Update: Christian Cross Now Allowed on Man’s Lawn After NJ Town Amends Ordinance
- Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:38pm by
Billy Hallowell
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New Jersey officials who mandated that a man remove a Christian cross from his private property have taken decisive action to avoid a contentious — not to mention expensive — First Amendment legal battle.
The initial drama, which we first reported on The Blaze back in July, unfolded after neighbors who didn’t like the cross complained. As a result, officials upheld a littering ordinance that prohibits citizens from posting anything on structures, including trees. The regulation is breached if posted items are “calculated to attract the attention of the public.”
The cross, posted by Patrick Racaniello, initially violated these standards. When the town asked him to remove it, he complied. Then, when he created another version of it and placed it on his lawn, he was again found to be in violation of yet another township regulation. At this point, Racaniello decided to take his case to the Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, a group of Christian lawyers who typically involve themselves in such matters.
Below, watch the original WABC-TV report for more on this issue:
Knowing full-well that a major battle would unfold if the issue made its way into the courts, township officials buckled. In an effort to quell the debate that was quickly boiling over, they amended the township code. NJ.com has more:
The change, approved unanimously by the township council Tuesday night, means the Sterling Drive resident who helped bring about the amended ordinance can now display a cross on a tree in his front yard — as long as the tree is not in the municipal right-of-way.
According to the amended ordinance, residents are no longer prohibited to put up notices or other postings on a structure as long as those structures are not within public right-of-ways, including 10-foot buffers that extend from curb lines onto private property.
This decision not only avoids a court battle, but it also ensures that Racaniello will have the ability to place the cross in his yard. While his neighbors may not be happy with the decision, Racaniello will likely feel as though justice has been served.
(h/t NJ.com)
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Comments (102)
olddog
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:35pmWhat Kind of people find a Cross offensive. Leftists have to tear down our religion in order for them to take over.
Report Post »The Third Archon
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:42pmYou know there ARE religious Leftists right?
Report Post »This_Individual
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:32pmOh, good.
Report Post »notjoshing
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:30pmIn the town, Livingston, New Jersey, they also eliminated the use of BC and AD for dates because, in the words of my daughter’s teacher, “We must be sensitive to those who are not Christian.” It never ends.
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 4:59am@ Notjoshing:
Outrageous!!!
I would send a letter to my kid’s teacher – if that was stated to my kid.
It is a known fact that radical progressives have turned the education system – inside-out, upside down – to promote their ideology = radical-leftist education. None of our children should be expected to kowtow to their beliefs – or their ideologies. There is already a problem with liberals – who are union members teaching our kids – the history of The USA – when the norm was acceptance of our US history – until radicals infiltrated the education system.
Think about it. A letter might be worthwhile – and send a copy to the principal – and Superintendent of the schools – because you do not know what else these liberal loons have been doing.
Report Post »Teclarosa
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:20pmNOTJOSHING — The response then is for you to ask your daughter’s teacher, directly, “Why do all of history’s dates start counting from that particular year? Did someone just arbitrarily pick a year and say ‘start here,’ or did something really significant happen that year that we count from, such as the birth of Jesus)?” The calendar we all use is called the Gregorian calendar for a reason – because Pope Gregory did the math and figured out when Jesus was born and started his calendar then. Paint her into a logical corner until she concedes!
Report Post »TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:14pm@TomFerrari (applauding)
Report Post »Marengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:00pm(applauding)
Report Post »what exacly? if i were you or TomFerrari’s neighbor, you know damn well you would be the first one to call the cops and run to the court house if I put up a huge pentagram and held ‘gatherings’ out side MY PROPERTY to honor Satan!! Hey, it’s about free speech, right???
hypocrite!!!
Patriot Z
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 3:15amput up a pentagram, it actually has squat to do with satan anyways. next, if he put up lawn trolls or pink swans or some of the many tacky looking decorations we already see on laws. nobody would say anything. also this ordinance included trees too. this was done because some athiest got butthurt. alot of them seem to think that they have a right to be sheilded from all forms of religion. its sad and pathetic i say, and im athiest. Amd again its usually done to christians and the cross, not jews, bhuddists, taoist and especially muslim
Report Post »texasgal13
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:05pmMarengo Ohio Patriot, I would welcome you to put up a pentagram on your front lawn…knock yourself out. It would help me as a parent greatly to know where you are, just like the registered sex offender signs. I can guide my children to stay clear of your house on Halloween. :) God Bless you (sincerely offered) as you may need some God and blessings.
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:13pmGood for him.. now go after the idiots that wanted it removed in the first place!!!
Report Post »LinkedIn G
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:13pmYou have awoken a sleeping giant. We will fight you at every turn libbys. You have noone to blame but yourselves.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:06pm@bernbart – think of it as a symbol of who they are – of their identity.
