Elderly Calif. Woman’s Giant Yard Cross Prompts City Inspection
- Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:19am by
Billy Hallowell
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Image Credit: LA.Curbed.com
LOS ANGELES (The Blaze/AP) — A nearly 25-foot cross in the front yard of an elderly woman’s home is stirring controversy in a Los Angeles neighborhood. The two-story religious symbol has frustrated the woman’s neighbors, sparking an investigation by city officials.
Neighbors complain the cross is an eyesore that is attracting unwanted attention to their San Fernando Valley cul-de-sac and hurting their property values.
“When you turn down our cul-de-sac, it looks like there is a church on our street,” Laurie Biener of the West Hills neighborhood told the Daily News.

Aside from lamenting the mere presence of the giant cross, some are also disturbed by its graphic nature. The cross has drops of blood-red paint in the area where Jesus’ hands and feet would have been nailed. It also features a crown of thorns and a sign that says, “Jesus I trust in you.”
Neighbors’ complaints to officials and to the Department of Building and Safety have prompted city building inspectors to take a look at the cross. They’re expected to determine this week whether it complies with zoning rules or should be removed.
Homeowner Laly Dobener said she erected the cross to express her devotion to her Catholic faith and hopes her religious freedom will be protected.
“I don’t understand what my neighbors are so upset about,” the 72-year-old told the newspaper. “This cross isn’t hurting anyone. It is my way of expressing my love to God and to the world … to bring God’s love to everyone.”
A similar case occurred in New Jersey recently, resulting in a victory for a Christian man who also wanted to display a cross in his front yard. What do you think? Should this woman be allowed to keep the cross on her lawn in its current form? Take our poll, below:





















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Comments (149)
V-MAN MACE
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:38amI got news for you atheists…
There’s probably a few churches on all of your streets…
…seeing as how the church resides in the hearts of believers…
YOU’RE SURROUNDED.
GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN.
OR BE ASSIMILATED.
atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:02pmWho pissed in your cornflakes?
You do realize we’re a nation of diversity, right? That includes ideological diversity.
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 11:30amI say all the atheists just put up inverted crosses… fair is fair.
Report Post »ConservativeChristianB1954
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:28amI wonder if this was an Islamic symbol if there would be such a fuss?
Report Post »SgtBarrett
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:58amIf she dropped the giant cross in a giant barrel of urine and called it art… Then there would be no problem… Right? What a SCREWED UP COUNTRY WE LIVE IN!!!!!
Report Post »MontanaRob
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:58amOnly at the funeral of the beheaded neighbors for daring say anything.
Report Post »bryonblackwell
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:15amIf it was an islamic symbol there would be no fuss from the neighbors or the city. It seems if you are christian and conservative you have a big target on your back that everyone can see.
Report Post »DreadPirate
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:26amOf course not. Peole would love it. This is just another example of persecution of the Church increasing. Unfortunately, it’s inevitable.
Report Post »Whitey4West
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 11:32amIF I had a million bucks to throw down, I‘d bet it ALL on the odds that they’ll (commiefornia gubmnt) tell her to take it down because it “violates zoning rules”
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:14pmYeah, mostly from members of this website.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:42pmI am very familiar with the area. And I can tell you with the proximity of your neighbor’s house being only a few feet away, I can see why neighbors might want her to tone it down a bit ( I‘m sure they wouldn’t have a problem if it were only 5′ feet tall). My neighbors have a statue of Joseph, Mary, & Jesus in their front yard. It doesn’t bother this non-Christian one bit. Jumping to the conclusion that this is an anti-Christian action is a bit much.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:54pmWHITEY- I don’t know how it works in your neck of the woods, but state government has not much to say over a city’s municipal codes here in California. Many cities here in California are actually very business and homeowner friendly.
