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Related: About this forumParties wait on judge for next step in fight over Jesus statue
MISSOULA - The parties fighting over the statue of Christ on Big Mountain are still waiting for a federal judge to decide whether the case will go to trial, or be settled without a hearing.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is fighting the U.S. Forest Service's decision to renew the permit for the small statue that was placed on the summit of Big Mountain in the early 1950s. The Knights of Columbus maintain the statue was erected to honor veterans who served in World War 2. But FFRF argues it's actually a religious shrine and shouldn't be allowed on federal property.
The lawsuits were filed last year, and at one point it appeared the matter would be headed to a trial last month. However, the U.S. Forest Service, supported by the other defendants, has asked the court to grant a motion for summary judgment.
The U.S. Forest Service argues in its brief that, "the statue does not reflect a government endorsement of any religious sect or a governmental preference for religion over non-religion" or "any particular religious faith over any other faith" or "the absence of faith". The U.S. Forest Service argues it had a "legitimate secular purpose" in renewing the permit because the Jesus statue has had a "long and significant historical association with the Whitefish Mountain Resort and the surrounding community."
http://www.kaj18.com/news/parties-wait-on-judge-for-next-step-in-fight-over-jesus-statue/
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is fighting the U.S. Forest Service's decision to renew the permit for the small statue that was placed on the summit of Big Mountain in the early 1950s. The Knights of Columbus maintain the statue was erected to honor veterans who served in World War 2. But FFRF argues it's actually a religious shrine and shouldn't be allowed on federal property.
The lawsuits were filed last year, and at one point it appeared the matter would be headed to a trial last month. However, the U.S. Forest Service, supported by the other defendants, has asked the court to grant a motion for summary judgment.
The U.S. Forest Service argues in its brief that, "the statue does not reflect a government endorsement of any religious sect or a governmental preference for religion over non-religion" or "any particular religious faith over any other faith" or "the absence of faith". The U.S. Forest Service argues it had a "legitimate secular purpose" in renewing the permit because the Jesus statue has had a "long and significant historical association with the Whitefish Mountain Resort and the surrounding community."
http://www.kaj18.com/news/parties-wait-on-judge-for-next-step-in-fight-over-jesus-statue/
Hmmm, a Jesus statue that is not indicative of any particular religion. Who woulda thunk?
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Parties wait on judge for next step in fight over Jesus statue (Original Post)
cleanhippie
Apr 2013
OP
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)1. I say it violates the law and they need to take it down.
Government needs to be non-religious.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)2. Unconstitutional.
Keep your Jesus off government land! If you want a Jesus statue, get your own land to put it on!
Phillip McCleod
(1,837 posts)3. A clear violation..
..i've been watching this one awhile and it's exactly the sort of lawsuit that supposedly tarnishes atheists' reputation because it's such 'small fry' or something.
I don't buy it. What's 'small fry' is taking it down. If it really ISN'T religious than what's teh big deal? Long history is nothing. There was a long history of slavery and an even longer history of denying women the right to vote. We got rid of them because it turns out they weren't consistent with the constitution.
Problem solved.