The Bush White House is hardly known for its hostility towards religion. Yet, with the president’s inauguration coming up, Bush is under criticism from some of his far-right friends for approving a ban on crosses at the event.
If you plan to attend President Bush’s inaugural parade Jan. 20, don’t pack those firearms, laser pointers, folding chairs or crosses. To the dismay of some religious groups, the Christian cross is among the items banned in a Dec. 17 Secret Service memo to the National Park Service.
Not surprisingly, the cross-banning policy has enraged at least the loonier part of Bush’s base.
The Christian Defense Coalition will go to federal court and seek injunctive relief if the Secret Service does not publicly lift the prohibition on the public display of crosses at the Presidential Inauguration Parade.
In a letter sent to the Secret Service the group states, “No justification exists for categorical exclusions of crosses from the Inaugural Parade route.” And, “…immediately redraft the definition of structures to eliminate a categorical ban on crosses.”
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states, “By banning the public display of crosses at the Presidential Inauguration Parade, the Secret Service has trampled the First Amendment and crushed religious freedom in the public square. They have also shown a disregard for the religious beliefs and sensibilities of millions of Americans. If the Secret Service does not publicly lift this prohibition, our letter makes it clear we are prepared to go into federal court to resolve this matter. This marks the first time a federal law enforcement agency has banned crosses from a public event and expressed the view that crosses could somehow be used as a weapon.”
So, an evangelical, born-again president is under fire from a nutty evangelical group for banning crosses at a public event. I never thought I’d see the day.