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:56pmPut the green crescent in my neighborhood and I would be upset more than a little
OMG -Psalm 109:8
Report Post »Mort
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:23amThe thing that was and is different about the united states are property rights which are protected by the government. Or, at least, were in the beginning. If we lose, or give up, our property rights, we have lost the most important freedom we have.
Report Post »Charles O McVey SFC 7 USA Retired
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:40pmI have a 25ft Flag Pole in front of my house with another 3 ft buried in the ground and concrete, it appears that this Cross is also set in Concrete and Buried in the ground to insure stability. I see no reason what-so-ever for this to be an issue with her neighbors, or the city, other than someone has nothing better to do with their time then to call City Hall and gripe. This is not only a stupid issue for the City to be involved in but a waist of Taxpayers Money for them to even come out and check on it. I would have told wh-ever called to go to Starbucks and have a cup of espresso to calm his/her nerves.
Report Post »bigpew
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:22amYeah, Why Not? ??? It much more than that. We should all,who claim to love the one who gave his life for ours, displaying our faith. Yeah, why not, no ABSOLUTELY!! The separation is in full swing. Goats and Sheep. GB
Report Post »RRFlyer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:44amI agree, I didn’t take the poll because of the lame way they asked the question. It may as well say, “I don’t really care, but why not?”
Report Post »Polls are all misleading in the way they are presented. Why can’t they just ask a question and let you say Yes or No. And why would you even take a poll if you vote “undecided”?
tobywil2
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:21amperhaps,if it were Islam they would be more tolerant! http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »tobywil2
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:19amback to basics, who really owns the property, the lady or the city? The solution, throw the rascals out. http://commonsense21c.com/
Report Post »DreadPirate
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:31amIt depends on who you ask. If you were to ask the lady, she’d say she owns the house. If you were to ask the City, they’d pervaricate a lot and it would boil down to them thinking they own it.
Report Post »MLV 1055
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 2:20pmIf one pays taxes on a property and it can be confiscated because one does not pay taxes, one does not own the property.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:16amIt’s a first amendment issue,the lady is exercising her right under the first amendment to practice her religion, and if someone is offended by her cross they probably shouldn’t look at it or move to a more tolerant country like N.Korea.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:14amThis is another great example of our loss of freedom in this country. You simply are not allowed to use your property as you desire anymore. Government is constantly involved in our lives telling us what we can and can’t do. Her neighbors although they may be annoyed by the cross have no right to tell her what she can and cant do on her own property. When you go to government to solve your problems you give them more and more power to control. http://guerillatics.com
Report Post »barryfadams
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:06am“This cross isn’t hurting anyone. It is my way of expressing my love to God and to the world … to bring God’s love to everyone.”
She can express love of G-d by keeping it in her house, looking at it every morning, caressing it and reading stories to it. But loving G-d is also about getting along with your neighbors.
Report Post »The Blaze hasn’t given us enough information. Who are her neighbors? Are they Blacks who might see the giant cross as a reminder of the KKK? Are they Jews who might see this as something to attract their kids to Christianity, away from Judaism?
And what are the limits to what you can put in your front lawn? Could one put a nude woman billboard on the front lawn? If one cannot, and I believe cause can be made to forbid it, can a case not be made for other things that offend the neighbors?
Does she have a religious obligation to put this cross up? Why does neighborly love, which I believe is an obligation, have to play second-fiddle to this?
RRFlyer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:45amWhy can’t you write GOD?
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:53amRespect. Why does it matter to you? You can write “God” with no problem.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:04am@BARRYFADAMS: Where do I begin ? You are almost as bad as neighbor Laurie Biener.
Report Post »The lovely and loving Laly Dobner is expressing her love for what Jesus did for her, you and ALL of us filthy sinners. The empty cross on Ms. Dobner’s private property is a symbol of a resurrected and living Christ, and the “blood red paint” symbolized Christ’s precious blood shed for the sins of the world. I can only imagine what you might have in your yard. If you were my neighbor, and you are, I would tolerate your yard stuff as you should tolerate my yard stuff. May God bless you with a forgiving and understanding heart.
