I read this "story" on Facebook, and I can't help but want to comment. But I know I'll get shouted down and threatened by Christians if I do, so I'm taking what I can here.
The story is of a veteran who apparently was so offended that a memorial on public land had to remove the holy symbol of his religion (to conform to the separation of church and state in the constitution) that heâs taken it upon himself to stand vigil on the spot with a Cross, a flag, a sign that says âGOD BLESS Americaâ in order to do what he feels is right.  Heâs also placed a golden chain with a cross around the silhouette of the grieving soldier statue.
On Facebook, as of my typing, there are 450+ comments (being moderated, naturally) saying âGod Bless youâ, âGod protect youâ and âYou are doing Gods work.â  And the few disenting posts are met with anger and vitriol. âWhy does it bother you so much what religion is displayed? No one is disputing what our Veterans have fought for.â being one of the most tame responses.
One person even posted an âofficial listâ of religions declared by active soldiers to prove Christians are #1, and therefore should be on this memorial. Â âYouâd think other religions would be out there too!â they said. Â So Iâll ask the hard question here thatâs just begging for an answer.
What if this man was holding up a Star of David at this memorial? What if he was a Muslim holding up a large Quran? What if he was ANY OTHER RELIGION other than Christian, and wrapped his holy symbol around a veterans memorial and held up the symbol in front of it? Would these people celebrate him? Would they pat him on the back and say "good job standing up for what's right"?
Does placing your holy symbol on a symbol of fallen soldiers honor the fallen Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Atheists, Buddhists and any other religion that has fought for, and died for, the freedom to practice a faith they did not? Does it not slap others in the face by saying "JESUS OR GTFO!"?
Or should we just call it what it is, grandstanding for personal gain and attention and NOT to glorify "The Father". Matthew 6:5 - 6 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you"
For anyone who is Christian and read this far, thank you first of all, but second youâre not being persecuted. Â Youâre just being asked to either allow everyone a fair voice (IE : Not beating the living crap out of someone or doxing them or threatening them for speaking up), or to have none. Â And unless youâre prepared to have literally THOUSANDS of holy symbols littering a park so we can all be included, none is the best default answer.