Help Knights of Columbus Save Jesus Statue in Montana

December 07, 2011 - 2:18 PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

PLANO, TX (December 7, 2011) - Tis' the season to save Jesus from being torn down in Whitefish, Montana. Liberty Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting religious freedoms, is working on behalf of the local Kalispell Knights of Columbus chapter, who erected the statue of Jesus in 1953 to honor the 10th Mountain Division soldiers who fought during WWII. Liberty Institute is asking all those who support the Knights of Columbus and this war memorial to make certain their voices are heard. The period for public comments closes tomorrow, December 8, 2011.

To ensure your comments are recorded properly, email comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us with the subject line: "Knights of Columbus Special Use Permit Reauthorization Project". If you prefer to fax your comments, address them to: Project Leader Derek Milner, Tally Lake Ranger District, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; FAX (406) 758-5367. To call and voice your concerns directly, please see the end of this document for additional information.

For over 50-years the Big Mountain Jesus statue has never been the source of controversy. It was only when atheist group, Freedom From Religion Foundation, became aware of the monument that the battle to defend this memorial began. The Wisconsin-based group says that since Jesus stands on federal property held by the United States Forest Service, that it is a violation of church and state. The group is urging the Forest Service not to reauthorize the Knights' permit for the statue. Those defending the statue, however, say the statue should remain because it was erected as a memorial for WWII soldiers.

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Much of the mountain land on which Jesus stands is currently leased to a ski resort and Hiram Sasser, an attorney for Liberty Institute, notes that "When the government allows its property to be used for various purposes, like a ski resort, then they open it up to public expression, and they can't exclude a memorial based on religious grounds."

Forest Supervisor Chip Weber issued the decision to deny the lease renewal in August, though the renewals have been granted every 10 years since 1955. Due to the public outcry over the decision the Flathead National Forest officials asked for the public to voice their thoughts on the issue. A final decision on whether or not to allow the Jesus statue to remain where it has stood all these years, will be made in early 2012.

Please ensure your voice is heard today and the statue of Jesus is protected. In addition to sending your emails and faxes, also take a moment and call any or all of the following individuals who are influential in the decision to renew the lease and allow this memorial to stay.

Chip Weber, Flathead National Forest Supervisor
(406) 758-5208

Brian Schweitzer, Governor, State of Montana
(406) 444-3111

Denny Rehberg
U.S. House of Representatives, Montana Congressman
D.C. Office: (202) 225-3211

Jon Tester, U.S. Senate, Montana Senator
Kalispell Office: (406) 257-3360

Max Baucus, U.S. Senate, Montana Senator
Kalispell Office: (406) 756-1150

Liberty Institute works to uphold First Amendment freedoms in the courts, legislature and public square. For more information about Liberty Institute and its current cases, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org

Contact

Liberty Institute
http://www.LibertyInstitute.org
TX, 75075 US
Gabrielle Nolen - Public Affairs Writer and Director,

Keywords

JESUS, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, MONTANA, CALL TO ACTION, CATHOLIC, CHRISTIAN

Category

US Archdiocese & Diocese

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