COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — On behalf of the James Dobson Family Institute, Dr. James Dobson issues the following statement in response to the 7-2 ruling by the Supreme Court, rejecting arguments that the "Bladensburg Cross," a 40 foot cross erected on public land in Maryland to honor those from the area who gave their lives in World War I, was an unconstitutional endorsement of religion:
"For decades now, our constitutional rights and the Christian principles upon which they are based have been under sustained and mounting attack by a handful of unelected and imperious justices who have ignored our history, insulted our Constitution, disregarded the original intent of the law, and in so doing presided over a cultural catastrophe in America.
"Thursday's ruling is not only a reaffirmation of the treasured place of religion and religious Americans in the public square, but it also honors the memory of the 49 brave Americans whose sacrifice for freedom is commemorated with the Bladensburg Cross.
"Some will say that the reason the Peace Cross, as it is known, is constitutional is because it has no religious meaning. This is simply not true. Those who built it were well aware that faith was central to the men whose sacrifice is honored at Bladensburg. Indeed, Rep. Stephen Gambrill (D.,Md.) said at the dedication many years ago, 'By the token of this cross, symbolic of Calvary, let us keep fresh the memory of our boys who died for a righteous cause.'
"As Justice Alito noted in writing for the majority, 'The Religion Clauses of the Constitution aim to foster a society in which people of all beliefs can live together harmoniously, and the presence of the Bladensburg Cross on the land where it has stood for so many years is fully consistent with that aim.' In other words, our Constitution does not call for the removal of religion from public life, but rather a divinely given integration of religion in public life.
"There are many decisions to come to protect religious freedom, many more affronts to life, freedom and justice to redress—and more assaults coming from the liberal left. Let us pray and watch and vote. Thank you, President Trump, for appointing justices who respect the Constitution, the freedoms we hold dear, and common sense."
