Cross and religion

Re “A broader view of the symbolism of the cross,” Sept. 13

This article left me aghast. First, U.S. District Judge Larry Burns, in his opinion, states that “depending on the context in which the cross is displayed, the cross may evoke no particular religious impression at all.” This sounds like a line that a debate team would use.

Then The Times, in searching for views on the judge’s decision, interviewed representatives of religious organizations, along with the dean of Religious Life at USC. The church representatives, as could be anticipated, expressed support for the decision. In his response, the USC dean stated, “Elements of Christianity have shaped our national civic religion.”

Before this, I was unaware of our “national civic religion.”

Jim Throgmorton

Seal Beach