You wouldn’t presume to tell someone they cannot get a tattoo of a devil, or a tattoo of a 57 chevy, or a tattoo even of a swastika. WHY? Because their body is their property, and it is theirs to do with as they please.
If you can stop him from having a visible cross on his yard, then, he has the exact same right to tell YOU what tattoo you can get, or even what clothes to wear.
We protect the rights of others, ESPECIALLY when we do not agree with them. That is what the FIRST Amendment is all about – freedom of speech.
You do believe in the freedom of speech, don’t you?
The things we ALL agree upon do not need protecting.
Report Post »The federal government was CREATED for the sole purpose of PROTECTING OUR RIGHTS.
The First Amendment is NOT the freedom of HEARING, or the freedom of SEEING. It is the FREEDOM OF SPEECH. It is the ACTIVE PARTY that is protected. NOT the party who would hear or see the “speech”.
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Seagal45
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:53pmWe can put anything we want on our private property, that‘s why it’s called private property. Good for him, it’s time people stand up to the double standard and PC bull crap.
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:01pmAmen!!!
Report Post »JMorcan
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:08pmWhat the Hell makes these local yokels think they have the right to tell people what they can or can’t do with their own property? They deserve worse than to be voted out.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 5:33pmActually, if you think about it, you can‘t put ’anything” on private property. The zoning laws prohibit put gas stations on residential property, or storing tires, for example. However, lately, it seems that people are offended by American flags, crosses and Halloween figures, none of which violate zoning laws. They may, however, violate condo association rules, which can be tricky. And Heaven forbid that you have “wetlands” on your property.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:53pmPink flamingos
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:52pmA win for God is a win for mankind. Atheists, you are on notice. Christians are no longer going to let you force your valueless ways on us.
Report Post »bioengineer
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:07pmI personally don’t have an issue with someone putting a cross on their lawn, but there is nothing unconstitutional about a city/state forbidding something like his. How would you like it if say someone had a big wooden penis on their lawn? Or perhaps a huge pentagram? That cross is rather obnoxious. What’s the point of it? Obviously to send a message. They are preaching. They aren’t over there minding their own business. Removing the cross doesn’t in any way restrict their religious freedom. To me, they are forcing their values on others in the neighborhood. Again, I don’t have an issue with it personally, but I find it extremely tacky.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:08pmAMEN!
The First Amendment is NOT the “Freedom of HEARING”, or the “Freedom of SEEING”. It is the “FREEDOM OF SPEECH.”
It is the ACTIVE PARTY that is protected. NOT the party who would hear or see the statement.
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Report Post ».
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LibertarianForLife
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:08pmWhat is that, a joke? You have no logic or evidence WHATSOEVER to back up your nonsensical religion. Not to mention, you’ve done the “pushing down throats”, fool.
Report Post »bioengineer
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 5:37pm@TomFerrari, I take it then that you oppose laws that restrict advertisements (like billboards) for strip joints or adult video stores? You oppose laws that restrict where strip clubs, bars, or other types of establishments can setup shop?
I have no problem with restricting the location of a strip club or saying they can’t have a gaudy billboard with naked girls all over it. That‘s a state’s rights issue. Likewise, I’m not particularly interested in having a huge freaking cross right across the street from me. I’m just saying…
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 11:31pm@ioengineer
Report Post »Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:07pm
I personally don’t have an issue with someone putting a cross on their lawn, but there is nothing unconstitutional about a city/state forbidding something like his. How would you like it if say someone had a big wooden penis on their lawn? Or perhaps a huge pentagram? That cross is rather obnoxious. What’s the point of it? Obviously to send a message. They are preaching. They aren’t over there minding their own business. Removing the cross doesn’t in any way restrict their religious freedom. To me, they are forcing their values on others in the neighborhood. Again, I don’t have an issue with it personally, but I find it extremely tacky
***
Bet every lib group in America would be right there defending their right to do so. One persons beauty is obviously another persons tacky. If I remember the first story accurately, the man put it up to remind himself to pray for his brother in a war zone, until he came home. Since he put it on his own property, not the town square or a public park, people didn’t have to worry about it. When the neighbors complained, he even did lawnscaping around it to make it more pleasing to the neighbors. Those who look for something to offend themselves, will seldom be disappointed. (Yes, they are offending themselves by making a BIG deal about inconsequential matters.)
WhereIsTheAmericanDream
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:42pm@Liberatarianforlife
You call us foolish for having no evidence, but that’s not what being Christian is about. It’s about having Faith and believing in something greater than ourselves. It proves that we aren’t pompous and self-centered.
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:38pmWhy does this man need to display a cross on his lawn. It sort of reminds me of the KKK. Why do the Chrtisitisan right feel the need to cram their religion down everyone’s throats.?
