[Gordon82]

Originally Posted by PennBF

I am as religious as the next guy BUT that does not mean I have the right to force my beliefs on others. This a form of advertising regardless of the reasons given by the ones who post the cross. Think how far this can go if it was allowed. Where does it stop and who is the censor? We all signed the restrictions agreement and if we don't like them now then sell and go where it is allowed to advertise your religion. If you want to be a "Mission" then for God's sake there are a lot of countries who could use Missions and please go to them and help them. The Villages, thankfully don't need missions so your work is misplaced.

Nonsense. If it wasn't a white cross but instead a little white bird no one would say a thing.

[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by PennBF

I am as religious as the next guy BUT that does not mean I have the right to force my beliefs on others. This a form of advertising regardless of the reasons given by the ones who post the cross. Think how far this can go if it was allowed. Where does it stop and who is the censor? We all signed the restrictions agreement and if we don't like them now then sell and go where it is allowed to advertise your religion. If you want to be a "Mission" then for God's sake there are a lot of countries who could use Missions and please go to them and help them. The Villages, thankfully don't need missions so your work is misplaced.

Originally Posted by Gordon82

Nonsense. If it wasn't a white cross but instead a little white bird no one would say a thing.

You are correct, Gordon82, but it isn't nonsense.
Most people would prefer to see a little white bird, not a white cross.
Personally, I find it offensive.
I don't want to see anyone's religious item on their front lawn, or anywhere else that is visible when passing the property.
It is not in good taste and at this stage of the game, I see defiance in those who refuse to remove it.

PennBF is correct in that if you want to carry on the work of a missionary, go somewhere else and do it.
Those crosses do not belong in a residential area. Period!

[Wiotte]

Little white crosses, big white crosses. Very different powerful messages from each. Keep it private, keep it inside. Deed restrictions apply to ALL.


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[Gordon82]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

You are correct, Gordon82, but it isn't nonsense.
Most people would prefer to see a little white bird, not a white cross.
Personally, I find it offensive.
I don't want to see anyone's religious item on their front lawn, or anywhere else that is visible when passing the property.
It is not in good taste and at this stage of the game, I see defiance in those who refuse to remove it.

PennBF is correct in that if you want to carry on the work of a missionary, go somewhere else and do it.
Those crosses do not belong in a residential area. Period!

It doesn't matter one bit if you find it offensive, or what most people prefer. If you want to take the deeds argument, then fine. ALL yard art should be removed. Short of that, a small white cross is not different than anything else that identifies someone as being part of a group (a Patriots fan, a Wisconsin resident, etc.). Your idea of what is in good taste, or my idea of what is in good taste, is not at issue. We're talking about a one foot high white cross, which is much smaller than most other things found in people's front yards in The Villages.

I'm glad you see defiance. I don't have one of those crosses, but if I did I would refuse to remove it. I'm tired of people thinking they have a right to not be offended at someone else's beliefs or opinions to the point of casually throwing away the right of free speech and expression. Should people with a cross on their driveway or lamppost sign be forced to remove those because you are offended? Apparently so, since you don't want to see anything religious when passing someone else's property.

Again, if The Villages wants to take the deed restriction to 100% enforcement, that is fine. But it is not fine to selectively enforce it against yard art that is religious in nature.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Wiotte

Little white crosses, big white crosses. Very different powerful messages from each. Keep it private, keep it inside. Deed restrictions apply to ALL.


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And that says it all

[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by Wiotte

Little white crosses, big white crosses. Very different powerful messages from each. Keep it private, keep it inside. Deed restrictions apply to ALL.


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Originally Posted by Gordon82

It doesn't matter one bit if you find it offensive, or what most people prefer. If you want to take the deeds argument, then fine. ALL yard art should be removed. Short of that, a small white cross is not different than anything else that identifies someone as being part of a group (a Patriots fan, a Wisconsin resident, etc.). Your idea of what is in good taste, or my idea of what is in good taste, is not at issue. We're talking about a one foot high white cross, which is much smaller than most other things found in people's front yards in The Villages.

I'm glad you see defiance. I don't have one of those crosses, but if I did I would refuse to remove it. I'm tired of people thinking they have a right to not be offended at someone else's beliefs or opinions to the point of casually throwing away the right of free speech and expression. Should people with a cross on their driveway or lamppost sign be forced to remove those because you are offended? Apparently so, since you don't want to see anything religious when passing someone else's property.

Again, if The Villages wants to take the deed restriction to 100% enforcement, that is fine. But it is not fine to selectively enforce it against yard art that is religious in nature.

Wiotte -- You made it very simple and without a lot of fanfare.

Gordon82 -- My thoughts must have bothered you greatly since you sent your dissertation (above) via your Iphone.
Let's get something straight. I am not offended by anyone's belief.
But religion is a personal thing and should be practiced in a place of worship or in one's own home, not on a residential front lawn!

