An opportunity to demonstrate church and state separation.

[darkstar3]

Read this story, and be sure to notice the kicker of the the man's motivation...
http://www.ksdk.com/news/world/article/244343/28/Man-fights-to-keep-24-foot-tall-lighted-cross-in-his-yard

Afterward, since another thread is currently considering the implications of church and state separation, think about the following: How does this situation provide an opportunity for the town to demonstrate proper application of the separation concept?

(Oh, and feel free to discuss his stated motivation, the possibility of this being vengeance on a neighbor, and the question of whether he would have backing for his case if this were a non-symbolic structure. I just thought the idea of separation was apropos.)

[patrice]

1. It's private property, so it's not separation of church & state, hence the town's only legal concern

is ordinances & building code violations.

[darkstar3]

3. You're right, and yet Behr intends to fight the city on religious grounds,

and there are those who will support him. So how does this present the borough council with an opportunity to properly apply the concept?

[patrice]

5. I am not sure the borough has to do that. Their job is to implement & enforce the ordinances of

the borough, as long as Behr fails to comply with those ordinances, it doesn't matter what he says about religion, because "the state" is not acting one way or another for or against religion. It's acting in support of its own ordinances about structures and would act in the same manner were the structure anything else, not just against crosses, but against anything that was not done according to code.

The fact that it is a cross is only incidental to the government.

I wouldn't even go to the religious issues if I were the borough, because that just opens up a whole bag of stuff that they'd probably lose on. Stick to their legal responsibilities to enforce the agreed upon rules and regulations of the borough and they should win.

[darkstar3]

6. Precisely.

And yet there are certain parties who shall remain unnamed who believe that the free exercise clause should protect Behr. Obviously, you and I agree. The way for this town to properly apply the concept of the separation of church and state is to ignore religion completely.

Something that should be done at all levels of government.

Edit: emphasis.

[patrice]

8. Agree heartily, especially would like to see them get ignored for Tax Exemptions. nt

[patrice]

2. And the guy is the opposite of Jesus, no matter what he claims. He's a mean jerk! nt

[Angry Dragon]

4. He does not go far enough

If he really wanted people to notice, he would nail himself to the cross
That would be in the true christian spirit

[darkstar3]

9. Incidentally, have you ever watched "The Ref"?

There's a funny line about self-nailing in that movie you just reminded me of...

[LAGC]

7. What an obnoxious prick.

Clearly, what he's doing is counter-productive if its not "turning people toward Christ" but rather turning them off to his message.

But I wouldn't have a problem with it if I was his neighbor. We have a poor enough lighting situation on our street as it is, many cars in our neighborhood got burglarized just recently. I say if he wants to waste electricity to light up the street and make it less attractive to burglars, more power to him. If he wants to make a fool out of himself, that's his business.

I can't help but think the city cracking down on his private property is just going to turn him into a martyr.

[darkstar3]

10. I admit I considered the possibility of metaphorical martyrdom,

but I don't think the town has a choice. They have to act, because the structure violates zoning laws, which are in place in residential areas for safety reasons. The structure may not be sound enough to survive natural battery, and should it fall it may endanger others.

[rug]

11. Doesn't sound like he has much support.

I don't suppose you'd like to look out at a 20' neon sculpiure of Dawkins either.

[cleanhippie]

12. Best comment ever: "Considering his past experience, I don't think jesus would appreciate

Seeing a 24 foot cross when he comes back."

Fuck me, that's Brilliant!