Comments about ‘Are crosses religious symbols? Court to hear case’

personally i would like to defend the crosses...they would be a tribute to the fallen trooper/his family and all those that appreciate the danger these troopers put themselves in everyday for our safety and well being.

the mere fact that the mormons do not use crosses is a completely different issue and should not weigh in on this judges decision. thank you,
bob tanner.

I knew some of the officers that are memorialized by these crosses. The American Athiest association is going to attack any form of sacradness and decency left in American. Their secular agenda provides a great example of ignorance and intolerance. These UHP crosses are not an example of a church or devotion to a particular diety. They convey a message to the public that good men and woman protect, serve and sacrifice for the good of mankind.

What if an UHP officer is not a mormon? What symbol will be used?

Oh I forgot there are no UHP officers that are not mormon...

Devan | 2:53 p.m you're faith is so marginal that it can't survive knowing people think god is myth and you need the government to validate your beliefs publicity?

As an American atheist, I don't require my thoughts to be placed in court houses, parks or along roads. I do encounter bias. It's ok to crap on atheist. You can defame us, call us immoral and refuse to vote for us and its OK. Just don't consider Mitt's religious believes when you vote.

In California, we name freeways after dead patrolman. We leave religion to his family. We respect there are patrolman who aren't Christians. Why can't Utahans respect the beliefs of others.

Mormons are a greater treat than us atheist. I don't come to your door trying to convert you to my beliefs. I won't judge you by the partner you choose or because you drink.

To What if?

You are a complete idiot and clown.

I disagree with Anonymous for the simple reason the cross represents death. Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution used by the Romans for many years, if not decades or even centuries. Although Jesus was crucified on a cross, and Christian peoples use it as a symbol of their religion, it is not, repeat, not exclusively a religious symbol. My problem with atheists is the bigotry and intolerance they exhibit over a trivial issue.

Mormons are the only Christians who don't use the cross. If you studied the cross and crucifixion you would know the way Jesus is depicted is wrong. Driving a nail through hands will not support the body weight. The cross is a wonderful metaphor. Once, there were no Christians. The idea of resurrection was part of the Jewish belief system. Your Old Testament was once the Torah. The cross is really a symbol of the Tree of Life.

Atheist bigotry? How many of us American atheist will be holding up temple garments and street preaching as transvestites and gays dance on Main Street during General Conference?

On the other hand, the cross becomes a religious symbol when used in a religious setting, especially when it is used to depict Christ hanging from it. At that point, it evokes memories and reverence for the supreme sacrifice of a person whom many regard as the literal offspring of God. Christ's sacrifice cannot be ignored. Whether you believe in Him or not, He died for you, to bring you eternal life and salvation.

Thomas: you are correct.
The Crucifiction of Christ is a part of ALL Christianity. Of course, the Crucifiction without the Resurrection would just be another death...not an opportunity to all for etrenal Life.
Mormons, along with other Christians, believe this to mbe true: The Crucifiction of Christ made the Resurrection possible, thus allowing ALL to find Eternal Salvation through this Atonement.
LDS and other Christians are so thankfull for this chance.
LDS recognize the Cross for what it is. They also recognize the Resurrection as the gate to Heaven through the Salvation of Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God.

A smily face was a smily face until Wal-Mart used it ! Does that mean every smily face is an endorsement of Wal-Mart? In the words of Bill Cosby "come on people"

"Courts have found that crosses don't always convey a religious message. The 10th Circuit last year found the three crosses used by Las Cruces, N.M., in a city seal was a pictograph of the city's name, which in Spanish means 'The Crosses.'"

That would seem to be pretty limited precedent!

If you were to somehow remove the religious significance of a cross it simply becomes a 't'. The idea that a cross at a memorial site is not necessarily a religious symbol is a weak argument.

When marking the location of a death, the cross is a symbol of faith, the same as a Star of David for Judaism or a Crescent and Star for Islam. Its use is a statement on the belief of the people that place them and, hopefully, the belief of the person that is was intended to honor.

If it is a government sponsored program, (it is stated that it is not) and if a cross is used, regardless of the beliefs of the fallen officer, then it becomes a problem for me.

If these markers are placed by a volunteer or private group that is independently funded, and if the symbol used does represent the convictions of the fallen then I would have little issue with it.

Saying that, I would prefer to see the American flag as it seems to better represent the service of the fallen officers and that their work was dedicated to us all regardless of our own beliefs.

I use a white cross on my lawn to hold baskets of flowers. I never thought of it being a religious symbol, but only a convenient way to display my flower baskets, I guess people can make whatever they want of about anything if they are looking to be offended. I am not too sure why the use of flags would be more appropriate. It could be that these people weren't all that patriotic.

I agree with Anonymous here. The Flag does represent service, dedication and self-sacrifice.

Had one of the deceased been Jewish, or Muslim, or Aethiest would they and their families consider a cross free of religious connotation?
This is such a minor issue in the bigger scheme of things it isn't worth the effort. But a cross does in fact have a specific Christian connotation, and you'd be lying to deny it.

What should it matter to an athiest about any religion or how its displayed? Aren't they in fact tring to force their relgtion of not beliveing in a religion? There is no constitutional reason for their complaints about others religions. Our government itself is based on christian beliefs and government is not barred from maintaining those beliefs. There is no such claim in the constitution about seperation of church and state, its all manufactured misconceptions. We have the right and duty to maintain christian beliefs in government and athiests have the same right to disbeliev in the government but they cannot dictate or change any of government doctrines that don't exist. These athiest claims are rediculous and unfounded.

The LDS Church is not the only Christian denomination that does not use crosses. The Unitarian/Congregationalist tradition has generally eschewed crosses or other markings. There are also other Christian traditions that do not use the cross.

The reason for this is not a rejection of the cross or the death and ressurection of Christ, but a reaction to concerns of idolatry and excessive use of object worship.

It is true that many Christian churches that once had "deemphasized" the cross imagery now embrace it. This merely shows that acceptance of that imagery has changed over time.

Early LDS leaders spoke of the cross, using language similar to that of other Christian denominations. In fact, several years ago, the Presiding Bishop of the Church proposed constructing a large cross on Ensign Peak.

It's too bad that we must be divided over something that should be a symbol of hope and brotherhood.

Get over it.... If you don't like it, don't look at it as you drive by.

Oh and make sure you get rid of all that money in your pocket. (in god we trust)

This is my PERSONAL opinion, but I think the UHP Crosses are too large. I like the idea of a memorial (if the officer's family agrees), but the giant crosses are too much.

I would prefer a smaller-sized marker.

It appears that my opinion is different from those previously stated, but why is any kind of symbol, cross, flag or marker needed? Isn't the patrol officer recognized and respected in his/her final burial place, why also along a highway?

To Correction - wow, you just called LDS Christians, I am surprised you haven't already been slammed for that one.