JohnHW
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:27amIt is way past time to tell the government just who OWNS the property. I don’t see them paying any mortgage, etc. I have a friend who wanted to add a bedroom to his home because of twins that were on their way. His family had own the farm of 300 acres for over 60 years. The county said that their drain field had to be enlarged. The EPA said NO. First it was one reason, then when that was overcome, the EPA found another – and another. After the twins arrived, the EPA was on their fourth reason. He started building the bedroom, which had been initially approved until the EPA got involved. Would you believe an EPA “agent” walked onto HIS property and told the builder to stop work and to tear down what had been built. My friend, when he heard the argument came out of his home with his hunting gear on (he had been going hunting) with shotgun (unloaded) in hand and ordered the EPA agent off his land. The sheriff was called and my friend requested him to arrest the EPA “government” agent for trespassing (EPA did not have a search warrent). The whole case went to the county judge and the judge upheld my friend, granting the building permit.
Report Post »MHP
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:45amYou should play second fiddle.
Report Post »Put the cross up.
atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:35pmAmen. The editor’s of the blaze have been carefully cultivating outrage from the fundamentalist christian readers they attract like socks fresh out of a dryer to hair. In reality, there’s very little interaction between the atheistic and christian community, however, if you base your perception of reality based on what’s presented here, you‘d think atheists exist purely to piss on jesus’s parade.
Report Post »yosemitefan
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:24pm@Barry…
First it is her property. She can put up her cross and statues her neighbors can do the same because it’s their property. If you dont like it, dont look at – get over yourself. The country has way too many conformist Nazi’s telling their neihbors what color the house, can be what kind of drapes, what kind of wallpaper..if more people would tell them to go hell we would have our rights back in this country again
Report Post »DisgustedWithSociety
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 4:15pmCan’t write GOD .. but has NO trouble with the Triple K’s.. ignorance
Report Post »Battlecarrot
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:34pmJust because you are a Jew you don“t trump everything.That fact that Christianity and its sacramentals is offense to you matters not a whit to me nor her but speaks VOLUMES about you.Build a giant Mennorah-I`ll help.Get OVER yourself.
Report Post »barryfadams
Posted on September 22, 2011 at 6:39pmWe Jews write G-d as a gesture of respect. In normal discussion we do not generally use that name but use the word “Hashem”, which literally means “The Name”. If G-d’s Holy Name were written in our Holy Tongue, in Hebrew , we would be forbidden to erase it. Therefore, writing G-d helps us remember to have the proper reverence.
Report Post »I can put Jewish items of worship in my yard because I live in a neighborhood and building complex that is populated only with Jews of my persuasion, most of them closer to G-d than I. But for that reason, I would not be seen on my front yard without a shirt on, in order not to offend their sensibilities.
If you want to do your thing and you don’t care what anyone else feels, you cease from that moment on to be a good neighbor. And being a good neighbor is part of being close to G-d, and no cross, no matter how bloody or how big, is going to balance that out.
christos
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:05am…….Genuinely Endearing…….I Vote go away meddlers……
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:17pm…….why do you…..love…periods….so…much?……..
Report Post »TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:39pmAre you on yours?
Report Post »sisserydoo
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 11:03pmI wish I could hit the ‘like button on tulsa’s comment :o)
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:59amOh hell! Here we go with these darnn crazy Christians. If you allow this , before you know it, they’ll be flying planes into buildings,and then building churches in victory where they will raise money and plan the next act of horror.
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:15pmCool straw-man fallacy, brah.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 1:38pmAren’t you over-reacting a bit?
