150-Foot Cross

[Mahatma]

Earlier on this year, I was reading the newspaper and saw an article about a 150-Foot cross that was to be built along side the highway to promote some church (oh and Christianity too). I can not remember the figure for the cost, but it was in the tens of millions.

 

No longer was it an issue about whether or not they had permission to build it, it was just telling about when it was going to be built. When did I get my say on whether or not I wanted to see a gaudy cross every day that I am on the high way? Now that the Christians can do this, what is next? A giant star of David? I wouldn't mind a nice 200 ft Buddha.

 

Why must people show off their religion and stuff it in the face of others? How come they are spending so much money on this pointless cross? The money could go to literally hundreds of better things. When people were making their donations, were they told that it was going to a giant cross alongside the highway?

[Adri Ana]

Earlier on this year, I was reading the newspaper and saw an article about a 150-Foot cross that was to be built along side the highway to promote some church (oh and Christianity too). I can not remember the figure for the cost, but it was in the tens of millions.

 

No longer was it an issue about whether or not they had permission to build it, it was just telling about when it was going to be built. When did I get my say on whether or not I wanted to see a gaudy cross every day that I am on the high way? Now that the Christians can do this, what is next? A giant star of David? I wouldn't mind a nice 200 ft Buddha.

 

Why must people show off their religion and stuff it in the face of others? How come they are spending so much money on this pointless cross? The money could go to literally hundreds of better things. When people were making their donations, were they told that it was going to a giant cross alongside the highway?

 

 

The building firm that will build the Cross will put "some left a bit aside" money from the donations to its owners` pockets ..

Just a donation to the firm owners ..

so cute..

 

 

____________

I agree with you,Mahatma . But it`s the way .It`s the style . It`s the life .

 

At least its better to spend it on a Cross than on purchasing narcotics for teenagers ... Lets be optimistic . What else left ?

[motive2002]

When did I get my say on whether or not I wanted to see a huge billboard with bikini clad bimbos selling lite beer every time I go down the highway?

 

If you feel so oppressed with freedom of religion, try living in another country. I wouldn't mind a 200 ft buddha either, even though I'm not buddhist.

 

I don't disagree that the money could have been spent on something more useful, but I'm sure they are well within their rights as an American.

Part of any religion's gospel is to spread the word.

[quankanne]

while you're well within your rights to squawk, no one is forcing you to look at it – you can close your eyes, you can ignore it, you can check your cell phone or blackberry for emails or text messages as you drive it.

 

my personal thought is that when one is personally secure in his/her faith belief system, these things don't bug them because they realize it's how others have found a way to be in touch with the divine. You know, live and let live.

[Geishawhelk]

They do exist, you know.....

 

Here's one you can

:

[norajane]

At the very top of Mt. Davidson, the highest peak in the city of San Francisco, there's a giant cross. It was privately-owned land when the first (much smaller) cross was built up there, but eventually, the City of SF bought the land, including the rest of Mt. Davidson park.

 

There were several crosses over time, as they were burned down by arsonists. The final cross, made of concrete and steel, is 103 ft. tall.

 

I believe that small bit of land the cross stands on was auctioned off by the City in 1991 following a lawsuit about separation of church and state, and is now owned by an Armenian Council, and the cross now represents a memorial to the 1.5 million Armenians massacred by the Turks in 1915 (WW1).

 

It is surrounded by the trees on the hill, so it's not easily visible unless you look for it, but you can actually see it from miles away.

 

I used to live near one of the the entrances to the walking trails on Mt. Davidson, but never knew it was there until I hiked to the top. It's quite imposing and so odd to see it there in the middle of nowhere, really. Great view from the top of the hill, though.

[Mahatma]

I agree that we all have the freedom to do this, however I still do not think it is right. Just because the law allows it does not mean it should be done.

 

I would never advocate a 200 ft Buddha. I would love to see it, but would not expect the rest of society to bare witness because I liked it.

[Mahatma]

you can close your eyes...check your cell phone

 

 

Close my eyes? and don't even get me started on cellphones while driving.

 

 

shoot... meant to edit that into the post above this one, sorry for double post...

[taiko]

I agree that we all have the freedom to do this, however I still do not think it is right. Just because the law allows it does not mean it should be done.

 

I would never advocate a 200 ft Buddha. I would love to see it, but would not expect the rest of society to bare witness because I liked it.

 

I do recall a government dealing with giant Buddha's by shouting them with anti-tank missles. It was an early symptom of why the world supported the US in taking that government out.

