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Faith

Teen Atheist Behind Prayer Mural Ban Wants Contentious WWI & WWII Cross Removed

May. 16, 2012 1:43pm Billy Hallowell

Teen Atheist Jessica Ahlquist Supports Removing Woonsocket Cross | Rhode Island

Jessica Ahlquist (left) (AP)

Jessica Ahlquist, the 16-year-old behind the prayer mural ban at Cranston High School West in Cranston, Rhode Island, just can’t seem to keep her name out of the news.

Months after she won her ACLU-led battle, the teenager continues to receive both attention — and threats. While she’s been quiet over the past few weeks regarding her take on atheist demands that a WWI and WWII monument in front of a Woonsocket, Rhode Island, firehouse, be removed, she’s finally speaking out.

Ahlquist, who was initially accused by some of having involvement in her state’s latest battle between atheists, believers and pro-military families, has consistently denied playing a role in the spat. But on Tuesday, she posted a message on her Twitter account that, at the least, clears up her views on the Christ-inspired memorial.

She wrote, “This should settle some of the confusion around the Woonsocket memorial controversy. I now support its removal.” Along with her message, she shared a link to a blog post purporting to republish an old article about the monument’s initial dedication in the 1920s.

Teen Atheist Jessica Ahlquist Supports Removing Woonsocket Cross | Rhode Island There’s no clear indication why she posted a link to the blog, CautionChurchAhead.com, but in sharing her views on the matter, she has certainly opened herself up to further criticism. Ahlquist’s tweet means that she is joining the chorus of atheists who view the cross as a form of discrimination being waged against them.

As previously reported, the Christian cross, which was built in Woonsocket back in 1921, is causing a great deal of angst among secularists who stand firmly opposed to its presence on public property. Taking on even more significance beyond WWI, the monument was re-dedicated back in 1952 to honor three fallen WWII soldiers who lived in the area and has since been a public statement of remembrance.

Image Credit: ABC6

In a April 13 letter sent from the FFRF to Leo Fontaine, the city’s mayor, FFRF staff attorney Rebecca Markert called the presence of the cross “unconstitutional” and claimed that a concerned citizen made the group aware of its presence.

Supporters of the monument, though, are fighting back and defying the request. Earlier this month, more than 1,000 people assembled in support of the religious symbol and the veterans it represents. The city of Woonsocket, too, has setup a war memorial fund to collect monies if, indeed, a legal battle ensues.

(H/T: WPRO)

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Comments (780)

jcvillar
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:27pm
These monuments are too old to be removed. They are now historical pieces and the crosses upon them are part of the history of the WWI and WWII era. Further, the crosses are a Constitutionally protected expression of the religious beliefs of the fallen for whom the monuments were built.

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scentofhope
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:25am
Funny how those who are Atheists and libs say they are “accepting of others” and “unlike Christians, I don’t discriminate” are so against a cross and/or crucifix. If they were indeed accepting and non-discriminatory, then it stands to reason religious symbols would be a non-issue. The hue and cry over religious symbolism is indicative of the true nature of the beast, is it not?

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ArcadiaP
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 8:24pm
I attended the demonstration for the monument to stay right where it is and for the cross to remain on top of it. I will tell you that the Rhode Islanders who came and showed their support will never allow this monument to be removed or the cross standing on it. These soldiers who it honors ( two of the brothers who are buried in Europe fighting in World War II) and the other were Christians. They were born Christians and died as Christians and have a right to their cross which is representative of their faith. This monument ( sadly in need of repair ) is to them personally and for their sacrifice. What has this little teenage twit done lately for her country to warrant an opinion on anything let alone a demand? The good news is that when the crowd came and saw what poor condition it is in they want to restore it and make it even better, maybe with a fifty foot cross, who knows. If you really care send the mayor a donation to enhance this poor dilapidated monument to these heroes of America.

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potvin
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 4:02pm
Tell her to piss off.

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Possessor
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 2:05pm
She is a weak ignorant physical male, while trying to manipulate the rest of us with her little girl self as a victim in justice

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judyaz
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 10:20am
Who are you, young one of generations later, to insert yourself in this of three fallen US soldiers? They died defending this “one nation under God” in hopes that in death they would go on to the Father. As soldiers, they were property of the US at that moment. Their prayer was to belong to God and to be with Jesus. They were brave young men, who gave their all fighting for freedom, including religious freedom and freedom of speech. This was their will on earth, as it is now to be in heaven. Who are you to have any say in their free will and free speech, or that we, thankfully, honor them for giving their lives for our freedom?

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TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 7:44am
If everyone would take a second and donate a little we could help these folks get a war chest for this fight! Do it!

http://www.ci.woonsocket.ri.us/

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Timmay
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 7:22am
All she wants is attention, she is 16. Some boy didnt pay attention to her so now she has to take it out on a monument. Where are her parents?

