Crosses Along Highways Are Proliferating, Professor Says

Today's Salt Lake (Utah) Tribune chronicles the research of Southwestern University communications professor Bob Bednar who is looking at the growing number of crosses that have been placed by roadsides across the country to memorialize individuals who have been killed in traffic accidents. A lawsuit is currently pending in Utah, brought by the American Atheists, challenging the placement of crosses on public rights of way. Bednar has found similar crosses in numerous states. Bednar argues that the crosses are an unconstitutional use of a religious symbol by public agencies. Recently, the Utah legislature approved a resolution supporting crosses erected to memorialize fallen members of the highway patrol (HCR 4), saying they are not religious symbols. Bednar agrees that crosses are becoming secularized symbols of memorialization, but he would like to see the cross returned to its Christian roots.