Does the memorial cross at the World Trade Center site in New York exclude non-C

United States
July 30, 2011 11:33pm CST
If you have been to New York in the past while, you may have passed by the famous September 11 cross made out of steel beams taken out of the rubble. I have seen them myself, actually. As a non-Christian myself, I didn't throw a fit over it at all. In fact, I was able to appreciate the creation as a very moving piece of art. It was kind of astounding to see in person. I could technically be considered an atheist, because I am not theistic, though I don't call myself that. On the other hand, I could see how someone of a different religion might have taken offense to it, particularly if they had also lost someone on that day. We had someone from our family lost to us on that day, in fact. For all of the Muslims, Atheists, Buddhists, Jews, or whoever else other than Christians who died on that day, is this piece inconsiderate? I don't think it is, so long as it is not the sole memorial, which it isn't. As a matter of fact, they're opening an entire museum this year on the anniversary. So that considered, there's so much more we have to remember this day. On another note, I don't know if an entire museum is that necessary, because it was tragic, but ... I don't know. It was ten years ago. In a way, I would want to put more energy towards something more positive, and not so depressing, but I'm not sure what I think about it.
1 person likes this
5 responses
• United States
5 Aug 11
I don't think it was meant to say only Christians have a right to mourn there, but like calling the Holiday season Christmas, it is just a reminder to non-Christians that Christians run America, like it or not. If it was a Star of David or Crescent & Moon that large there would have been an uproar and someone would have come along and built a cross even bigger. Christians are perfectly happy with freedon of religion so long as they have the freedom to dominate American culture. No offense meant. -The "Despised by Christians" Rat
• United States
6 Aug 11
Correction: That should be "Crescent Moon & Star" for my Muslim friends. Thanks.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
1 Aug 11
It may serve the purpose well and appropriate in my opinion since most of the victims are Christian in this attack, and also the cross represent the vast majority of population's faith in America. If other faith followers feel offended, which i seriously doubt that, they can also erect a symbol that represent their religion belief, i am sure NY city will accomodate such request in the name of remembrance for those that were murdered in that tragic day. The cross may represent a 'HOPE' that those fallen can rest in everlasting peace. No need to take offense about that.
• United States
1 Aug 11
You're right, it is true that a majority of people in the United States are Christian. Another thing is, it's more of a personal piece, it's not as though it's as big as the Washington Monument. It's just a few feet tall really, and it's going to be placed in a museum. It could be even slightly more reasonable to protest if it were going to be an official monument, I think, but that's just not the case at all.
@urbandekay (18278)
31 Jul 11
No, that is silly all the best urban
• United States
31 Jul 11
Very in-depth!
31 Jul 11
In my opinion, they erected a cross because it would've been really tough to make a statue of Buddha or a Star of David out of steel beams. A cross is much easier. It doesn't even have to have any religious significance: it's a memorial, not an altar. It's there to remind us of the attack, not make a statement about a particular deity. The people asking for its removal just want publicity: they should run around naked in public, we'd care more then.
• United States
31 Jul 11
I consider it to be more like a piece of artwork more than anything else, so asking for it to not be in the museum would be like asking to take out all of the old madonnas and religious paintings from the Metropolitan in NY.
@catof1 (683)
• United States
31 Jul 11
Well since there are walls and walls of names on the departed in the wars (all different ones) I find that when people in general construct monuments and markers to remember the departed by. It is not meant to be depressing at all, but up lifting for the community and for those who lost their loved ones. They have not been forgotten nor will they be. I think that America is vast in it's reserve for love and compassion; we just don't show it all the time. It is in these moments when we see the Cross or what not that it is reflected and we are drawn together as a family....that is the way it is supposed to be. I think it is a good thing to have and do.