That Old Rugged Cross
The Cross on the Hill is in the news again. For over two decades this cross has been in dispute in conversations and courts about it's conflict between church and state.
The first cross was erected in 1913 atop Mount Soledad. It was all wood and was stolen in 1923. Later that year it was replaced. The second cross was erected in 1934 made of stucco over wood and it lasted ( while being repaired twice from wind damage) until the current cross was established there in 1954.
In 1987, a suit was filled against the city of San Diego claiming that the cross was unconstitutional. Court case after court case has found that the cross must be removed. The defenders have found ways to keep it by turning the whole top of the mount and cross into a War Memorial. Still the courts say, the cross is unconstitutional as a government endorsement of religion.
In December of 2014, the US Congress approved a sale transferring the land it is on to private ownership. This has been tried before and opponents of the transfer say the transfer to private ownership will never pass legal muster. This poor Old Rugged Cross has been in more courts than criminals leading a life time of crime.
For 25 years this battle has gone on ad nauseum. If you think that this cross should stay, you would be in the majority. The war memorial is really beautiful and serves to remember those that have given their lives to preserve the freedoms that the nay sayers use to their benefit to try and rip this monument from the history of San Diego.
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