4 things to keep in mind when deciding what to do with offensive symbols

South Carolina did it. It removed a “permanently” raised Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds. Now the leaders of the National Cathedral have a decision to make: Will the Jackson-Lee windows—windows extolling the Christian faith and virtue of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, and featuring images of the Confederate flag—stay or go?

According to Kevin Eckstrom, the cathedral’s communications director, it could be more than a year before a decision is made. And it’s not the cathedral dean’s decision to make. We know where he stands: take them out.

I suspect the National Cathedral is not alone. Many places of worship discover that symbols in their sacred space, however well intentioned when they were installed, now cause pain, confusion, and exclusion. How do you decide which ones stay and which ones should make a speedy exit?