In an episode of legal stupidity, Los Angeles County has been
coerced into removing a cross from its seal after being threatened
with legal action by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU first warned of a potential lawsuit in a letter to the
Board of Supervisors on May 19. The ACLU contends that the seal is
an unconstitutional violation of the Establishment Clause and is
“an impermissible endorsement of Christianity by the county
government.”
The county seal features six panels surrounding a central image
of the Goddess Pomona, the Roman Goddess of gardens and fruit
trees. Interestingly enough, her presence did not warrant a cry of
religious imposition. Nor did the illustration of a prized dairy
cow. The cow is a sacred animal in the Hindu religion, yet the
cross was the only image targeted by the ACLU.
The panel that depicts the cross places it above a rendering of
the Hollywood Bowl, along with two stars representing the
county’s motion picture and television industries.
Am I the only one who thinks it is ironic that in a city whose
name translates into “The Angels,” people are actually
complaining about the use of religious imagery?
The first amendment to the Constitution was written in part to
allow for the free exercise of a desired faith by individual
citizens and to protect against a government-instituted creed. But
the cross on the county’s seal is in no way a state-sponsored
establishment of religion.
The illustrations on the different panels reflect integral,
historical aspects that have transformed Los Angeles into what it
is. And whether you like it or not, Los Angeles, along with the
rest of California, was forged through Christianity.
California was modernized by the influences of Catholic
colonization. Franciscan missionaries such as Father JunÃpero
Serra were responsible for the creation of several missions
throughout the state with the intention of teaching the American
Indians Christianity. These missions were not only responsible for
a religious presence, but they also established a Spanish occupancy
in California. Spaniards constructed El Camino Real, a statewide
road more than 700 miles long, to connect these missions.
Furthermore, presidios were built to preserve each mission’s
security. Christianity became the key to Spanish expansion.
These missions were meant not only to teach Christianity, but
also contemporary farming techniques. The European settlement in
California was directly influenced by Catholicism. The area now
known as Los Angeles has it roots in these early communities, and
that heritage must be remembered.
Several of California’s most important and populous cities
are named for Catholic Saints. Even the name of the state’s
capital, Sacramento, is thought to be derived from the Catholic
tradition of the sacrament. No one contends the names of the cities
are endorsements of Christianity. It is well understood that their
existence is more a matter of history than religion.
The ACLU knows no one is going to see the cross on the seal and
believe that Los Angeles County is Vatican West. Its actions are in
no way about protecting civil liberties, but are rather about a
self-indulgent crusade to rid America of sights it doesn’t
like seeing.
How far must this insanity go? Must everything with a
governmental tie be completely devoid of any religious
connection?
The Staples Center was partially paid for with public funds.
Does that mean the Lakers need to get rid of Shaquille O’Neil
because every time he comes to the free-throw line the crowd
collectively says “Oh God”?
The Board of Supervisors sadly caved to the demands of the ACLU.
The board felt that similar cases in Illinois and New Mexico and
the subsequent rulings against the government did not bode well for
its cause. But this matter deserved to go to court. Not only does
the county of Los Angeles have every right to proclaim the
importance behind its beautiful seal, but the extremist influence
of the ACLU must also be curbed. Bowing to its will merely
encourages its tyrannical campaign.
Pfohl is a fourth-year history and political science
student. E-mail him at jpfohl@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments
to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.