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Sniper48
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 7:10am
Why does this spoiled bitch get credit for saying anything worth hearing, much less printing. Whe can go to hell… oops, to late!

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M24
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 6:46am
How Much More Are We as a People Going To Let This Buzzard Vomit Take Away From Us ? She finds the Cross Offensive Well I Find Her Offensive , What The Hell Is Wrong With Everybody ? After Thirty Years In The Military I Have Seen Hell And Satin I’ll Bet She Hasn’t ! It’s Time To Stop Turning The Other Cheek And Start Fighting For What Is Pure And Right !! SEMPER FI

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Mike In Israel
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 5:24am
As an observant Jew, let me be clear on this: Religious Tolerance is what makes America great!
This monument should STAY! It is an honor to those who dedicated their lives to something greater than themselves and if it inspires and encourages others to hang tough, then so be it. While one may “doubt” the existence of the Creator, one cannot prove that the One does not exist. American values need to be strengthened and attacks like these merely distract from the important work we face.

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megarobryder
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 4:28am
There is religeon and there is faith…….seems mostly religeon is caught up in the political fray ….. Hopefully this youngster will have an awakening before it is too late. Eternity is a long time.

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BrianJohnson
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 1:40am
Does she plan to protest when government offices take Christmas off as a “holy day”? Or sue the post office for printing stamps with the Virgin Mary on them? Our president publicly honors Muslim holy days – is she penning her next letter of outrage to him? And to be completely consistent, she must be prepared to call the ACLU anytime she hears someone say “good-bye” (“God be with ye”) on government property.

I have yet to meet an atheist who is truly consistent in standing up for his or her (misapplied) notion of “Separation of Church and State”.

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Lilac
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 1:39am
Atheists are no better than their buddies, the muslims – and the nazis. They are all related.

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jlfonz
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 1:12am
Nobody cares what you think you soul-less bimbo

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KENTUCKIANAPATRIOT
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 12:41am
AND another thing–someone needs to EXPLAIN to her & find ANOTHER WAY of getting through to her ACLU buddies–that if not for THIS country & our Military–she & THEY wouldn’t have the freedom to be trying to destroy our way of life. Only in a Christian Nation can that happen! There’s a few people who could benefit greatly from a nice trip to…oh, say NORTH KOREA ? IRAN? The lot wouldn’t last long.

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KENTUCKIANAPATRIOT
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 12:27am
This child is just saying what someone told her to say. C’mon! Another reason this country is in such a mess–we need a lot of play pens & some good old common sense. What a pity–useful idiots using useful idiots. She’s not capable of reasoning, or she would understand how silly she looks–AND she would understand that she’s being used. Too clueless to have come to an actual reckoning with such weighty matters–and too young. The part that disgusts me, is that the tiny number of trouble-makers are running over the rest of us. I have had more than enough!!!

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rickc34
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:35pm
Hello all. I work for a hospice and have taken care of many pt’s during the dying phase. I have taken care of professing atheist’s also. I showed them the same copassion as any other patient. You see I believe in God I believe in the Bible . Do not be flled with hate or name calling 8 am not your enemy. Anyway getting back to the atheist pt who died. One in particular was 38 years old and bragged and cursed God on his death bed he knew I was a Christian and was tying to get me upset. His inlaws also believed in God. The last 24 hours or so he was in a comatose state he was unable to respond to touch or speech but he was aware of something. You see he was crying and moaning in pain even though no one was touching him . His wife was at his bedside most of the time holding his hand with a look of terror on her face she asked. Her mother why he was so restless and like something was after him her mother replied that he was probably seeing his fate for not believing in GOD and his destination was hell by his own choice. It was the wors 12 hours in my life

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USA-Ron
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:15pm
sorry to say but,

Leave things as they are,

believe or not.

don’t pop up and try to to change things.

mind your own business.

If you must, then …………….

you are a anti-christ and shall not be approved by God.

don’t want you or tell you to go to hell but ………..

think and pray … Jesus is Coming — don’t be sorry

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libwhacker
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:41pm
I am telling you now do not mess with the cross i assure you not joking here commie!

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shelliertrm
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:15pm
Geez! Don’t let them know about Arlington!

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Robert Hawk
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 10:04pm
There is a solution to defeating these Athenian Sophists. Have the city or county sell to the local church that small patch of land containing the memoria. The memorial will then be protected by the first amendment.

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Stephen Markovich
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:39pm
may she get incurable cancer

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Wolfgang the Gray
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:08pm
As a 4th generation veteran, I find this atheist offensive. Can we have her removed?

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olddog
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 8:49pm
Let’s Simply Remove the athheist!! What a wonderful world it would be..

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