[ThirdOfFive]

This is amusing for a couple of reasons. First is the asinine policy on the part of the powers-that-be in TV, of responding ONLY to the homeowner in question when a violation against that homeowner is reported. What that means is that you can be reported for having a little white cross next to the corner of your picket fence, barely visible from the street, but the guy next door could have a dozen of them stuck wherever in HIS lawn and unless a report is made about him, nothing will happen to him.

Second is that this is a HUGE can of worms for the powers-that-be. The original Villager claims that they can display the cross, and to make them remove it violates their rights under the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but crosses in yards are far from the only religious symbols displayed in yards. Statues of The Buddha, cement angels, BVM shrines (AKA "Our Lady of the Bathtub"), stars of David, etc. are all out there on display in various yards and can be seen by anyone driving through the various neighborhoods. This case is apparently currently on appeal after a local judge ruled against the couple with the cross.

So--if this couple eventually wins, what does the powers-that-be in TV do? Will the people who favor the removal of the crosses bring some sort of action? How about those Buddha statues, cement angels, etc.? And how about the "unequal enforcement" element? I doubt that those powers-that-be want to be confronted with ANY of those questions, and possibly more, which will happen if they lose. Hence, it appears that The Villages is drawing this out as long as they can, hoping against hope that this couple will just quietly acquiesce, run out of money to pay their attorneys, move, or otherwise cease to be an issue.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by judylovesflamingos

I solved the pink flamingo dilemma by having them on my name & address sign!

Welcome to TOTV.
There have been many fixes suggested, but the original couple dug in their heels and will not follow the deed restrictions.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Welcome to TOTV.
There have been many fixes suggested, but the original couple dug in their heels and will not follow the deed restrictions.

Yup! Think you got the gist of it. They, like many here, are prone to view the rules and regulations as unreasonable suggestions. Worth ignoring. When finally called out, they argue like a karen, with all the "what about them's", and "I have rights", and all the other irrelevant arguments. Each case is an individual situation. Like vehicles speeding. The police can't get everyone. They get one driver / law breaker, then go after another. Rule breakers have already demonstrated they can't be trusted. Expect them to try any tactic/argument no matter how irrelevant, ridiculous or untrue. This one is supposedly about religion. Why in the lawn or garden? Why not tastefully above the door? Is it truly about religion? Or is that just a ruse, red herring? I don't know. But they did break the rule. 🫠😉

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

This is amusing for a couple of reasons. First is the asinine policy on the part of the powers-that-be in TV, of responding ONLY to the homeowner in question when a violation against that homeowner is reported. What that means is that you can be reported for having a little white cross next to the corner of your picket fence, barely visible from the street, but the guy next door could have a dozen of them stuck wherever in HIS lawn and unless a report is made about him, nothing will happen to him.

Second is that this is a HUGE can of worms for the powers-that-be. The original Villager claims that they can display the cross, and to make them remove it violates their rights under the Florida Religious Freedom Restoration Act, but crosses in yards are far from the only religious symbols displayed in yards. Statues of The Buddha, cement angels, BVM shrines (AKA "Our Lady of the Bathtub"), stars of David, etc. are all out there on display in various yards and can be seen by anyone driving through the various neighborhoods. This case is apparently currently on appeal after a local judge ruled against the couple with the cross.

So--if this couple eventually wins, what does the powers-that-be in TV do? Will the people who favor the removal of the crosses bring some sort of action? How about those Buddha statues, cement angels, etc.? And how about the "unequal enforcement" element? I doubt that those powers-that-be want to be confronted with ANY of those questions, and possibly more, which will happen if they lose. Hence, it appears that The Villages is drawing this out as long as they can, hoping against hope that this couple will just quietly acquiesce, run out of money to pay their attorneys, move, or otherwise cease to be an issue.

If the Villages allows the crosses and makes the exception, it opens up the possibility that anyone against it, will retaliate by putting up religious symbols that are known to be offensive.

The pagan symbol. The Church of Satan symbol. The Muslim symbol. For those antisemites in the room, the Star of David. Buddha, faeries, a yin/yang statuette, shinto, confuscian, the swastika (which was originally a religious symbol), the baha'i faith symbol, or hey how about the ancient Egyptian god Min, who is most appropriately depicted as having a HUGE phallus?

