well as a religious symbol, depending on the context. The reasoning was taken from two U.S. Supreme Court rulings issued recently which held that displays of the Ten Commandments can be on government property as long as their context is historic and not religious in nature.
American Atheists attorney Brian Barnard called Sam's ruling troubling in that the judge held that the cross as a symbol is as secular as the Christmas tree. "Such a holding demeans the cross and those religions which revere it. That vast majority of society today knows exactly and immediately the message a Roman cross conveys. It is not a generic symbol but the pre-eminent and exclusive symbol of Christianity," Barnard said.
The legal controversy over the memorial crosses is not over yet. Barnard said American Atheists will ask the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver to review the case.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com
Recent comments
I am a joyous and happy atheist.
It is good to meet you.
I...
Grant A. | Nov. 21, 2007 at 8:49 p.m.
Expression, the thing that the City of Peoria permitted was precisely...
Anonymous | Nov. 21, 2007 at 8:21 p.m.
TO KAMERON THORNE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT AND THESE ATHIESTS ARE MORE...
Offended? | Nov. 21, 2007 at 8:18 p.m.
- Dixie campus briefs 1:10 a.m.
- Westminster campus briefs 1:09 a.m.
- UVU campus briefs 1:07 a.m.
- Utah Utes campus briefs 1:07 a.m.
- Visit to paradise nightmarish for Ags 12:32 a.m.
- Utes struggling to shake starts 12:31 a.m.
- Cougars' execution flawless 12:30 a.m.
- Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings 12:17 a.m.
- 3A football: Tigers pull away 12:12 a.m.
- Editorial: 'Immigrant' children needy 12:12 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
207 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - Lobo suspended
171 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
128 - House passes health care bill
111 - RSL rallies to advance
102 - Prep football: San Juan vs. S. Sevier
102 - Thousands protest health bill
100 - Provo company innovating engines
98
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
NASA's Stardust probe continues to bring new knowledge about the nature...
Nothing proposed would keep young adults from learning of the reality of sex,...
the only "decent" team we played we lost to? I guess that Air Force isn't a...
I am watching the game again, and it is awesome!!!
I can't help but laugh inside when I read comments from YBU/TCU fans who...
(from the independant) I like Dennis Miller.... and Bill Maher, although I...
As a BYU alumnus, I can't justify to myself ever donating another dollar to...
Not a chance. Don't get me wrong they are both studs, but if Asiata wasn't...
Titan Fan, sorry that some of your best players got hurt. I hope they...
So sad how fear based so many are.
Will the Jazz even make the playoffs this year. The way they are playing it...


