By Garrett Haley
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Several churches in southwestern Indiana had been planning to display a collection of artistic crosses in the middle of their town, but a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has now put that plan in jeopardy.
West Side Christian Church (WSCC) in Evansville recently announced plans for the first annual “Cross the River” campaign, scheduled for August 4–18. By collaborating with several community churches, WSCC members were hoping the project would raise funds for the Evansville Rescue Missions Camp Reveal and Childcare Assistance Resources of Evansville.
“Cross the River will display 31 6’ tall crosses,” WSCC’s website explains, “each decorated differently by its sponsor, one of the various inter-denominational churches or faith-based organizations who are unified through the common symbol of the cross. Each cross will be decorated with a specific theme in mind so each cross will be different.”
Last month, the Evansville Board of Public Works discussed in detail the proposed cross display during a board meeting. Meeting minutes obtained by Evansville Courier & Press document the lengthy discussion board members had with Mike Day, a contractor who is planning to supply the crosses for the display. During the meeting, Day explained that the monuments will be “a show of faith” for the over 200 churches in the greater Evansville area. In addition, the city’s Corporate Counsel Ted Ziemer affirmed that the crosses would not violate any laws.
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Thousands of people were crucified for their crimes. Rome crucified its enemies and those that rose up against Rome along the Appian Way. We Christians see power in only one cross…the cross that Jesus Christ died upon for our sins. In their foolishness to file a suit to block the display of crosses in Evansville, the ACLU ignores the history that many others were crucified and actually acknowledges and bows to the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Amen!