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:48pmIf he put the cross on your lawn, then I would agree as to him cramming it down your throat… It is not on your property…. It is on his property. It is NONE of your business what someone does on their own property. You do not have a right to NOT be offended. In other words, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
Report Post »Witness1974
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:58pmFirst: IT’S HIS PROPERTY!
Report Post »Second: Displaying a symbol of Christianity is hardly “Cramming it down other people’s throats.” Do you want to outlaw crosses worn on necklaces next? Are you so fragile you can’t endure a simple symbol.
Third: If a person believes Christianity to be true then he would be remiss in not doing what he can to draw attention to the fact that God entered history as a man and spoke that truth to all human beings. There are permanent consequences for believing or not believing.
Fourth: I wouldn’t be offended if you put a big zero on your lawn as a symbol of what you believe.
TomFerrari
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:59pmbernbart – it is none of your business WHY he wants to do it. It is HIS property, and he is free to do with it as he pleases. If you want to put up an upside down cross on yours, you can. If you want to put up a NOTHING on your property, you can.
Asking WHY he puts up a cross is like asking why YOU do NOT put one up on YOUR yard – it is NONE of our business.
That is called FREEDOM.
In a free society, we are free to do as we please.
Report Post »This is one of the reasons we own property – so we can do with it as we please.
Of course, socialist democrats are against property rights. So, they can TAKE whatever they want, and tell you what you can and cannot do on/with your own property.
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Nanner-SW
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:25pmTo Christians the cross signifies a great variety of values, strength of spirit, perseverance, sacrifice, and forgiveness being a few. Though these values are internalized, some people get comfort and strength by merely seeing or holding a representation of the cross. It’s kind of like the counting back from ten method some people use to stop and think. Ex. (sacrifice) Jesus went though worse than this for me, surely I can give a little more of myself to help this person. (Forgiveness) Jesus was able to forgive those that tortured him; I shouldn’t hold anger toward my neighbors but compassion. And some people like to have a physical representation of what they are striving/living/working for/towards. Ex. Cure for Cancer bracelet, a tattoo of a loved one, bumper stickers, company logo on your name tag, a picture of your dream house, and a cross chain necklace (I am working towards a God given purpose that requires my focus and diligence and I can not waver). If you can not understand this then, I fear for your empathy and the empathy every child is born with, because that means that it can be destroyed by this world.
Report Post »rox
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 11:11amThis man should be able to put ANYTHING on his PRIVATE PROPERTY. If you don’t like it, look the other way.
Report Post »GENEPAGLIARI
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:30pmYAY too!
Report Post »YAY! two!
YAY to! you Mr. Rancaniello!
deadbeatjoe
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:27pmLet’s see what happens when he puts up a swastika.
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:39pmHe won’t
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:22pmI‘ll put up a statue of a donkey’s penis on my property if in I want to.
Report Post »Docrow
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:46pmI am glad we have the freedom to do this and even more glad I’m not your neighbor. :-)
Report Post »RightUnite
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:49pmYes, show the whole world your stupidity.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:00pmLOL @ Docrow!
Report Post »jungle J
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:05pmthe cross does nothing…actions make Christians look appealing or not….make your Christian symbol be action …not talk or pictures or devices …be doers of the Word not sayers…
Report Post »chipmunk
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:04pmYah, property rights prevail !!
One of my neighbors put up something far worse than a giant cross in their front yard. We all minded our business & kept our mouths shut until the day came when they finally (thankfully) took it down. And that took about 3 years!
But hey, it was their yard.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 11:57pmre : But hey, it was their yard
Report Post »***
I knew a guy who remodeled his bathroom and threw the johnie out the door onto his front yard, before he could cart it away the “City Fathers” had ordered him to get the junk cleaned up from the front yard, so he filled it with water and made a bird bath out of it. They came back at him for “mosquito” ordinances, so he drained it, filled it with potting soil and planted flowers in it.
The City and he fought for a couple years with him having to change the plantings according to the season, then his pre-schooler broke it, (I think he threw something at it.) and he carted off to the landfill. They‘d have saved themselves a lot of hassle if they’d have just let the kids play around it to begin with.
Harold B
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:04pmArticle 52 in the Constitution of the former USSR requires a seperation of church and state and another article of that same constitution states that atheism will be the state religion. Socialism has come to America and the Constitution of the former Soviet Union has been ratified into law by the American judicial system bypassing congress.
Report Post »Americans must realize that we are now citizens under the same constitution as Stalin used to rule Russia. Next time you meet a Judge thank her for eliminating freedom in America
Exrepublisheep
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:21pmIn that case you will soon be arrested, your family left out in the streets, and everything you own confiscated by the state.
