SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, February 1, 2009: Secularizing the central symbol of Christianity is the newest tactic to preserve government displays of the cross and America’s “Christian heritage.” Americans United is trying to counter that legal movement, and hopes to stop it, beginning in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals when the court hears the Mt. Soledad case. Fifty-five years ago, a 43-foot Latin cross was dedicated to “Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” during a religious ceremony on Mt. Soledad in San Diego. The cross, which stands on public land, serves as the government’s chosen symbol to honor deceased military veterans for their service. Vietnam veteran Rich Gillock says, “The country that I took an oath to preserve, protect and defend did not demand religious conformity from everyone. This cross as a memorial doesn’t really line up with what we believe in this country, which is that we are free to practice whatever religion we choose and the government should not have anything to do with it. I don’t even see it as truly a veterans’ memorial,” he continued. “There are a lot of veterans who are not Christian.” According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 29 percent of those currently serving in the U.S. military are not Christian.
Americans United filed a friend-of-the-court brief on Jan. 14 arguing that the Mt. Soledad cross is unconstitutional and an inappropriate memorial for veterans in a religiously diverse nation. Joining Americans United on the brief are Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America; Interfaith Alliance; Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers; Military Religious Freedom Foundation; Progressive Christians Uniting; and the Unitarian Universalist Association.Americans United and its allies are hopeful that the 9th Circuit can finally put this 20-year controversy to rest. “This is a time when American soldiers of all faiths and of no faith – Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Wiccans, atheists, and agnostics – are giving up their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan for their country,” said Luchenitser. “The government should recognize their sacrifices in a manner that honors fallen soldiers of all faiths and beliefs about religion, instead of commemorating only those of the Christian religion.”