A national foundation dedicated to separation of state and church filed a federal lawsuit against Lehigh County this week. They claim the Latin cross found on the county seal and flag is offensive.
Four local residents, and The Freedom From Religion Foundation, first complained about the seal in November 2014. Then again, atheists opposed its message, in January of last year, creating “a minor firestorm,” according to the foundation. Lehigh County first adopted the county seal in 1944.
Lehigh County Board of Commissioners responded to the group in March 2015. Board members noted, “The cross, one of more than a dozen elements, was included to honor the original settlers of Lehigh County, who were Christian.”
According to the foundation, a supporter of the Latin cross said, “It’s do or die time. Stand up and live our national motto, ‘In God We Trust.’ And Jesus’ words ‘fear not’ should give you strength to win one for the cross. The people of the state’s prayers are with you. Go with God in your effort to prevail over this clear and present evil.”
The back and forth led to the group’s filing of the federal lawsuit. Representatives of the foundation said they “find the presence of the cross on the seal representing the entire county to be exclusionary and offensive, as the cross endorses Christianity and does not reflect the diversity of the population.”
Stephen Meholic, David Simpson, John Berry and Candace Winkler, who joined the lawsuit, endorsed the claim that Lehigh County is violating the First and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The foundation wrote in a statement, the purpose of the Latin cross is religious, not secular, and it “has the primary effect of both advancing religion and expressing defendant’s preference for Christianity above all other religions and nonreligion.”
The plaintiffs said the “exclusionary” seal is displayed on governmental property and documents, such as on letterhead, numerous official county forms and reports, the county’s website, a display in the Board of Commissioners meeting room, and even on flags prominently displayed at the entrance of county buildings.
“Lehigh County is not a Christian county, it should be equally welcoming to all its citizens regardless of their religion or their reject of religion. A redesign to comply with the Constitution is imperative,” said foundation co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.
The federal lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