Report Post »VectorRector
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 2:51pmLol
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:58amI am going to separate this issue into two parts. As a property owner you should have the freedom to do what you want with your property WITHIN THE LIMITS of the law. In other words, if I would be allowed to construct a 2 story bird house then I should also be allowed to construct a cross…or an altar to Zeus…
As a Christian I would have to say this is wrong. What is it proving? Is this to demonstrate this woman’s faith…or to rub her neighbor’s noses in it? I normally support crosses…in appropriate places such as roadsides where people have dies, the World Trade Center, the monument in AZ…This does not seem appropriate though. This seems over the top. Am I condemning it? No. But as a Christian my message to this lady is this is not the way.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:09amAgree, Just tone it down.
Report Post »SgtB
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:21amShe has her natural rights of life, liberty, and property. She is on her own property (or is she? Look up allodial title, the only way to truly own land.) and she is practicing her religion in the way that she wants to. It isn’t up to anyone else to decide how this woman can worship or what she can do on her own property. Only people with socialist tendancies would think they have a right to walk onto her property and complain about what she is doing.
Personally, I‘m not gonna put a big 25’ cross in my yard ever, but if I did and someone tried to tell me I couldn’t, they would be looking down a 12 guage bore all the way to my property line.
Report Post »Shellback
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:28amI also agree. Now if they allow a HAM radio antenna, then could turn this into a ham radio antenna. Problem solved.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 11:23amVery well put, Troll. Fortunately for myself and my neighbors, our expression of faith ( in this manner) does not go any further than our porch. I can see your God’s happiness in you, through your enlightenment. Vale in pace.
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 1:01pmyou sound like a confused legalist.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 1:25pmA legalist?
Really? Someone who puts religious laws and observances over the message of Christ? I hate the question WWJD, I think it is stupid. We are not Jesus. But in this case, I ask you, what would Jesus have this woman do? Do you think He would tell her to erect the 2 story cross in a residential neighborhood?
You call me a legalist, I think without even knowing what that term means, because I am opining that this is not the way a christian should behave. I ask you to read Luke 18:10-14. This lady is acting the legalist.
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:14pmGood post, Trolltrainer. I agree with you.
Report Post »VectorRector
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 3:30pmJesus asked some old guy named Noah to disenfranchise his neighbors by building a huge boat (that made no sense to any of his neighbors) nowhere near water, so maybe she’s just being obedient.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:53am“This cross isn’t hurting anyone. It is my way of expressing my love to God and to the world … to bring God’s love to everyone.”
Report Post »————————————————————-
How long has she lived in California? She must live a sheltered life. Having a cross, or an American flag in your front yard is akin to having old washing machines, or a car without tires in your front yard.
It just will not be TOLERATED.
MHP
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 10:44amTo hell with California, I’ll do what I damn well want.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:52pmThere are plenty of American flags and religious decorations in front of many homes all over California (which seem to meet theri respective city’s building codes). Are you sure that you’ve been here? It doesn’t seem so.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:49amOnly way I’d say No to this is if she lives in a private community with rules about lawn decoration or if such a large item someone breaks local laws about what you can/cannot put on your property. Otherwise, yeah, let her do what she wants!
Report Post »fdonnino
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:48amJesus…I trust in you too!
Report Post »MARCH4HIM
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:48amWhen the last Christian leaves the US …Please turn out the light…..
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:19pmYeah, totally man. It’s like a second holocaust, but on lawn decorations.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 1:35pmThis story has nothing that suggests any anti-Christian sentiment.
Report Post »VectorRector
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 2:55pmFining folks for conducting Bible studies in the fine state does, however. It’s another part of the whole, to some.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 6:00pmVector- The story that you’re posting about (fining a bible study..), also had nothing to do with them being Christian. If that is what you were posting about. If not, my apologies.
Report Post »ChristinaK065
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:47amI think what this country needs is more yards with crosses and a little less hatred of god and country.
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:22pmYeah, a nation that’s overwhelmingly christian is such a problem when it comes to this. I mean, being asked to take down a massive structure from your yard because it’s bothering your neighbors? What’s next? I’ll tell you. Auschwitz.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:42am.