[disgracian]

while you're well within your rights to squawk, no one is forcing you to look at it – you can close your eyes, you can ignore it, you can check your cell phone or blackberry for emails or text messages as you drive it.

Close your eyes or check your phone? That's not very sound advice for somebody travelling on a highway.

 

My personal belief is that it is yet another example of a very common form of idolatry practised by Christianity. It's inconsiderate of others, obnoxious, and contrary to how they are told to live their lives in their own holy book.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Posco_Proudfoot]

Just because the law allows it does not mean it should be done.

I lol'd at that sentence.

[Mahatma]

Close your eyes or check your phone? That's not very sound advice for somebody travelling on a highway.

 

My personal belief is that it is yet another example of a very common form of idolatry practised by Christianity. It's inconsiderate of others, obnoxious, and contrary to how they are told to live their lives in their own holy book.

 

Cheers,

D.

 

Yes yes yes! This is why I would not support any giant Buddhas being built, even though I would like to have one. I do not need to push my beliefs on other people and do not think anyone should.

[Eve]

Maybe the money could have been spent on something else more helpful to needy people? .. or something but then again the Gospel does say that Jesus did not mind his feet being washed with expensive perfume. So, I guess that what is behind the intent is what matters.

 

Personally, I have been more offended by my local council erecting a strange looking sculpure thing right smack in the middle on our market place - to the cost of £40.000. Especially when I could make something simular for £9.50!

 

... but art is art.. Look at the big Jesus statue, with his arms open on Sugar Loaf mountain in Brazil. That is an amazing sight. What of The Staue of liberty? Tourism and a sense of awe comes at a cost I suppose. Being somewhat of a grinch I know I could probably remake all of the above at a fraction of the cost but the inherent beauty is what counts.

 

Regards,

Eve xx

[disgracian]

Maybe?

 

Cheers,

D.

[LucreziaBorgia]

I wonder how many homeless, out of work, or otherwise disadvantaged people could be fed and sheltered with the amount of money that will be wasted on building a giant promotional cross?

 

Wouldn't the message be gotten across better by putting into action rather than building a giant idol to it? I sometimes think that various people in religions get so caught up in the objects that they forget what they are supposed to represent.

[Posco_Proudfoot]

I wonder how many homeless, out of work, or otherwise disadvantaged people could be fed and sheltered with the amount of money that will be wasted on building a giant promotional cross?

 

Wouldn't the message be gotten across better by putting into action rather than building a giant idol to it? I sometimes think that various people in religions get so caught up in the objects that they forget what they are supposed to represent.

That's a complaint a lot of people have without knowing what a church is actually doing. In other words, a church could say "Should be build this recreation center for children or feed the homeless". "Should we build a big cross to try and change people's lives and feel inspired, or should we devote all of it to people's children whose cannot feed themselves".

 

Truth is most churches are already doing those humanitarian things. But it's easy to see the country club stigma some could get from it.

[The Collector]

Businesses have to advertise.

[Mahatma]

Businesses have to advertise.

 

 

That is the way I see it. They are not helping anything except themselves with this cross.

 

Does seeing a cross on the highway make you want to convert? All it does it turn me off.

[Posco_Proudfoot]

That is the way I see it. They are not helping anything except themselves with this cross.

 

Does seeing a cross on the highway make you want to convert? All it does it turn me off.

But it can inspire others. Each person takes what they need and ignore the rest. It doesn't make sense to me for someone to worship a fat bald guy that is suppose to inspire moderation, but I ignore it knowing the world is not about me.

[disgracian]

How exactly would a useless, oversized monument inspire others? To pursue a career in architecture maybe? If you want proper inspiration towards something greater than yourself, look to nature or help others. Building giant crosses is entirely without merit.

 

Also for your information, Buddha never asked to be worshipped and in fact admonished such behaviour.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Posco_Proudfoot]

How exactly would a useless, oversized monument inspire others?

Google "big cross texas" and read what people said.

[disgracian]

I'm not answering the question for you. Provide some examples of what you're talking about please.

 

Cheers,

D.

[Posco_Proudfoot]

I'm not answering the question for you. Provide some examples of what you're talking about please.

 

Cheers,

D.

It gives people inspiration.

 

Cheers.

[Mahatma]

Google "big cross texas" and read what people said.

 

 

This is not the same cross I was speaking about, however it is very similar.

 

The only people this cross is "inspiring" are people who already are inspired by Christianity.

[disgracian]

It gives people inspiration.

So your answer to "How does it inspire people?" is essentially "Because it inspires people". What a complete waste of a post.

 

Cheers,

D.