It has often been reported that the “Jesus shrine” on the Big Mountain was intended as a war memorial for WWII veterans who lost their lives. This turns out not to be the case at all.

A Whitefish Pilot article recently obtained dated Sept.10, 1954, clearly indicates that the shrine was not originally intended as a “war memorial.” The article includes a statement by L.J. Reed,  who was “chairman of the [Knights of Columbus] shrine committee,” declaring that the statue was not intended as a war memorial but instead, upon the suggestion of several of the world’s leading (Catholic) skiers, as a replica of similar shrines on other ski runs around the world.

As Mr. Reed is quoted as saying in the article, “I am of the firm belief that Our Lord himself selected this site...”

I hope that given this clear and definitive evidence as to the statue’s origins as a religious shrine and not as a “war memorial,” as well as its continuing violation of the Establishment Clause, the Forest Service will decide to follow the initial decision to not renew the lease and seek removal of the shrine.

In light of this Whitefish Pilot article, our ongoing commitment to upholding the Establishment Clause of the Constitution and in an effort to work together with the community for a common cause, the Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association has submitted the following proposal to the Forest Service:

“This proposal is written in an effort to resolve the Big Mountain Jesus Shrine controversy with the best possible outcome for everyone involved — veterans, the Knights of Columbus, the U.S. Forest Service, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association and the public at large. The proposal is as follows:

“1) For the Forest Service to deny the current permit and to request that the Knights of Columbus remove the shrine in a timely manner (by May 2012?).

“2) For interested parties, forming an umbrella organization, to immediately begin a fund-raising campaign to purchase and erect a non-sectarian, religious symbolism-free WWII memorial statue on the same site.

“3) Once the umbrella organization is established (01/12?), for the U.S. Forest Service to approve a special-use permit to that umbrella organization for placement of the Big Mountain Veterans Memorial Statue (suggested name) at the current site.

“4) For any additional funds, raised in excess of that required for the statue purchase and placement, to be used for any repair and restoration needed to the original Jesus Shrine as a result of its movement.

“This plan would avoid any potential Establishment Clause legal issues, save the taxpayers legal costs, honor all of our veterans, work to preserve the current shrine on private land, provide a forum for the various groups to work together instead of against each other, and although the statue would be different, the site would remain an integral part of the Big Mountain ski culture.

“Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.”

For these reasons, I hope this or a similar plan is adopted by the Forest Service upon making their decision.

Ian Cameron, of Whitefish, is spokesperson for the Flathead Area Secular Humanist Association.