The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF) -- a group whose mission is to provide a supportive community for nontheistic service members, educate military leaders about nontheism and to resolve insensitive practices that illegally promote religion or unethically discriminate against nontheism – has recently objected to a 13-foot cross known as the 'Pendleton Cross' that was installed without the consent of Camp Pendleton officials. MAAF president Jason Torpy commented specifically for this article noting various problems with the 'Pendleton Cross.'
Torpy notes that a Christian cross constitutes government endorsement of religion and should not be on public land because it is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution. Additionally, Torpy notes that this Christian cross is an inappropriate memorial for everyone because the cross does not represent everyone. “The cross isn't a symbol for me and the hundreds of atheists in foxholes and other non-Christians in the military,” Torpy says.
Christians are getting special privileges, Torpy says, when they can erect symbols while other symbols would obviously not be allowed. Torpy explains, “If this were a Muslim symbol, there would be no argument. It wouldn't have even been up there in the first place.”
As an alternative to a sectarian cross which represents a portion of military personnel, Torpy recommends an inclusive symbol. MAAF suggests, in a blog post, that “Replacing the cross with an Eagle-Globe-and-Anchor, Flag, or Plaque would provide for a proper Marine Corps memorial and eliminate the sectarian bias.”
The MAAF blog also mentions other issues surrounding the cross: “whole units have been marched up to the cross by their commanders. Two videos show a long hike to install the cross and one unit commander inviting his Sergeant Major to give a Christian prayer to a mandatory formation under this cross.”
While some critics might believe that issues like those of the 'Pendelton Cross' are not important, MAAF begs to differ. The MAAF blog post notes, “In order to ensure equal rights for all service members, including atheists and humanists, we must oppose the “Christian military” message that this cross represents.”
Torpy laments that issues like this must be addressed because more focus can be had “on the positives” such as outreach, networking and education, but he notes that persons should not just 'look away' from the 'Pendleton Cross' when there is no legal basis for this cross to remain standing.
Torpy says that he respects the loss of service members and would like to see memorials for fallen soldiers, but a cross is simply not an appropriate symbol to represent everyone. The MAAF blog says, “It is because of this respect that we stand up to oppose the placement of a Christian symbol that co-opts patriotism and valor to promote personal religious perspectives.”
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