Reply #64: Are all the fallen officers christian?

[Righteous9]

In this climate, my first impression is that we should pick our battles better. In spirit, the crosses bother me no more than "in God we Trust" on our currency, and if the family members want this cross on their loved one's memorial, I have no problem with the religious symbolism. Cross's on public land commemorating dead police officers feels pretty inoccuous to me, again, if the family wants that.

But that does bring me to my big problem with these crosses. More of concern than alienating the minority public, aren't they somewhat alienating to the police officers who don't happen to be christian? Why is this the only symbol being erected to the police officers? Are their families being asked whether they would like a star of david or or something more beholden to their particular beliefs? This may be a moot point in Utah. I'm not sure how many police officers in that state aren't christian, but there must be some. It seems like a lack of respect for the officers who serve their communities, if they don't take such differences into account.

And if they asked the family what symbol they would like, wouldn't that circumvent any statute saying that congress shall pass no law respecting the establishment of a religion? It isn't mandating crosses at that point, while families may still pick them.