Mt. Soledad memorial cross is prohibited endorsement of religion, federal court says

This is both an embarrassment and a disgrace. In a country based on freedom of speech and religion, a cross is unconstitutional? Insanity.

The Mount Soledad Memorial Cross is unconstitutional because it conveys the message of “state-endorsed religion,” a federal appeals court ruled on Jan. 4.

The 29-foot cross, located in a San Diego public park near the suburb of La Jolla, was dedicated in 1954 to honor veterans of the Korean War.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ unanimous ruling said the decision was in no way “meant to undermine the importance of honoring our veterans.”

"Indeed, there are countless ways that we can and should honor them, but without the imprimatur of state-endorsed religion."

The court said modifications could be made to render the cross constitutional, but it did not specify those changes.

Joe Infranco, senior counsel of the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, criticized the ruling.

“It's tragic that the court chose a twisted and tired interpretation of the First Amendment over the common sense idea that the families of fallen American troops should be allowed to honor these heroes as they choose,” he said.

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