An interesting development in Poland, where the new left-wing party, “Palikot’s Movement,” which got some 40 seats in the most recent election, has demanded the removal of the crucifix that hangs in the Polish parliament (picture of the parliament at right, wooden crucifix at far left).  The reason given for the demand is that the presence of the crucifix violates the constitutional guarantee of a secular state.  The story reports that at least some of the resistance to removing the crucifix stems from its political and cultural importance in recent Polish history, including the role of the Catholic Church in overthrowing communism.  — MOD