If you root for the white crosses, you MUST also root for all the above - and more. If you have a problem with any of the above, then you must root against the white crosses.

"Religious freedom" applies to all religions. It's either allowed to be expressed on the lawn, or it isn't.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by ROCKETMAN

What is the status of the case of the villages against the house with the little white crosses. I know they owed a lot of fines but I thought they took it to court. I just started walking and in my travels along Bailey trail around sea breeze I have seen 6 or 7 houses with the white crosses. Some have them stuck in flower pots. The most innovative one was 3 crosses stuck inside the lani which faces the road but clearly visible from the road.

Do three crosses make you a better Christian than one?

[Caymus]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

If the Villages allows the crosses and makes the exception, it opens up the possibility that anyone against it, will retaliate by putting up religious symbols that are known to be offensive.

The pagan symbol. The Church of Satan symbol. The Muslim symbol. For those antisemites in the room, the Star of David. Buddha, faeries, a yin/yang statuette, shinto, confuscian, the swastika (which was originally a religious symbol), the baha'i faith symbol, or hey how about the ancient Egyptian god Min, who is most appropriately depicted as having a HUGE phallus?

If you root for the white crosses, you MUST also root for all the above - and more. If you have a problem with any of the above, then you must root against the white crosses.

"Religious freedom" applies to all religions. It's either allowed to be expressed on the lawn, or it isn't.

How other does this happen outside of The Villages in a typical suburban US town? Besides you, who is living in fear that it could happen?

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by terryf484

Big issue about white crosses, but nothing said about political flags flying year around, some of them not so nice. If not crosses, then make home owners take down their political flags.

Are there any restrictions on flags?

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by mraines

Do three crosses make you a better Christian than one?

Or do no crosses make you a better Christian because you’re following the rules you agreed to when purchasing your home?

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by mraines

Do three crosses make you a better Christian than one?

Good question!
Does planting a "little white cross" even mean you're a Christian? Does growing vegetables mean you're a vegetarian? The answer to both queation is "NO"! 😯

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Or do no crosses make you a better Christian because you’re following the rules you agreed to when purchasing your home?

I say "Yes"! "Give unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's". In other words, don't break you word, don't break the rules, laws. JmHo. 😉

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

If the Villages allows the crosses and makes the exception, it opens up the possibility that anyone against it, will retaliate by putting up religious symbols that are known to be offensive.

The pagan symbol. The Church of Satan symbol. The Muslim symbol. For those antisemites in the room, the Star of David. Buddha, faeries, a yin/yang statuette, shinto, confuscian, the swastika (which was originally a religious symbol), the baha'i faith symbol, or hey how about the ancient Egyptian god Min, who is most appropriately depicted as having a HUGE phallus?

If you root for the white crosses, you MUST also root for all the above - and more. If you have a problem with any of the above, then you must root against the white crosses.

"Religious freedom" applies to all religions. It's either allowed to be expressed on the lawn, or it isn't.

That is not a possibility. That is a guarantee. I've seen it mentioned in The Online Paper That Shall Not Be Named. And I am sure that inevitability is on the collective minds of the powers-that-be in TV. The last thing they'd want is for word to get out that The Villages allows satanic symbols, pentagrams, swastikas, etc. to be freely displayed. Talk about a hit in the ol' pocketbook if that happens. It is yet another reason for those powers to draw this out as long as possible.

There are always those among us who insist on defining their "freedoms" by the lowest common denominator.

[JD Tremor]

Is this horse dead yet?

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by JD Tremor

Is this horse dead yet?

Nah. We're just beginning Act 2 of this particular soap opera. Several more acts (and years) to follow.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Are there any restrictions on flags?

While I haven't looked it up, there is proper flag etiquette. Personally, I find no difference between a political or religious sign on a poster or flag. Political flags, for example, are just signs that are not static. The move with the wind. Inappropriate and offensive. But they don't care.
Just my opinion. Everyone on totv has one, too.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Nah. We're just beginning Act 2 of this particular soap opera. Several more acts (and years) to follow.

Years? I don't think I have many of those left. (Note: I can hear the folks that just said "GOOD!) And I'm having such a good time here! 😃🙃🫠😉