The U.S. Forest Service and the Freedom From Religion Foundation want to remove a 60 year old statue of Jesus from Big Mountain in Whitefish saying that it violates the so called “separation of church and state”.

In 2005, the ACLU wanted Mercer County Kentucky to remove the Ten Commandments from the Mercer County Courthouse, the County fought back and won. The decision from the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals said:

“The ACLU referred repeatedly to ‘the separation of church and state,’ “this is an extra-constitutional construct [that] has grown tiresome. The First Amendment does not demand a wall of separation between church and state. … Our nation’s history is replete with governmental acknowledgment and[,] in some cases, accommodation of religion…. Thus, state recognition of religion that falls short of endorsement is constitutionally permissible.”

This statue is an accommodation of religion not an endorsement. Please make your voice heard today. If you disagree with the move then speak up. The issue is open for public comment until December 8. Comments should be written and sent by email, mail or fax.

Mailed and faxed comments should be addressed to:
Project Leader Derek Milner
Tally Lake Ranger District
50 Wolfpack Way
Kalispell, MT 59901
Fax number: 406-758-5367

The office business hours for those submitting hand-delivered comments are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.