Chicago officials approve 19-foot cross for Daley Plaza

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CHICAGO (AP) -- A 19-foot cedar cross commemorating the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ will stand in the heart of the city's downtown starting on Good Friday, just months after city officials said they didn't want to offend non-Christians at a holiday fair held in the same location.

City officials approved a permit Wednesday for the cross, which will remain in Daley Plaza for a sunrise prayer service on Easter Sunday. snip

While proponents of the Easter service and cross said the moves were about religious freedom, at least one non-Christian religious leader disagreed.

"We separate church and state in this country for good reason, and to me this crosses the line," said Emily Soloff, executive director of the American Jewish Committee's Chicago chapter.

as long as they make everyone watch that Mel Gibson movie, and nail up an Easter Bunny, I'm cool with it.

" If Jesus had been killed 20 years ago, Catholic school children would be wearing little Electric Chairs around their necks instead of crosses."

and telling them to stuff it is not a way to practice one's faith.

Also, stirring up anger at your religion is not wise.

Fundies have so much to answer for.

Or does it have to be burning and if so what are the odds?

half Jewish/half Christian. A couple of months ago there was a big controversy over an "eruv." I had never heard of this, but apparently it's a way to create a larger public domain for observant Jews on the Sabbath. It involves stringing fishing line on utility poles as a way to define a boundary.

Apparently the Jewish group which put up the eruv did so without informing the community what they were doing and one day all this fishing wire appeared overhead. Within days, two birds flew into it. Predictably, pro and con letters began appearing in the local paper. The one which I thought made the most sense was written by a Jewish man who said he felt those who had put up the eruv hadn't been sensitive to the greater community of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and all others who make this area home.

The eruv came down because apparently the three local communities it affected hadn't sanctioned it. I have mixed feelings about this because I strongly believe people ought to be able to practice their faith, but when expressions of faith make their way into the public domain, well, I find that troubling.

As for the cross in Chicago, it ought to be on church property.

no shortage of church property in Chicago near where the cross is going. It's not like downtown is some giant business park. I've never understood the need for a cross or a creche or whatever on public property when you can walk one block down the street in any direction to Saint This or Holy That and get your fill.