UC seal reflects rich history, tradition

I’d like to respond to the submission “Seal does not reflect academia,” which appeared in the Daily Bruin on June 24.

The writer objects to three elements in the University of California seal: the book, the star and the motto. However, their mere presence does not make the seal a religious object, nor does it endorse any particular belief. On the contrary, the seal is an entirely appropriate image for a community of scholars.

Many university seals include a book or books, and writings appear in many formats: scrolls, tablets, books, even e-books. Should one assume that just because there is a book, it is a Bible?

To those of Christian upbringing, a star might indeed evoke the Star of Bethlehem. However, stars occur as symbols in many cultures. The red star, with the hammer and sickle, was a well-recognized icon of the avowedly atheist communist state. Should stars be removed from the U.S. flag because they might be mistaken for a Christian symbol?

“Let there be light” is indeed the English translation of “fiat lux,” a Latin phrase from a creation story. Many expressions derive from antiquity. Should these be excluded merely because of their origin? Creation is an entirely appropriate image for a community that searches for and creates new knowledge. Whether that knowledge be divinely inspired or wrested from the world by our own efforts or something of both, that is left to individual interpretation.

Many schools, colleges, hospitals and even the education of women were begun by religious organizations. As a university, we can celebrate the many traditions that make up today’s society without demanding adherence to any particular belief. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution specifically prohibits the establishment of any state-sponsored religion, even that of secularism.

Dr. Kathleen Moon
Publicity coordinator,
UCLA Department of Music