Your reasons to keep, and to remove, 'religious' display of soldier at cross

ROSELLE — If it gets that far, a court could ultimately decide whether a display of a soldier nearing before a cross at a public library is an unconstitutional violation of the separation between church and state.

But in New Jersey 101.5's informal poll via Twitter, an overwhelming number of respondents said the display should be left as it is. Of the 284 who'd voted as of mid-Sunday afternoon, 90 percent favored leaving the display in place.

"I believe that people need to mind their own businesses,"Chelsea Schillace wrote on New Jersey 101.5's Facebook page. "People always seem to stick their nose where it doesn't belong."

But, Christina Asch countered: "The public library is the business of the public."

And that's the heart of the dispute. The secular American Humanist Association argues in a letter to Roselle Park’s display is a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing a state religion and is the basis for what’s commonly referred to as the separation of church and state.

The association wrote its letter — saying Roselle Park could expose itself to a civil rights lawsuit — at the urging of resident Gregory D. Storey. Storey is the husband of Councilwoman Charlene Storey — who temporarily resigned over the Union County borough's decision to celebrate its annual “Tree Lighting” specifically as a “Christmas Tree Lighting.”

If the display were at a private home or business, the association (and the Storeys) wouldn't have a point to argue. But they say, the public has a right demand religion-neutral use of public facilities.

"There's no law stopping a church or a private citizen from displaying that on their lawn, but religious symbols, be it a cross, or a Star of David, or the Crescent Moon and Star, have no place on municipal/government property," Raymond Kevin Bassford wrote on New Jesey 101.5's Facebook page. "I venture to say if it was a soldier kneeling before a Crescent Moon and Star (the symbol of Islam) this conversation might be quite different."

Sandra Tuckman agreed: "Exactly — and how can that cross *not* symbolize religion?"

But the matter was far from settled among members of the New Jersey 101.5 audience.

"We have far more important issues to deal with like poverty, drug abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, etc," Neelima Serejo Furtado wrote" Not at all! Leave it as it is! Let's channel our resources and energy in eradicating these. The soldier with the cross shouldn't bother anyone!

"If this continues, soon we will have laws where we won't be allowed to wear a cross in our necklace/chain because it might hurt the sentiments of someone who happens to look at our neck!"

And for many, the cross — though typically associated with Christianity — shouldn't be seen as religious in the context of the display at all.

"It's not a religious sign it's about the loss of a fellow solider and the grief of one of his brothers," Mark Hyer wrote. "Nowadays you can't do or say anything without hurting someone's feelings or getting sued. Little by little all of our rights are being taken away from us."

I'm atheist, and see absolutely nothing wrong with the display," Mimi Johnston wrote. "It's true honor and grief being expressed and very touching."