Jesus removed

For nearly 60 years, a statue of Jesus has graced the side of Big Mountain in Montana – a memorial constructed to honor World War II veterans by members of the 10th Mountain Division – war heroes. Now, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an atheist group dedicated to destroying the religious heritage and foundation of this nation, is fighting to have it removed. The statue of Jesus was made to replicate the shrines seen across the European countryside, which these heroes said gave them comfort as they fought to defend our nation and our way of life. Until now, the U.S. Forest Service had leased the small plot of land the statue stands on, cared for by the Knights of Columbus and many veterans of the 10th Mountain Division; but because of FFRF’s complaint, the U.S. Forest Service may refuse to renew the long-standing lease, forcing the time-honored display to go. The ACLJ is taking a stand, fighting to keep this display – this memorial that has meant so much to those who sacrificed their lives for our country – in place. Stand with the ACLJ, and sign our letter to the Forest Service demanding that the lease be renewed. Every time the FFRF and other anti-Christian groups mount an attack on our nation’s heritage, the ACLJ has been there to stand in the gap, to defend the National Day of Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Motto. This time they are stepping up their vicious rhetoric, calling this nearly 60-year-old war memorial “a ruse and a sham.” The U.S. Forest Service initially bought in to FFRF’s ridiculous argument, refusing to renew the lease. However, when the local community voiced their outrage at the assault on this war memorial, the Forest Service agreed to reconsider the lease and solicited public comment. That is why your voice is so important. If there was any question about the constitutionality of this display, the fact that the Forest Service is opening up to public comment should make it clear that this is not a constitutional crisis but just more political correctness run amuck. Join us in voicing your support for this statue of Jesus atop Big Mountain – a memorial that has meant so much to the World War II heroes of the 10th Mountain Division. Sign the ACLJ’s letter to the Forest Service demanding that this memorial be allowed to remain intact and that the lease be renewed. We have met these outrageous anti-Christian challenges before, and together we will do it again. Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel