WASHINGTON--Supporters of the Mojave Cross, which honors military veterans, are buoyed by the oral arguments heard in the U.S. Supreme Court which must decide if it violates the separation of church and state.

Congress transferred ownership of an acre of land in the Mojave National Preserve where the cross stands to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The ACLU argues that the cross’ mere existence makes it unconstitutional.

Two of the justices questioned why the transfer of the land to private ownership did not resolve the issue of government establishment of religion.

Justice Antonin Scalia declared it was an “outrageous conclusion” that a memorial cross could not be considered to honor all veterans. (INT)

Story Date: October 12, 2009