U.S. says Jesus can stay on mountain – for now
U.S. says Jesus can stay on mountain – for now
The mountaintop Jesus can stay at a northwest Montana ski resort — for now.
The religious statue, which has been on federal land since 1955, was allowed to remain in place for at least 10 more years after the U.S. Forest Service reversed its eviction order Tuesday. The initial decision came amid heated debate over the separation of church and state.
The agency had faced a firestorm of criticism from religious groups, the state's congressman and residents after it decided last year to boot the Jesus statue from its hillside perch in the trees above Whitefish.
After the agency's about-face, opponents promised a lawsuit within the week. They argue the statue's free placement on federal land is unconstitutional.
The statue has been a curiosity at the famed Big Mountain ski hill for decades, mystifying skiers with its appearance in the middle of the woods as they cruise down a popular run.
The Forest Service said in its original decision that case law was stacked against such a statue. They previously argued rules prevented the federal government from favoring or promoting religion.
The latest decision renews a 10-year special-use permit for the Knights of Columbus Council, members of which placed the statue there.
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- Posted on January 31, 2012
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I personally think that they should take it down. Why? because its against the 1st amendment. Even if it doesn't hurt anyone that doesn't mean someone won't get offended. Keeping it there is just making problems by showing that clearly that this ski resort favors Christianity more than it does any other religion, and here in America we favor equality. That's why they should take it down.
they can't say that because they don't even know where is Jesus and they can't even see him in the Montana what i mean they said he can stay but he is not here because he is not human and he is in heaven so i don't think this kind of idea is good and idon't think i'm goone agree with them because i don't think it is good and they don't have to think like that .
i belive that people should leave that up their even if people do not belive beucase he is the one that made the earth.
I don't see why people want the statue down, even if your not a Christian who cares. The statue doesn't harm anyone or put them in danger so why would they take it down?
I am a catholic so I say keep the statue it's not hurting anyone. Is it? So what if some people don't like it! A lot of other people like for it to stay! If you don't like the statue it doesn't mean you have to remove it! Be sides what are they going to do with the extra land if they take it off the mountain?
The statue has been there for decades so it wouldn't be right if they take it down. What happened to the freedom of religion? This is expressing religion. The statue isn't hurting anyone. If something has been there for that length of time then why change now and decide that it should be moved?
Personally I believe that it is not right for them to put this statue up on this mountain. People also ski down the mountain and many of them may or may not be Christian. So it isn't fair for a christian group to put up a statue of Jesus in a public place where people of other religions ski. If Christians can put up a Jesus statue, Hindu's should be allowed to put up a statue of Vishnu, or Buddhists can put up a statue of Buddha. Or even Muslims putting up a statue of Mohammad.
I think that they should leave the statue there. I think this because that seems disrespectful to people who believe in god. I think that the government is being unfair by saying that they don't want it on the mountaintop.
What are they going to do after that? I do and don't believe in Jesus. I've not seen it there because I haven't gone there lately. It would be funny to see it there. Well it's at the top of the world now.
I'm catholic and in my point of view they should keep the statue. Not only is it a sign of religious freedom but it also symbolizes that Jesus is taking care of all the people riding down that mountain. Yeah i understand that some people aren't that religious as other people but still,if they don't like the statue then don't even bother to go to the mountain. If the statue has been up and making people happy for 57 years, i don't think it will hurt if he stays on for another 57 years. The author must have made this article to see what our thought of this situation was.