You say that one of these crosses is tantamount to someone displaying a Patriots' something-or-other?
Surely you jest???
That small white bird in lieu of a cross is becoming a better and better idea, thanks to your suggestion.

All "yard art" should be removed? I presume you are referring to what I would call junk or an eyesore, however, there are tons of properties that are landscaped beautifully with some unique and different items which add to an overall "wow" look.

The size of a cross is not the issue. The issue is that it is a cross, which could never be considered part of landscaping under any circumstances.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Originally Posted by biker1

How would you know what the "spirit" of the deed restrictions are unless you actually read them? Regardless, the "spirit" doesn't matter. You signed up for a set of rules and should follow them.

Should interpret my deed restrictions to mean that I really can only have two fish in my aquarium and comply, or should I be a scofflaw and sneak a third one in under the radar?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

You are correct, Gordon82, but it isn't nonsense.
Most people would prefer to see a little white bird, not a white cross.
Personally, I find it offensive.
I don't want to see anyone's religious item on their front lawn, or anywhere else that is visible when passing the property.
It is not in good taste and at this stage of the game, I see defiance in those who refuse to remove it.

PennBF is correct in that if you want to carry on the work of a missionary, go somewhere else and do it.
Those crosses do not belong in a residential area. Period!

My friend Ruthie is gone now. Breast cancer took her away. She had on her front door a little Jewish sign that someone gave her affectionately, just as I gave her a star of David necklace, me her Catholic friend.. She was a dear friend to me and my next door neighbor and she had her port for chemo and I had mine when we moved in next to each other in Hadley. We shopped for stuff for our homes and ate lunch out and laughed at the same things. Ruthie was not a religious Jewish girl, didn't do the holidays or keep the Sabbath, but she put up her mezzuza and I touched it each time I went in her door.

Religion or lack of it isn't the dividing factor. It is lack of kindness that divides us. I miss you Ruthie. I think I will find a Mezzuza and put it on my door.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

My friend Ruthie is gone now. Breast cancer took her away. She had on her front door a little Jewish sign that someone gave her affectionately, just as I gave her a star of David necklace, me her Catholic friend.. She was a dear friend to me and my next door neighbor and she had her port for chemo and I had mine when we moved in next to each other in Hadley. We shopped for stuff for our homes and ate lunch out and laughed at the same things. Ruthie was not a religious Jewish girl, didn't do the holidays or keep the Sabbath, but she put up her mezzuza and I touched it each time I went in her door.

Religion or lack of it isn't the dividing factor. It is lack of kindness that divides us. I miss you Ruthie. I think I will find a Mezzuza and put it on my door.

Gracie - I've been to more memorial services for friends in the past year, than in all my prior years. I'm a religious person so I'm not offended at all by the little white crosses. They represent a peace we can believe in now, and realize later. For those who are offended, I'm sorry they don't get it. Some soul searching on their part is in order.


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[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

...I see defiance in those who refuse to remove it...

But you see none in those who refuse to accept it?

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

But you see none in those who refuse to accept it?

[emoji41][emoji106]


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[Mrs. Robinson]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

But you see none in those who refuse to accept it?

Originally Posted by dbussone

[emoji41][emoji106]


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I completely accept everyone's decision to practice the religion of their choice.
I said it before and I'll say it again: Religion is a personal thing.
If you're proud of being a ----- (fill in the blank) -- fine.
However, I fail to see the necessity of displaying it as though it is part of one's landscaping.
It isn't and really doesn't belong there.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

I completely accept everyone's decision to practice the religion of their choice.
I said it before and I'll say it again: Religion is a personal thing.
If you're proud of being a ----- (fill in the blank) -- fine.
However, I fail to see the necessity of displaying it as though it is part of one's landscaping.
It isn't and really doesn't belong there.

How ya feel about Burqa's? They look kinda stand outy to me. I always think they mean that the man IS the man of the house, that folks in the family don't like gay people a lot and they probably won't have a Blessed Virgin in the landscaping. And they look HOT. Worse than bras. But to each their own you say...and I say. I think sometimes some of us including me shouldn't share their thoughts on personal things like religion. It is very tricky these days to get along.

[Wiotte]

Much like our ever expanding universe, the distant between ourselves grows and the attraction that once binded us lessens ever more. Human fractionization by way of religious intolerance is our current reality as it has been through the ages and only through humanistic tolerance can we all get along. Let us now pray...

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

I completely accept everyone's decision to practice the religion of their choice.

I said it before and I'll say it again: Religion is a personal thing.

If you're proud of being a ----- (fill in the blank) -- fine.

However, I fail to see the necessity of displaying it as though it is part of one's landscaping.

It isn't and really doesn't belong there.

I don't have a cross in my yard. Mine is in my home & heart.


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