Written by Don Byrd
The official seal of DeLand, Florida, includes a heart, an anchor, and a cross. The seal has been in place for 131 years, apparently without complaint, until now. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State has sent a letter to the city on behalf of a resident, requesting the religious symbols be removed from the insignia.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that city officials insist the symbol has great historic significance and does not give the appearance of religious endorsement. Not everyone agrees:
Historical value aside, at least one local leader associated with Americans United said the seal effectively endorses the Christian faith as the official religion of the city.
“Clearly that symbol makes it clear that non-Christians are not fully accepted and that the city of DeLand has established Christianity as their city religion,” said Rabbi Merrill Shapiro of Temple Shalom in Deltona, who is also president of Americans United’s Flagler County chapter, as well as president of the group’s national board of trustees.
“The constitution of the state of Florida says you cannot establish a religion,” he said.
You can view the seal in question here. What do you think? Just a historic marker with no appearance of endorsement? Or a sign that non-Christians lack full acceptance?