Report Post »Bauervision
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:59pmwatch out anti-God liberals, we’re standing up for our rights as well!
Report Post »bernbart
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:48pmHey we live in Democracy. This is NOT a Chrsitian nation and has NEVER been a Chrstian nation. It is a secular Democracy. If he wishes to offend his neighbors and make a FOOL of himself and demean Christianity by displaying a cross on his private property he certainly has a righh to do it. However crosses do not belong on public property. The problem is Right wing Christians politicos trying to shove their religion down our throats and into our government. Religion should be private and personal, and not made into public displays. Keep it in your home and churches.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 4:14pm“In God We Trust” is our national motto.
Report Post »garjon
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 5:35pm@bernbart
Report Post »“Hey we live in Democracy.”
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. And to the _Republic_ for which it stands… I’d continue, but my point’s made.
Mil Mom
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:04am@bernbart
Report Post »Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:48pm
Hey we live in Democracy. This is NOT a Chrsitian nation and has NEVER been a Chrstian nation. It is a secular Democracy. If he wishes to offend his neighbors and make a FOOL of himself and demean Christianity by displaying a cross on his private property he certainly has a righh to do it. However crosses do not belong on public property. The problem is Right wing Christians politicos trying to shove their religion down our throats and into our government. Religion should be private and personal, and not made into public displays. Keep it in your home and churches.
***
And when you take these cases to the Supreme Court, what will you say when they open the session with prayer?
Are you one of those who’s trying to take every mention of Christianity or symbol of it out of all our land? If so, do you have nightmares when for every one you get rid of, you discover 5 more?
L0WRYDER
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:19amBernbart it is not a Democracy and has never been. Even in all fifty states constitution you will not find
Report Post »the word Democracy in them our country is a Republic the founding fathers did every thing thay could to keep us from being a Democracy. James Madison knowed how bad a Democracy would be for our country he said Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.
WhereIsTheAmericanDream
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:39pm@Bernbart
It’s a Republic, dumbass. Gee, Pledge of Allegiance much?
Report Post »ArmyStandard
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:57pmReally!? So you had better take down ALL Billboards in the area.. Because those morons are traveling at highway speeds, with all sorts of adds and distractions; and these idiots are worried about people driving at the most 25 in a residential area??? No.. I call B.S. Had it been a “hilal,” star and crescent moon.. (representing islamic faith) people would have been fine, “Oh! Its their religious freedom” B.S.
Next, you wont be able to have a 10ft flagpole with the Stars and Stripes on itin your yard, and their reason will be that low flying aircraft may strike it.
“I dont like turning around and having a cross staring at me”
B**** LOOK AT THE ROAD!
Nuff said.
Report Post »ArmyStandard
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:02pmGlad he got to keep it though.. Keep up the good fight.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:07amre : “I dont like turning around and having a cross staring at me
Report Post »***
Did anyone see any eyes on the cross? Really she sounds like she’s losing it with that statement!
charliego
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:52pm‘One tiny step for man, one giant step for mankind’. (to paraphrase an iconic statement) GOD bless this gentleman for standing tall. GOD moves in mysterious ways; I am thinking and hoping HE hears our thanksgiving and prayers to return this wonderful Nation back to HIM.
Report Post »saranda
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:59pmThe iconic statement was mis-said. Should have ben “one small step for A man, one giant step for mankind”. Makes much more sense this way and is not contradictory.
Report Post »NuffSaid
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:52pmMaybe the city just has better thing to do with its money. Maybe there are peopl on the city council who are Christian. I don’t care which, look like a small miracle to me.
Bless you, Mr. Racaniello. You are a great American.
Report Post »georgeisn6
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:50pmcommunists 0 freedom 1
Report Post »georgeisn6
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:49pmcommies 0 Americans 1
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:58pmHuh? His was fighting to keep a CROSS on our OWN property… How are we winning? I know what you mean, but we would be winning if it were the other way around. This guy was tied up in court, litigation, fines etc. The Constitution clearly states in 1A and 4A that to [even] consider removing the Cross on his PRIVATE property is Unconstitutional! We are not truly free when this BS is happening more and more….
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:41pmThis stuff happens all the time, you just don‘t hear about it because people don’t fight it.
Report Post »No free people will EVER stay free without constantly fighting the creeping oppression that government, by nature, pushes on its populace.
TheDebtWeAllPay
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:47pmgood for him he has that right as an American to put what ever he wants onto his property
Report Post »CatB
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:45pmWE are winning .. one fight at a time.
TEA!
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 2:43pmGreat… now let us CARRY in NJ before the thugs/terrorists start picking us off like ducks in a pond!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 3:19pmThank God, we got a Repubican Governor and House in Ohio. We are carrying and the laws are getting more sensible.
Report Post »And yay for Mr. Racaniello!