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In this February 2011 AP file photo, freshmen at the University of Montana, from left, Jake Coburn, Stephanie Ralls and Claire Dal Nogare, visit a statue of Jesus Christ at Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, Mont. An atheist group has filed a lawsuit demanding the removal of this mountaintop Jesus statue on federal land in northwestern Montana after the U.S. Forest Service reversed itself amid an outcry and said the statue could stay. Story here. (AP Photo/Missoulian, Linda Thompson, File)
Question: Are the atheists being intolerant re: decision to leave Jesus statue at Whitfish Mountain Resort?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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Norther on February 08 at 10:35 a.m.
Yes.
fortboise on February 08 at 11:20 a.m.
It’s not a windmill I’d tilt at, personally. I find the fluorescent cross atop Boise’s Table Rock offensive for what it says about religious bigotry and shady political dealings, but life is too short for me to spend time in court about it.
I do love your headline, Dave. Jesus Statue Brings Suit. I’m just sorry you didn’t photoshop an appropriate illustration for it, settling on the amusing (but previously used) “Jesus Statue Brings Ski Gear.”
bcnqrgd on February 08 at 11:46 a.m.
Government should never be in the religion business.
Aaron on February 08 at 12:34 p.m.
Speaking from a non-believer standpoint, I cannot figure why this statue has been on federal land for the last 57 years? If the statue doesn’t endorse the belief in jesus, then what purpose does it serve? I could care less if it stays or goes, I’d like to erect a pink unicorn or a flying spaghetti monster next to “the jesus” to make it fair :) the Feds should let the Buddhists and Muslims have ther fair representation as well.
CdAHumanist on February 08 at 2:58 p.m.
@casinoreverend: I totally agree. It represents one religion and one religion only so does demonstrate government endorsement of Christianity. I’m with you, an FSM adjacent to the statue would look great and be fair. It couldn’t be any worse than the sanctity of Jesus being violated with people putting helmets on his head…..