Controversial roadside crosses; religious symbols or symbol of death?

"...A federal appeals court is weighing Utah's use of crosses on roadside memorials honoring fallen highway patrol troopers, trying to decide if they are an endorsement of religion or a nonreligious, secular symbol of death.

A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Monday in the case involving what the group American Atheists called "heroic-size" 12-foot-high crosses placed along state highways...."


"...Luke Goodrich, an attorney with The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, argued on behalf of Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas, which asked to argue because the case could affect memorials in their states. Goodrich asked the judges to decide the case not on the religiousness of crosses, but on whether the state provides a neutral forum for expression. A joint resolution by the Utah Legislature in 2006 declared the cross a nonreligious, secular symbol of death, Roberts said...."

This story appeared in headlines in several states. I would have never imagined that the cross was a mere symbol of death. Nevermind the foundations of the US based on religious freedom that primarily excludes itself from state affairs or when it does become inclusive, it is controversial. Now there is a judge deciding whether or not the cross is religious?

See news story URL

FLORIDA, LONDON, ZIMBABWEI, SOUTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS, ALASKA

FLORIDA, LONDON, ZIMBABWEI, SOUTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA, ILLINOIS, ALASKA
Today's Cemetery Genealogy News
March 7, 2009

Mortal congestion

Today's Cemetery Genealogy News
NEBRASKA, CANADA, NEVADA, ILLINOIS, JAKARTA, INDIA, OHIO

"In truth, if mortal congestion doesn't get you tossed from your mummy chamber, erosion, acts of God and global warming just might." - Rosie DiManno.

Burial space on my list of worries TheStar.com, Rosie DiManno.

The whole statement made me laugh. "Mortal congestion..."

ALASKA, OHIO, INDIA, NORTH CAROLINA,LOUISIANA, PENNSYLVANIA,TEXAS,THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

ALASKA, OHIO, INDIA, NORTH CAROLINA,LOUISIANA, PENNSYLVANIA,TEXAS,THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
Todays Cemetery Genealogy News.

There is one article that didn't make the list that I'd like to share.

Bodies pile up due to cold snap. Deadly cold snap has led to month's delay in funerals
Grieving families are being forced to wait more than a month to bury their dead as Britain struggles to cope with the worst winter in 13 years.

Full Story:
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/article-1140322/Deadly-cold-snap-led-months-delay-funerals.html

10 February 2009
www.dailymail.co.uk


In other odd bits of news a Canadian online newspaper published a list of 10 world famous cemeteries. Two of which happen to be in the United States.

Alabama, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Yorkshire UK

More about Mississippi's Vicksburg Green Acres

"..the investigation now spans the owners’ holdings in five states, which
complicates efforts to obtain financial information..."

AND

"the same company that owns Green Acres has been the subject of several similar legal actions in Alabama, Texas, Kansas and Missouri, with $2.9 million in prepaid funds missing from its Alabama holdings alone. Hosemann’s office said a months-long inquiry showed more than $373,000 is missing from the trust account here and the account balance is $221.90.The 15-acre cemetery on U.S. 80 is the area’s only commercial, for-profit cemetery..."

More from the list