ACLU wants NOLA parish to forget Katrina memorial cross

[Texana]

New Orleans isn't gone, it's battered but getting along slowly. There is tons of rebuilding going on, again, slowly. Don't give up on her though, she's fighting as are her people.

I don't think anyone there is fighting it. As we all know Louisiana has all kinds of religions weaving throughout, most of them Christian, of all denominations and sects. I seriously don't think that they will ever argue that's its wrong.

My Uncle didn't die in that parish and he wasn't Christian, but if someone wants to show that he is remembered with any symbol they choose, to me it's enough that they took the time out to remember and honor his memory. I had candles lit for him in a Catholic Church, had him on prayer lists at Baptist Churches, people of many faiths came and visited us while we were sitting shiva, and had many people of all faiths online praying for him. Why would I care 'how' the message gets there as long as it's sent with a pure heart full of caring? To me that's all this means, a way to show they cared. Would it make a difference if they shared the space with a Magen David and any other symbol of faith they might have been? To me, no, a show of respect is just that and nothing more. Doesn't stand for his religion in this instance.

Couldn't agree with you more, Bhammama. But I think the New Orleans that is coming back, will never be the same as the one that was lost, anymore than Galveston ever rebuilt in the same way after the Storm of 1900. At the same time, the people who are there, and are rebuilding--they do not deserve to be told anything by the ACLU.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Heads-Up

Discovery Channel
Sunday, August 27th @ 9:00PM

"Surviving Katrina"

There should be some great footage assembled by now. I expect it will be an excellent program.

 

[Details]

I hope I was able to make my point to you and anyone else, that as horrific as Katrina was, I would be touched that a group of people cared enough to include my loved one. Another religion's symbols wouldn't change my beliefs, and I guess I feel that non-Christians shouldn't feel as though Christians are "out to get them" at every turn, lol. Especially when it comes to a private group spending their own money and time for a memorial.

Sure - I'd absolutely agree with you - a nice gesture should always be appreciated based on what was intended.

Sometimes though it's an accidental insult - such as how Mormons believe in retroactively converting their deceased relatives to Mormonism - a genuinely generous gesture from their perspective, but something that other relatives and faiths considered insulting and a threat. That was a discussion between the Jewish faith and the Mormons, and since the gesture, however well meant was objected to by the jews, the mormons now avoid converting deceased jewish relatives to mormonism. Good intentions on all sides, but still an accidental insult. Fortunate that they were able to discuss it, see each others point of view, and resolve it.

This occasion - I see nothing wrong with what they are doing. I'm sure if any relative objected, they could not put that name on the memorial. But we don't know what prompted the ACLU to object - could have been a relative objecting. And I've seen it happen other places where people cynically use a memorial to people to push an agenda.

 

[BhamMama]

I do plan on watching. A little surreal as I'll be living there full time by then.

Have tissues ready.

Edited to add,

Tues. August 29, Discovery Times Channel will show
After Katrina focusing on the aftermath of the storm
and Rebuilding New Orleans. 9 pm CST

Heads-Up

Discovery Channel
Sunday, August 27th @ 9:00PM

"Surviving Katrina"

There should be some great footage assembled by now. I expect it will be an excellent program.

 

[windovervocalcords]

St. Bernard Parish is planning to erect an illuminated, stainless steel crucifix bearing the face of Jesus on the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet.

The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet is government property,.... http://www.laaclu.org/News/2006/StBernardChristianMemorialJul2806.htm

Something powerful and wonderful needs to be in this place where the breach occurred and so many died.

If the community is united and feels that they need a memorial in the shape of a cross with the image of Jesus in order to heal, then so be it.

The ACLU ought to drop it.

My question is:
Why does the ACLU letter dated July 28th say the memorial is on government property and suggest it be moved to private property?

 

[BillyGoatGruff]

Everyone doesn't pray to a cross, and the government doesn't have the right to assume that because they like the cross as a religious symbol, as do I personally, that all of these 129 people did. The government has no right to impose religion as a memorial to people who may not have wanted a cross to memorialize their death.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207482,00.html

So I would think cp and dk that some do not feel the cross is a kind and respectful memorial to their loved ones.

Actually, in St. Bernard odds are 99.9 % they were all Catholic, even if they were Vietnamese. And if you're not from there, and didn't lose someone in the storm (which assumes you know what their religious affiliations were, so it's not a crap shoot) then you need to butt out.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Gee, there's a surprise opinion from you, lol. :crazy: So what does that have to do with this specific case? They have stepped over the line and are taking AWAY some people's civil liberties. It's on private property with private donations. They are going too far.

I think that people tend to forget that its "Freedom OF Religeon," NOT freedom FROM religeon.

 

[shopper]

Yeah I saw that, good for him.
I went back and edited the word American from my post, but it's the truth isn't it?
That attitude pretty much sums up the attitude of the United States of America.
Yeah you can all hate me, but that is how you are seen in other countries eyes and quite frankly I'm sick of hearing about how great you think you are.
I'm sick of turning my telly on and seeing GW talking total crap....

Sorry, straight up today.

If you're so sick about how great Americans think we are, you sure do spend a lot of time on this website discussing topics that are happening in America. Why is that, since America or Americans sicken you?

I'm being straight up too.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Yeah I saw that, good for him.
I went back and edited the word American from my post, but it's the truth isn't it?
That attitude pretty much sums up the attitude of the United States of America.
Yeah you can all hate me, but that is how you are seen in other countries eyes and quite frankly I'm sick of hearing about how great you think you are.
I'm sick of turning my telly on and seeing GW talking total crap....

