Should the World Trade Center 911 Cross be Declared a National Monument?

Can a country of Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Unitarians, Wiccans, Pagans, Native Americans, Agnostics and atheists view the cross at ground zero as a national symbol?  New Yorkers will soon have to answer that question.

Staten Island Representative Michael Grimm wants to make the World Trade Center cross a national monument and secure a place for it in the September 11 Memorial & Museum. The 17-foot steel beams were found in the basement rubble of 6 World Trade Center and comfort those left behind by the terror attacks.

“This cross is a symbol of hope and freedom for New Yorkers coping with loss and destruction in the aftermath of the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil,” said Grimm.

In July, the American Atheists filed suit to block the cross installation at the 9/11 museum. They say the Christian icon will be the only religious article receiving special accommodation.

“This was an attack against America: not Christianity. Christianity does not deserve special placement just because the girders look like their religious symbol,” Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists, said.

For the past few years, the cross was housed at St. Peter’s Church. In July, it was moved to the museum and has received a ceremonial blessing from Father Brian Jordan.