If it weren’t for a Supreme Court decision in the case Epperson v. Arkansas, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this week, it could still be illegal to teach evolution in some public schools.

The cross is not just an interesting geometric pattern. It’s the predominant symbol of the Christian faith. It has power and meaning – for Christians. It is not a generic symbol for memorializing the dead. It simply can’t play that role, and it’s offensive to all, Christians and non-Christians alike, to try to force it to.

The Supreme Court late Friday afternoon agreed to hear a case involving a huge Christian cross displayed, owned and maintained by the state of Maryland – the first case involving religious freedom that the court has agreed to hear this term.