July 19, 2013

Star of David controversy

The "Yellow Badge" Jews were forced to wear.
It's rare to find anything interesting in HuffPo's religion section. But today I found an article that piqued my interest.

There is a plan to put a Holocaust memorial at an Ohio statehouse, and the memorial is set to have a Star of David figuring prominently in the piece. You can see an artist's rendition of the memorial at the linked article. I think it's stunningly beautiful.

The question, of course, is whether a religious symbol can be used on state property. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (an organization that does great things) has a problem with it. I don't.

Check the article out and see what you think. Since the Holocaust was an event in which the Star of David figured prominently, I see no reason why it can't be used in the memorial. It's not a memorial "to Jewishness". It's about an historic event that affected Jews more than any other group.

Here is an excerpt from the article:
The wording on the memorial is set to say, "In remembrance of the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust and millions more including prisoners of war, ethnic and religious minorities, homosexuals, the mentally ill, the disabled, and political dissidents who suffered under Nazi Germany."
How can anyone object to this? I can't. If you have an opinion, click the comment button and tell us what you think.

3 comments:

writenow said...

I forgot to say that the image of the Star of David is a Wikimedia Commons image.

Anna Guess Pick said...

I prefer to keep all "church" separate from state. Put the memorial some place else, not at the statehouse.

You did ask for my opinion, right?

writenow said...

Your opinion is welcome. Most atheists would disagree with me on this. Doesn't make me feel any different. I think the memorial is fine just the way they designed it.