Sterling Silver Cross

Dress Code Rules Against the Sterling Silver Cross

Both women and men commonly wear the sterling silver cross as a symbol of their religious beliefs. The sterling silver cross is traditionally worn as a symbol of Christianity. Jesus, who was also called Christ, was crucified on a cross as a sacrifice for the sins of man. Christians wear the sterling silver cross as a reminder of this sacrament. Some variations of the sterling silver cross include Jesus on them, while others do not.

Some companies have made rules against the sterling silver cross because of it religious affiliation. Policymakers contend that wearing such religious symbols might have negative implications on some employees. They hold that if an employee is allowed to wear outward statements of their religion, it might appear that the company is favoring one religion over the other. In 2003, a librarian at a public library was fired because she refused to take off her cross pendant. Was the company operating within the bounds of the law by firing the woman?

It seems that rules against employees wearing a sterling silver cross, or any other religious symbol, are clearly a violation of the first amendment, which grants not only the freedom of speech, but also the freedom of religion. Not only could such rules be deemed unconstitutional, the company could face civil charges for violating the rights grated by the rights granted by the first amendment. In the case of the librarian, a federal judge ruled that the company was indeed violating the first amendment.

As our country become more diverse, the question of what are acceptable expressions of speech and religion is being raised more and more. It will be up to the judges and other members of the judicial branch of government to decide what is a clear violation of the citizens’ constitutional rights.