Giant Glowing Cross (Houston, Roma, St. Jo: home, architecture, car)

[ahzzie]

I was driving down 59 south last night and as I got a little past downtown I noticed a building to the right that had a large illuminated cross on the side. I don’t recall ever seeing this before and was wondering if anyone knew anything about it. I hope it’s not a permanent thing because that would be a huge embarrassment to the city of Houston, especially since we strive so hard to let people know how diverse we are. Having some giant religious symbol hovering over the freeway like that is not good.

[Metro Matt]

St Joseph Professional Building has a new look - HAIF: Houston's Leading Internet Community

[City Love]

I'm surprised that neon cross didn't make the news. Or at least I didn't see it. But I heard about the other 200ft cross off 45S and BW8

[jfre81]

That's actually on the Pierce Elevated (45). I noticed it a month or so ago riding home on the rail.

I really don't care one way or the other about it. St. Joseph is a private Christian entity and it's their property.

[Mayor_McCheese]

Originally Posted by ahzzie

I was driving down 59 south last night and as I got a little past downtown I noticed a building to the right that had a large illuminated cross on the side. I don’t recall ever seeing this before and was wondering if anyone knew anything about it. I hope it’s not a permanent thing because that would be a huge embarrassment to the city of Houston, especially since we strive so hard to let people know how diverse we are. Having some giant religious symbol hovering over the freeway like that is not good.

Go back to Russia

[ahzzie]

Why would I want to go "back" to Russia? I was born in the US.

[jfre81]

In Soviet Russia, cross lights you!

[DrLizardo]

Originally Posted by ahzzie

I hope it’s not a permanent thing because that would be a huge embarrassment to the city of Houston, especially since we strive so hard to let people know how diverse we are. Having some giant religious symbol hovering over the freeway like that is not good.

I don't understand. Are you saying that freedom of religion really means freedom from religion in public life?

I saw the cross while they were building it, but haven't been down the Pierce Elevated to see what it looks like completed. Doesn't seem that a giant glowing cross is going to add all that much to downtown's view.

As far as it being associated with religion, I don't have a problem with it any more than I do with the gigantic Hindu temple I drive by every day. It's their land, their religion, and their right to choose it and practice it freely.

[ahzzie]

Originally Posted by DrLizardo

I don't understand. Are you saying that freedom of religion really means freedom from religion in public life?

Yes that is exactly what I'm saying. I am not religious, never have been, and never will be. That's my right in this country.

[DrLizardo]

Originally Posted by ahzzie

Yes that is exactly what I'm saying. I am not religious, never have been, and never will be. That's my right in this country.

If you're saying that you have a right to be as religious or un-religious as you desire you are absolutely correct. But other people have the same right, and unless there is some non-religious reason why St. Joseph shouldn't be allowed to have a giant glowing cross on the side of their building, there is nothing anyone can do about it. So, that means nobody has a right to drive around the city and not be presented with giant glowing crosses, huge Hindu temples, soaring minarets, car decals of fish (or Darwin fish with legs) or even renditions of the Pastafarian giant spaghetti monster.

I think being a religiously diverse and tolerant country means putting up with not just the stuff we believe in, but with all the stuff that we don't believe in as well.