WHITEFISH – Standing in solidarity with the Jesus statue on Big Mountain, a capacity crowd filled the Whitefish VFW hall last week as Montana lawmakers rallied around the memorial.
The statue, situated on a 25-by-25-foot patch of leased Flathead National Forest land, was issued a U.S. Forest Service permit in 1953 and built by the Knights of Columbus No. 1328 as a memorial for World War II veterans. It is located near the top of Chair 2 at Whitefish Mountain Resort.
In August, the Forest Service denied the statue’s 10-year lease renewal, calling it an inappropriate use of public land and possibly in violation of the Establishment Clause in the U.S. Constitution.
A Wisconsin-based group Freedom From Religion Foundation took credit for the decision.
The Forest Service rescinded its decision, however, after public outcry. Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg, a Republican running for U.S. Senate in 2012 against incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, has become an outspoken advocate for the statue, and spoke at the Nov. 10 rally.
Rehberg said the statue should not be a political issue, but rather an opportunity for Montanans to come together. He also asserted that the Big Mountain Jesus is an important community memorial.
“(The statue) is not religious, it’s talking about welcoming back soldiers of World War II of all faiths,” Rehberg said.
On Nov. 7, Rehberg proposed a land swap for the statue’s piece of federal land. At the Whitefish rally, he told the crowd that land swap legislation would be a last resort for keeping the statue where it has been located for nearly 60 years.
Rehberg praised veterans for their service and thanked the Knights of Columbus for maintaining the statue. He told the enthusiastic crowd that the more written support there is for the statue during the Forest Service’s comment period, the better. The comment period ends on Dec. 8.
“We’re going to do everything we possibly can,” Rehberg said, adding a new motto for the group’s efforts: “Hey, hey, let him stay.”
State Sen. Ryan Zinke, R-Whitefish, who is running for lieutenant governor, told the hall that the Jesus fixture transcends religion. It represents freedom of expression, he said.
“It’s more than a symbol of Jesus,” Zinke said. “It represents our will as a people in the valley.”
Zinke said the government is overstepping its bounds on this issue, and criticized “bureaucrats” for enforcing rules as if they were laws. He told the crowd he is confident that they will succeed in saving Big Mountain Jesus.
“Let me tell you, from this (Navy) SEAL who was a commander of SEAL Team 6, it’s not going anywhere,” Zinke said, adding later: “At times you have to stand up and you have to push back.”
State Rep. Bill Beck, R-Whitefish, said he has been in discussion with the Forest Service, and the lease renewal looks favorable. However, Beck also told the crowd that litigation might be in store if the permit is renewed.
During the question and answer portion of the rally, crowd members asked statue supporters to remain vigilant against potential vandalism.
Public comment on the Jesus statue can be written and sent to the Forest Service via email, mail or fax. Emails can be sent to [email protected], with “Knights of Columbus Special Use Permit Reauthorization Project” in the subject line.
Mailed and faxed comments should be addressed to Project Leader Derek Milner, Tally Lake Ranger District, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901. The fax number is (406) 758-5367.
Hand-delivered comments should be submitted between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excluded.