The Freedom From Religion Foundation continues to object to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ decision to accept a wooden religious sculpture in Whitewater Memorial State Park. FFRF wrote to the DNR Aug. 20 to urge rejection of the proposed statue, an 8-foot-tall, chainsaw-carved veterans memorial that includes a prominent white cross.
DNR Director Cameron Clark wrote to the Union County Development Corp., which arranged for the statue, on Sept. 2, stating that he was “pleased to accept [their] gift on behalf of the citizens of Indiana and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.” Clark dictated the sculpture be placed directly next to the park’s administrative office, in part to provide “proper visibility.”
Gov. Mike Pence issued a statement in support of the sculpture: “So long as I am governor, I will defend the right of Hoosiers to display this sculpture in Whitewater Memorial State Park as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of all who have worn the uniform of the United States.” He added, “The freedom of religion does not require freedom from religion.”
FFRF noted in its letter that the memorial did not in fact honor all veterans. “[T]he Christian-only memorial will send a message that the government only cares about the deaths of Christian soldiers, not Jewish, other non-Christian and nonreligious soldiers,” Senior Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert wrote.
Markert continued, quoting a federal court decision, “Although the cross serves as a tombstone, a religious symbol is not necessary to mark a grave, and . . . the use of a religious symbol where one is not necessary evidences a religious purpose.”
“The freedom of religion does require freedom from religion,” said FFRF Co-President Dan Barker, “because the freedom of religion means nothing without the freedom to dissent. And Governor Pence should be free from religion when acting in his role as a public servant.”
Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor added, “FFRF has no objection to veterans memorials, but they cannot be used as a subterfuge to put Latin crosses on government land. Whitewater Memorial State Park should not host a monument that appears to say ‘We only care about your service if you’re a Christian. Other religious believers and atheists and agnostics don’t deserve recognition.’ There are many atheists in foxholes, and 24 percent of FFRF membership is made up of veterans or active military.”
FFRF will work with its local Indiana members to determine further action if the DNR does not reconsider its decision.