Mojave Madness

I'm not sure, but I think there is an endurance motor race through the Mojave Desert called Mojave Madness. The madness of a bunch of bikers looking for some extreme fun is nothing compared to the supreme court battle raging over a memorial cross erected by and for war veterans in a national park.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/6266291/Mojave-Cross-memorial-to-WWI-dead-violates-first-amendment

Some "bright spark" is suing for the removal of the cross because it is offensive to war veterans of other faiths and it violates the separation of church and state. As a result, the cross has been boxed like an IKEA flat-pack until the court case is over and a decision is made. Hah! This is what made America great!

I understand the first amendment. I think it is a critical part of making America's the best form of government on the planet. By the way, being better than other methods of government does not mean we have a perfect system of government!

Nevertheless, I think that many right wing conservative Christians are wasting their breath trying to argue for a Christian State and Christianity as the state sponsored religion, (or is it Church sponsored State? I dunno.) The fact is, every national population will consist of a percentage of people that don't believe that Jesus is Lord and Saviour. Those people must be governed with justice and be given their human and civil rights to prevent human authorities from inevitably exploiting the weak and limiting the liberty of the ignorant or the minorities.

Having said that, I have seen crosses across the South African landscape. They are serene, sometimes stirring reminders of the pioneering spirit that established a form of civilization in the wilderness. They are expressions of the devotion, trust and dependence on God that enabled some of our predecessors to endure hardship.

It is important to note that these crosses, just like the one in the Mojave desert, are not critical to the mission of the church or the advancement of the Christian cause. One can again argue whether the cross is the best symbol to serve the message of God's love. If Jesus had been hanged instead of crucified, would we be arguing about a "gallows and noose" on a rocky outcrop?

My point is that I think that the agenda to strip this nation of all physical reminders of an undeniable Christian heritage is pathetic. I can only imagine how a traveller or a tourist would ridicule at the current sight of what must look like a confused apology for the passionate determination of a God-fearing veteran who wanted to remember and celebrate the faith of his peers that endured the fire of war.

So the Buddhist couldn't erect their own monument nearby? Hey, as religions go, I think Buddhism is a very virtuous, peace-loving faith system. But was America built on it's principles? Did countless American soldiers find comfort and strength in Buddha as they shivered in the trenches of war? Do Buddhists even believe in war? C'mon people! Get real.

Having said all that, I think we can either leave the cross alone or sadly, take it down. Whatever satisfies the wisdom of the court. But will someone PLEASE get rid of the IKEA lollipop!