Comments about ‘Judge OKs crosses as trooper memorials’

I'm glad the judge ruled that it's OK for the crosses to remain. I don't understand why anyone would want to hurt a family of a fallen UHP officer by wanting to take those crosses away. That's just plain crazy. And these crosses are in memory of those fallen UTAH officers and if a judge in UTAH said it's OK, leave DENVER courts out of it!!

this is a great win for utah's finest....these 12 foot crosses are a great reminder of the sacrifice of not only these troopers lives but the family they left behind. keep up the great work UHP!

Can't You American Athesists Find something better to do with your time then set and argue about a cross??? There so much more in this life than to fight over a cross. Fight for kids who are going hungry or for the homeless. Help them!!! Put your money where it can be helpful instead of wasting it over something that is so small.

I see nothing wrong with a cross on side of road remebering someone who has put his or her life in danger to help yours. These officers life are on the line every single day they don't know what they are going be hit with that day. When one dies in the line duty they should be respected and remember.

Apparently you don't know what it like when you wake up in morning and send your loved one to work when they work as officer or firefighter and wonder if they will make it home to you that night or morning depending on shift they work.

Great Job UHP hope you win the case again if they go futher. You do a great job and I thank you!!

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. Barnard said.
It all depends on context.

Ever meet a joyous and happy athiest?

Hooray for sanity. The judge made the right ruling. I can't speak for others but my thoughts go to that trooper who lost his life on duty when I see those crosses and not my religion. If he had ruled for the opposite view, every military cemetary across the country would be out of compliance because they all have crosses on the military graves. Why is taxpayer money being wasted on such inane arguments? Do we all have to act like athesists in order for them ever to be happy? Can we sue the athesists when eventually there are no symbols of religion in view for forcing their religion on us??

These attacks are getting worse. I am all for the separation of church and state... but this is where the obnoxiousness of all this is obvious. Here we have an organization trying to show respect for those who have fallen serving their community and those fighting against these crosses can't be tolerant of this respect. There are plenty of places to fight their battle, but they chose to fight their battle over the dead bodies of those that were protecting their communities. The lack of tact is as obnoxious as the degree of separation that is sought. They wont be happy until ANY display of religion is eradicated.

I'm an agnostic slash atheist, but I think for this lawsuit to be brought forth was ludicrous from the get go. It's the secular progressives trying to push forward their silly agenda. I hope the crosses continue to stay. People need to lighten the heck up.

I think the judge ruled in favor of common sense and understanding. Many of the troopers were probably Mormon and in the Mormon faith the cross itself doesn't have the same meaning as the rest of the Christian world. So if the trooper's families are okay then why should we be so offended. I love being preached to about being open and the "preachers of diversity" are the most closed of any group.

I agree. The 10th Circuit Court of Apeals has not been favorable toward decisions made by Utah Judges as of late. Why can't people take no for an answer. I personally am not offended by the markers for fallen UHP officers. I'm sorry some are, however, those who are need to respect the wishes of other people and not push their beliefs as a position the government should take.

Goooood Sam! I personally want to thank the good judge. If a family of a fallen trooper of the Jewish faith wants to put a Star of David or a Menora with their name on it... More power to them...and the same goes for all faiths. This is America for one and for all.

Yes, you heard it right, American Atheists. A federal judge has instructed you to go grind your ax elsewhere. And btw, your crusade against grieving families of fallen officers is disgusting.

I'M a happy atheist, anonymous. Nevertheless I'm pleased with the ruling. Try making smaller generalizations. :)

I have no problem with crosses along the hiway but why do people need to glorify an event that is both unfortunate and unpleasant.

For the family of the fallen officer there is no need to remind them of that spot and there is no need to advertise the event to the rest of us. Other people who die while performing the service of their occupation don't normally get monuments marking the place of their death.

I have great respect and admiration for the people who look after our safety and welfare but I also realize that they are just human beings like the rest of us.

Plant a tree in your yard, put a cross in the cemetary, do what every you wish but give up the need to build public monuments to your personal need.

Hooray! It's about time we stand up for the majority. There seem to be people who have nothing better to do than to cause contention. Thanks to the courts for the great work they do!

Do the American Atheists plan on suing each and every township and city in the United States for allowing all of those cross-shaped power poles to be on public land? There's a flippin' endless supply of those exclusive Christian-based structures lined along nearly all the streets along the 35-mile stretch from my home to work. The markers for the deceased public servants are dignified and have been accepted by the families. Heaven forbid (pun intended) that public funds, even those collected through taxes, be spent on something that doesn't represent each person's unique ideas or belief system. Sounds like common sense, doesn't it? Hopefully the court of appeals will uphold the ruling and not overturn the wishes of the families and UHP based on SECULAR RELIGIOUS VALUES. That's right, just because the Atheist stance is not based on theology does not legitimize their argument nor minimize their attempt to push their own values.

It's a pretty well-known fact that Mormons don't have the cross as a religious symbol. Not surprised that this would be a problem for the faithful.

I'm assuming the UHP doesn't hire Jews. If you notice there are Stars of David marking the graves of Jews at Arlington National Cemetery. I guess when you see America as a Christan country your methodologies don't have to consider pesty minorities. As an veteran and a American atheist, I don't believe we shouldn't have crosses. I'm more sensitive to minority beliefs.

My name is Kameron Thorne and my father is one of the fallen UHP officers on one of the crosses. The crosses with the fallen officer's name on it means different things to different people. For my family and I, it means that someone made the ultimate sacrifice while working for state of Utah. This cross is simply of symbol of their sacrifice. These officers should be remembered. Many people have written letters to my family expressing their gratitude and the cross has touched many in a positive way. I am pleased with the decision by the judge but realize that it is a temporary victory for now. My family and I appreciate those that donate their time and resources to defend this noble cause.

I am a VERY HAPPY American Atheist. The Cross has changed a bit in meaning anyway. Now it's how people mark graves. Much like the Christmas Tree.
I don't have a problem with them putting up a cross because it's meaning is to remember these brave men, not push a christian propoganda!

Why do people make such big mountains out of such small mole hills?

When I see a cross or a star of David or whatever other symbol I don't believe in, I don't get all offended over it. Especially a cross on the side of the road. Crosses have historically served as grave markers, so the religious and historic values are both present.

Why do the atheists care so much about this stuff? Like the other poster said, go fight for something worthwhile.