Report Post »Where are the lighting bolt’s when you need one?……………
kickagrandma
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:42amYou go, “elderly woman”! I think ALL CHRISTIANS need to be standing up, rather like the Israelites did during the Passover: we put signs (crosses, fish, JESUS) on our houses, our property, so people know we are CHRISTIANS. That makes us targets, you say. YEP!
“He who confesses Me before men, he shall I also confess before My Father in Heaven.”
It’s also a sign of refuge…sanctuary… REAL HOPE…
Report Post »louise
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 9:35amyou are right-on Kikagranma!
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:27pmAs a christian, I already got a jesus fish on my car, wear christian t-shirts, blast Steven Curtis Chapman from my hummer H2 while roaring down the highway…but you’re right. What I really need is a GARGANTUAN-ASS WOODEN TORTURE DEVICE LOOMING OMINOUSLY OVER MY HOUSE SO I CAN WITNESS TO ASTRONAUTS CURRENTLY ABOARD THE SPACE STATION! brb, home depot.
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:53pmROFLMAO,
Atombomb, you sure got a way with words!
Report Post »TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:43pmThat was pretty funny Atom…
Report Post »ChristinaK065
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:41amIf it is on her property that she pays taxes on she should be able to have the cross there, it is none of the neighbors business, don‘t look at it if you don’t like it. The woman is right it’s not hurting anyone. I would rather look at a cross then a property with junk cars, a lawn that’s never mowed, trash all over, a house in need of repairs and paint now that brings down property values not a cross. Get over it and move on.
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:41amUnless your in a deed restricted community(commieville), it is private property and what she puts in it is her biznazz. Get over it. If it was a statue praising Allah and Mohammed would they complain?!?
Report Post »jim
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:40amIt’s no more visually distracting than a lightening rod, or a chimney. California has huge problems with all things Christian, and all things American… like flags draped over balconies. But the nationalistic flag of Mexico, or the LBGT banner? No problemo.
Report Post »Bumr50
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:38am“When you turn down our cul-de-sac, it looks like there is a church on our street,”
———————————————————————————————————————
“GASP!
What will our friends think?”
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:39pmIf I lived near you, and erected a neon sign in the shape of a nude model, making my house resemble a strip-club, you would care. A lot.
Report Post »Faith1029
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 1:37pmWhat’s next? Removing a pink flamingo out of the yard because the neighbor says it’s too pink! Do people with giant windmills in their yard have to take them down now because it bothers the neighbors? My relatives had to take an above ground pool down out of their yard because the snobby neighbors didn’t like it…..it wasn‘t an inground pool and wasn’t appealing. There is a beauty salon in my neighborhood with a statue of Budda outside. Should I call to have it removed? This is getting nuts.
I don‘t think this lady is rubbing the neighbor’s nose in it. She obviously is not a closet Christian and not afraid to state what she believes in. She is expressing her love for her Savior and it is a reminder to all who look at it Who we should be looking to in these trying times. I would find it a comfort to see a cross on a lawn. To those who would suggest what if they put a large muslim symbol in their yard, is that ok? I would say, fine, that is your right, and then I would put a cross in my yard. They are trying to get rid of everything Christian. Stand up for what you believe in.
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 5:46pmATOM, we‘d be doin’ some bidniss!
Report Post »Joisey
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:31amWhen aesthetics trumps freedom of speech, you will have no freedom of speech.
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 12:37pmAtheists have nothing to do with this. Re-read the article.
Report Post »atombomb
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 1:22pmMy bad. I read your comment a little too fast. Seeing that you’re from jersey, I will now ask you to refrain from stabbing me. Thanks.
Report Post »conservativeKen1971
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 8:27amFreedom of speech will be what the government tells you it is. If the neighbors don’t like it, they don’t have to look at it. There‘s a lot of things in my neighborhood I don’t like, but who am I to dictate others?
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 21, 2011 at 11:16amNEVER object to a FERRARI !!
I‘m just sayin’…
LOL
Report Post ».