The KU Seal Debacle

Let me begin with some basic information about the seal of the University of Kansas.  Created by our first chancellor in the 1860s, it depicts a scene from the biblical book of Exodus in which Moses kneels in reverence before the burning bush.  The Latin phrase "videbo visionem hanc magnum quare non comburheur pubus" translates as "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt."  Moses is depicted as a humble scholar in the unquenchable pursuit of knowledge as presented by the fire, which often represents knowledge in myths and legends.

KU's seal has been a part of this university for over 130 years.  No one has ever had a problem with it.  It lasted through the bitter protests of the 1960s and 70s, which the Union did not (it burned to the ground).  If the ACLU gets its way, though, the seal may not survive into the next century.  A fellow KU student told me that every year the KU chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union needs an issue to fuss over.  Past ones have included homosexuality and abortion; this year the ACLU is going after our seal.  The organization is currently in an "investigative" phase in which it is questioning whether the seal violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment which they believe "mandates a strict wall of separation between church and state" (from the KU ACLU website).  Actually, all the Establishment Clause says is that the government cannot establish an official state religion; the church and state separation evolved out of this over the years.
  Like it or not this country was found on Judeo-Christian beliefs (mostly by male WASPs).  It only makes sense that symbols of this faith be found everywhere in our culture, even in a republic where everyone is free to follow the religion of their choice.  Moses on KU's seal is not advocating Judaism or Christianity.  It is advocating the search for knowledge in a symbolic way.  It would be no different if Prometheus were depicted on our seal giving fire, once again a symbol of knowledge, to humans.  If KU were in an Eastern country dominated by Buddhism it is quite likely that Buddha would be on our seal, and even as a Christian I would have no problem with it.  As a figure vitally important to many cultures of the East, it only makes sense that Buddha would be displayed prominently in all sorts of places, just as one finds hints of Christianity scattered throughout America.
  The ACLU is making an issue out of a non-issue here.  This power hungry organization needs to remember why it was founded--to protect the rights of those who are being oppressed.  Is Moses oppressing anyone?  He rests peacefully in front of Budig Hall and graces us with his presence on our KU cards.  Other than that he does not enter the lives of those who do not wish it.  This is the way it is and should be.