Camp Pendleton Cross Privileges Christianity; Marginalizes non-Christians

This cross was put up by Marines who did so as a tribute to their fallen comrades, who shared their Christian belief system. In no way did or do these Marines and their families wish to impose their beliefs on others. However, this cross is extremely meaningful to many Marines who served with the fallen comrades who first erected the cross and their families. Taking it down to be replaced with an EGA would be hurtful to families of these fallen Marines. I would submit that their sacrifice is great enough already and warrants the tolerance of the cross on the part of people of other faiths. Tolerance is a two way street, and the mere presence of the cross as a memorial to fallen Marines of the Christian faith does not equate to the Marine Corps or U.S. military endorsing Christianity as a belief system.

All military bases provide places or worship for the servicemen and women stationed there. These include Protestant, Catholic, Muslim and Jewish houses of worship. Does the mere presence of a church on a military base violate the Constitution? If so then every U.S. military installation violates the principal of church and state. There is a difference between allowing everyone to practice their beliefs freely and not allowing people to practice their beliefs in public.

Further the USMC and military provide chaplains, who themselves are affiliated with their religious belief system, but provide spiritual counsel to servicemen of all beliefs including atheists if they so desire. They do not try to convert servicemen to their belief system, but merely provide moral and spiritual support. A chaplain leading a non-denominational prayer or moment of silence at a unit function is not a violation of a person’s right to self-determine their personal belief system. It is an activity designed to aid service member’s in the burdens they bear as a result of their occupation. If a Sergeant Major led a Christian prayer at a mandatory unit formation, that was an error in judgement. That is contrary to current Marine Corps and U.S. DoD policy. To resolve that situation we do not need new rules or to remove the memorial cross, but rather to enforce the current policy – something I can assure you the Marines are good at. Assuming this incident was brought to the attention of the command, there is a good chance the Sergeant Major was verbally reprimanded and will not make this mistake again.

Contrary to the perception of some, the U.S. military is one of the most equitable egalitarian organizations on Earth. It is one of the few places where on the whole individuals do not self-segregate. Walk into a cafeteria anywhere (college campuses, your place of work, etc…) and one can generally see people congregating with like individuals, whether that be on the basis of race, religion, or some other criteria. A Marine Corps cafeteria is one of the few places where one sees individuals of different races and religions voluntary eating at the same table. These individuals are secure enough in themselves to respect the differences of others and allow them to openly show who they are without feeling this infringes on their own abilities to follow their beliefs. Rank and promotion are based solely on merit, not on relationships, ethnic origin or religious preference.

Further, Marine units have been making treks up this hill to the area where the memorial cross stands for many years, both before and after its erection for a number of reasons. Primarily this is done as a physical training exercise. Additionally, commanders like to use a unit trek to the top of this hill as a bonding and moral building exercise. It is an arduous hike/run that tests the unit both mentally and physically. It has nothing to do with the endorsement of Christianity. The cross represents the memory of the servicemen who have died in service of their country. Marines of all faiths (and atheists) recognize the cross as a reminder of this sacrifice. They respect the fact that the Marines that erected the cross happen to be Christian and as such it is an appropriate memorial to them.

The fact this cross was erected by some of the very Marines who later gave the ultimate sacrifice makes its replacement by a different monument unsatisfying to the families and friends of these Marines. I would ask that you be tolerant of their wishes, just as they are of your right to freely practice your belief system.

Does the cross on a USMC base make you feel outside the pale? Too bad. You are. Keep your grubby fingers off of my rights and beliefs and I’ll ignore yours. That’s the civilized way. Force your beliefs on others and you will face a rebuttal that will shock your tender ears. This was a Godly country founded by Godly men, though of no particularly uniformity of religious belief. But belief they had, just read their words. You find my beliefs offensive? Sorry; I find yours ludicrous. Just take a walk outside at night and view the enormity of the universe and tell yourself it all happened by accident.

The cross is an impromptu ‘tree of death’ to which the Roman centurions nailed a sissy-boy. I can think of any number of more appropriate memorials.

Oh dear, did you get a peanut stuck under your caps lock key?

I deal with issues similar to this on a daily basis in my role as Veterans Coordinator for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. V.A. facilities across the Country almost routinely place religious symbols – typically crosses – in public areas in direct violation of Department of Veterans Affairs policies. When confronted, most administrators work diligently to remove such religious symbols (although they may of course be utilized during religious services in the chapel, though they must be taken down afterward to keep the chapel facilities religion neutral when services are not being conducted); however, I have noticed that administrators of V.A. facilities that are connected to and receive support from private, religious teaching hospitals (like the one in Loma Linda, California) have become more intransigent lately, and in at least one case the administration of the V.A. Medical Center has dealt with the onslaught of complaints by adopting a policy of no longer accepting complaints. I too hear all too often from administrative personnel that they can’t understand why this is such a big issue; however, like the author, it is my assertion that clearly it is a big issue because it seems the Fundamentalist Christians will go to any lengths to foist their religious symbols on everyone, and afterward will fight like hell to keep them there – their conduct regarding the symbols alone demonstrates clearly that it is a big issue. I would like to make one last point – frequently Christians blame atheists and freethinkers (whom they like to call either “godless” or “secular humanists”) for causing all the hoopla regarding religious symbols and monuments; however, as a religious Jew I can tell you from my own experience that the majority of Orthodox Jews will not enter a room with a cross displayed – to religious Jews it is considered both a pagan symbol and an “idol.” In my own experience I encountered a serious problem when I moved to Iowa several years back and was told I couldn’t access services until I attended an orientation class which was held in the chapel of the Iowa City V.A. Medical Center, which was, in direct violation of V.A. directive, permanently decorated with the Stations of the Cross and a large crucifix. When I refused to enter the chapel and tried to explain why, I was berated and threatened. Unfortunately, this began a long and ugly period of religious predation, harassment, discrimination and ultimately denial of care that was only rectified following an investigation by the national office, which in turn happened only because of the direct involvement of Mikey Weinstein and the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. It goes without saying that advocacy organizations like the MRFF and the MAAF are essential to protecting the civil rights of our service men and women and veterans. I urge you all to support the MAAF in any way possible, joining with them in advocating for and protecting the rights of those who sacrifice so much to protect our rights.

Christians are entitled to ‘rights’ too!
What gives atheists the ‘right’ to take away the ‘rights’ of Christians?

i call it ‘double speak’!

Apart from anything else, the cross, a.k.a. crucifix, is obnoxious in that it symbolises an abominable form of capital punishment. The Protestant distinction, the cross with the body gone, symbolises resurrection in spite of death, but that’s a highly suspect doctrine too.

Do we (and if we do , should we) permit even secular organizations to advertise their sacred symbols on federal military bases?

Nazi Germany had a concordat with the Pope of Rome, and it seems that our most dangerous enemies, like the lunatics who flew aircraft at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, also say “In God We Trust”. If our military is genuinely interested in Peace, let them eschew all indications that they espouse any dogmatic religion.