LIBERTY – Controversy is surrounding a carved statue at the Whitewater Memorial State Park.
The 8-foot carving features a soldier, an Indiana state flag with an eagle perched above, and a 14-inch cross at the bottom.
Opposition to the cross has sparked a growing debate over religious icons on state property.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to the Indiana DNR after learning a local resident voiced disapproval of the Christian cross.
The statue was created by Richmond carver Dayle Lewis earlier this summer and paid by donations, many of which came from local veterans, the Palladium-Item in Richmond is reporting.
Debate began following a complaint from retired restaurateur Wendall Bias, an Army veteran, who doesn’t think the cross is appropriate.
FFRF attorney Rebecca Markert wrote, “No secular purpose, no matter how sincere, will detract from the overall message that the Latin cross stands for Christianity and the overall display promotes Christianity. The display of this patently religious symbol in a city park would confer government endorsement of Christianity, a blatant violation of the Establishment Clause.”
The nationwide state-church watchdog group is asking for the cross to be removed or the entire statue be taken from the state park.
The controversial statue has garnered support from local residents and online, as a Facebook group was created to keep the cross on the statue.
DNR officials are now deciding whether to let the cross stay.
This is not the first time the FFRF has targeted a controversial display in Southeastern Indiana, as the group has previously protested a Nativity scene at the Franklin County courthouse lawn.
Whitewater Memorial State Park was dedicated in 1949 to World War II veterans from surrounding counties.
