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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 Junípero 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.