Sorry, straight up today.

How many people died trying to sneak into your country today?

 

[windovervocalcords]

If you're so sick about how great Americans think we are, you sure do spend a lot of time on this website discussing topics that are happening in America. Why is that, since America or Americans sicken you?

I'm being straight up too.

If I'm not mistaken the post is referring to being sick of the BRAGGING about being SO GREAT.

If you folks intended to show the great good will and light heartedness we Americans have to our friend from Australia I may have missed it/

 

[shopper]

If I'm not mistaken the post is referring to being sick of the BRAGGING about being SO GREAT.

If you folks intended to show the great good will and light heartedness we Americans have to our friend from Australia I may have missed it/

I didn't intend to show goodwill to someone who obviously has hostility toward America or Americans. Nor was I bashing her, I asked a simple question and I asked it nicely. I'd like to hear from her what she meant.

 

[curious1]

How many people died trying to sneak into your country today?

hee hee....Nice.

And we have always been very nice to Narlacat. I have enjoyed her observations on other cases, but I have to say that I did take her comments as a bit of an attack on America. I am always puzzled by the folks that come to America or enjoy things that America has to offer only to turn around and bash us, but hey, it's America and you can do that without the secret police knocking on your door so, eh (shrug).

 

[BarnGoddess]

New Orleans isn't gone, it's battered but getting along slowly. There is tons of rebuilding going on, again, slowly. Don't give up on her though, she's fighting as are her people.

I don't think anyone there is fighting it. As we all know Louisiana has all kinds of religions weaving throughout, most of them Christian, of all denominations and sects. I seriously don't think that they will ever argue that's its wrong.

My Uncle didn't die in that parish and he wasn't Christian, but if someone wants to show that he is remembered with any symbol they choose, to me it's enough that they took the time out to remember and honor his memory. I had candles lit for him in a Catholic Church, had him on prayer lists at Baptist Churches, people of many faiths came and visited us while we were sitting shiva, and had many people of all faiths online praying for him. Why would I care 'how' the message gets there as long as it's sent with a pure heart full of caring? To me that's all this means, a way to show they cared. Would it make a difference if they shared the space with a Magen David and any other symbol of faith they might have been? To me, no, a show of respect is just that and nothing more. Doesn't stand for his religion in this instance.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: BhamMama, you are one classy lady.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

hee hee....Nice.

And we have always been very nice to Narlacat. I have enjoyed her observations on other cases, but I have to say that I did take her comments as a bit of an attack on America. I am always puzzled by the folks that come to America or enjoy things that America has to offer only to turn around and bash us, but hey, it's America and you can do that without the secret police knocking on your door so, eh (shrug).

I have nothing against her or anyone else, I just don't see the need people have for saying such negative crap about us. We don't go around talking trash about their countries.

 

[curious1]

I have nothing against her or anyone else, I just don't see the need people have for saying such negative crap about us. We don't go around talking trash about their countries.

Agreed.

 

[southcitymom]

hee hee....Nice.

And we have always been very nice to Narlacat. I have enjoyed her observations on other cases, but I have to say that I did take her comments as a bit of an attack on America. I am always puzzled by the folks that come to America or enjoy things that America has to offer only to turn around and bash us, but hey, it's America and you can do that without the secret police knocking on your door so, eh (shrug).

I think it is helpful and important for us as a nation to hear what other country's citizens think of us - both negative and positive. I don't consider that bashing. Surely, the post that is being referenced is not the first time that we citizens of this great nation have heard, either directly or indirectly, that we are braggarts.

In timeline time, our country is a teenager and teenagers are known for bravado and swagger. They are also known for independence and idealism. I'm okay with that.

 

[narlacat]

If you're so sick about how great Americans think we are, you sure do spend a lot of time on this website discussing topics that are happening in America. Why is that, since America or Americans sicken you?

I'm being straight up too.

I never said America or Americans sicken me, what I said was I'm sick of turning on my telly and seeing GW talking crap....or something like that from memory without scrolling back.
And I'm sorry but yes, GW sickens me.

It pays to keep up with with what's going on in all parts of the world Shopper, you may think this site is all about you, but it's not....many people from many different countries post here.

 

[shopper]

I never said America or Americans sicken me, what I said was I'm sick of turning on my telly and seeing GW talking crap....or something like that from memory without scrolling back.
And I'm sorry but yes, GW sickens me.

It pays to keep up with with what's going on in all parts of the world Shopper, you may think this site is all about you, but it's not....many people from many different countries post here.

Honey, I've never once indicated that I thought this site was all about me.

I was asking you a question based on YOUR opinion, which you stated. Even though you said "you can all hate me", it doesn't surprise me that you got pissy about it.

BTW, I can't stand GWB either.

 

[Masterj]

Actually, in St. Bernard odds are 99.9 % they were all Catholic, even if they were Vietnamese. And if you're not from there, and didn't lose someone in the storm (which assumes you know what their religious affiliations were, so it's not a crap shoot) then you need to butt out.

Wow, that's a friendly response. I'll have to remember that when everyone is debating how to honor 9/11 victims. According to your logic, only those directly involved or impacted are allowed to have an opinion. Nice.

 

[windovervocalcords]

Wow, that's a friendly response. I'll have to remember that when everyone is debating how to honor 9/11 victims. According to your logic, only those directly involved or impacted are allowed to have an opinion. Nice.

Thanks for noticing. And for your openmindedness.