Atheist group fights Camp Pendleton Cross

Three Marines climbed a hill one day carrying a cross as a memorial to fallen Marines, and then died in service to this country. This very country where the freedom of the people to worship as they choose has been protected because people like these Marines were willing to defend them. Now their right to put a cross on a hill is being challenged?

It has stunned me since this became an issue that some people feel threatened by a cross. It is not as if they are being forced to go and kneel at the cross. All this really means is they have to look at it if they are in the area but are still free to turn away from it.

I have defended atheists before since God gave all mankind the right to worship of their own freewill. They have the same rights everyone else in this country has but they should not have the right to stop someone else from enjoying that same right. I do not believe in any military group or brass telling the men and women serving they have to attend religious events or convert in order to receive spiritual help. I do not believe in forcing anyone to do anything and this includes people wanting to put up a symbol of sacrifice, that has always been allowed in this country, being forced to take it down.

They were willing to die for the sake of others. In this case, three of the Marines responsible for putting up the cross, did die. How does a cross harm atheists? Is there a sign on it that says they are not welcome there or that it is for Christians only? Does it really harm them to know the cross is there? Wouldn't they have to show how they have been harmed to have this cross there? What is wrong with them? If they cannot acknowledge the fact that other people find comfort looking at a cross then what does this say about them? Why would anyone want to take away someone else's right at the same time they claim to be fighting for their own?

Marines fight to protect crosses at Camp Pendleton as atheist groups seek removal
By Adam Housley
Published April 12, 2012
FoxNews.com

Planted atop a remote hill in the middle of California's Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base rests two 13-foot crosses.

Originally erected back in 2003 by seven Marines grieving over lives lost in the war on terror, this site originally established for reflection has now become grounds for controversy.

“It's not a religious spot at all, it's a place for the Marines to grieve and to grow to let go of their burdens of what they had in their soul, so they can go back down that hill and back into battle and put their own lives on the line,” says Marine widow Karen Mendoza.

Her husband Ray was one of those original seven who climbed the hill that day, three of whom have since been killed in action, including Ray.

“It's a symbol of sacrifice regardless of what you think, pray, like or don't like,” says Karen.
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