' Mojave Cross' - A Religious Symbol

An article by Warren Richey, Staff writer / April 28, 2010 of Christian Science Monitor, re-ignites my insatiable appetite for the meaning of symbols in our society. We are consumed by the value of Christian "props" than the Christian walk! We have become a nation of symbols but our walk does not reflect the Christ in these symbols. Our walk reflects a power struggle, to prove a point, and to force one another to have same beliefs.

Christians all over the world revere the cross, as Jesus Christ, "after carrying the cross was nailed to it as a way to show the world that He was the son of God." The 'Mojave Cross' has been standing in place since 1934, erected to honor fallen heroes. So one wonders what was in the mind of the war veterans when they erected the cross on Sunrise Rock. Some may say that it is just a cross, but some would beg to differ as symbolism helps them stay focused on what they are passionate about. Those who say it is just a cross, would also be right as not only Christians were fallen heroes, so if indeed the cross represents a certain religion, then this symbol is in- appropriate.

The government did not have enough courage to pull down the cross, so a decision was made to sell the land occupied by the cross to private owners. It appears the government is two faced, and plays a game called do as I say and not as I do. The government finds itself between a rock and a hard place, as this violets the separation of church and state.

The cross remains covered, but lives of those who believe in the cross go on, so it does not seems to matter whether the cross is standing or not, but it is a comfort to those who lost their loved ones in foreign wars. Call it a war memorial cross or anything you wish, but in the eyes of many it should just be a symbol of peace and sacrifice.

This messy fight has nothing to do with Christianity, or religion. Christians do not need a cross to define their relationship with God. Since the cross has been in place for 75 years, and nothing catastrophic happened, it should be left alone. This would also show our respect and appreciation for the war veterans who erected and maintain the memorial.