Contact: Dan Zanoza, 217-314-0211, springfieldnativityscene@xmail99.com; Tom Brejcha, Legal Counsel, Thomas More Society, 312-782-1680, 312-590-3408 cell; Melissa Harman, TC Public Relations, 312-422-1333, melissa@tcpr.net
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Oct. 7 /Christian
Newswire/ -- The Springfield Nativity Scene Committee (SNSC),
chaired by Dan Zanoza of Lincoln, Illinois, has announced
that the State of Illinois has granted the SNSC permission
to celebrate the religious meaning of Christmas. A Nativity
Scene will be on display in the lobby of the Illinois State
Capitol Building from December 2nd until December 28th 2008
in Springfield. The Nativity Scene, which will be designed
and constructed by Karl Fritz, a Chicago-based builder, will
be in an alcove just adjacent to the Capitol Rotunda, and
will include figurines representing the Baby Jesus, Mary and
Joseph and a replica of a stable.
Zanoza, a free lance journalist and political analyst,
commented: "While we're still looking through the archives,
to date we have found no sign of any public recognition of
the religious significance of Christmas in our State Capitol
for at least the last two decades. There has been a
Christmas tree in the Capitol Rotunda for many years, but in
recent years even that's been re-named as a 'Holiday tree.'
I didn't fully realize how important this project was, until
after the SNSC was given permission from the Secretary of
State's office to put up the Nativity Scene. This is
historic."
Hundreds of towns and cities across Illinois believe such
expressions of faith in the public square are somehow in
violation of the Constitution. But the opposite is true. The
truth is, as long as such exhibits are financed, sponsored
and built by private citizens, the display of a crčche,
Menorah or other religious symbol or icon on public property
is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
and the State Constitution. The hope of the SNSC is the
Nativity Scene in our Illinois Capitol Building will
encourage other people of faith to express their religious
views and also reassure public officials they need not fear
any legal liability when they respect - and protect - the
fundamental right of citizens to proclaim faith-based values
in the public square.
The display, which will be located in the East Hall of the
Capitol Building, will be financed exclusively through
tax-deductible private donations.
Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel at the
Chicago-based Thomas More Society, said: "We are honored to
provide legal counsel in support of this project which is
long overdue. The right of private citizens to proclaim
their religious faith and faith-based values in the public
square was upheld in 1989 when Chief Judge James B. Parsons
of the federal district court in Chicago held there could be
no discrimination against religious expression on Daley
Plaza in Chicago where, ever since, a Nativity Scene has
been displayed annually. As political speeches and rallies
are commonplace at our State Capitol, free speech rights
encompass religious speech on equal terms."
Special noon hour concerts may be held near the Nativity
Scene each day the Capitol building will be open through
December 28th, and the SNSC invites any Christian
congregation whose choir would like to put on a concert to
contact Tom Brejcha promptly so the necessary "special
permit" application for each such concert can be timely
prepared and filed.
Finally, the SNSC will also offer its assistance and legal
counsel to any Illinois citizens who may wish to put up a
Nativity Scene in a public forum in their own communities.
The SNSC's goal is to one day have a Nativity Scene
displayed in the public square of every town, village and
hamlet throughout our State, if residents in those
communities desire it be so.
For more information, please contact:
Dan Zanoza, Chair / Spokesman
cell: 217-314-0211,
springfieldnativityscene@xmail99.com
Tom Brejcha, Thomas More Society, Legal Counsel
office: 312-782-1680 cell: 312-590-3408
Melissa Harman, TC Public Relations
office: 312-422-1333
melissa@tcpr.net