submitted by Arlene Sawicki
History is about to be made at the Illinois Capitol Building in Springfield as The Springfield Nativity Scene Committee has been granted a permit to display a Nativity Scene in the East Corridor, adjacent to the Rotunda, from the day of dedication on December 2 to December 28, 2008. A Christmas tree [now politically correct called a “Holiday” tree] has stood in the Rotunda for many years – never a Nativity Scene.
The hope of the Committee is to give honor to Our Lord and Savior with this beautiful public display during the national legal holiday of Christmas and to encourage other Christian citizens throughout Illinois that the fundamental right to display religious symbols or icons in the public square is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Chicago-based Thomas More Society is honored to provide legal counsel in support of this project.
A legal precedent was set 10 years ago when the Chicago Nativity Scene Committee won their case in court to set up a Nativity Scene in the Daley Plaza in Chicago.
Recently, the Illinois Chapter of the ACLU has stated that it would not file a challenge in court over this display as they acknowledge that “depicting the birth of Jesus is a form of free speech in the public forum.”
Special noon hour concerts may be held each day around the Nativity Scene until December 28. The combined choirs of St. Alexander Church in Villa Park will lead Christmas carols at noon on dedication day, December 2. Christian congregations are invited to contact the Thomas More Society so that a “special permit” application can be prepared and filed in time. Phone: 312/782-1680. The Capitol Building is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, seven days aweek.
Tax-deductible donations toward the purchase of the beautiful 50” Fontanini marble-based-resin figurines [pictured above] should be made payable by check or money order to: THOMAS MORE SOCIETY. Place “Nativity Scene” on the memo line. Mail to: Thomas More Society, 29 S. LaSalle Street., Suite 440, Chicago, IL 60603. Our goal is to reach $8,000 for this purchase and the construction of the stable scene.
Online donations can be made at www.ThomasMoreSociety.org Press DONATE and make a notation provided there that the donation is to go to the “Nativity Scene.” For further information, phone 217/314-0211 or email: springfieldnativityscene@xmail99.com
An interesting aside to this story is that in the year 1886, an artist had painted murals on the ceiling of the East Corridor of the Capitol Building depicting three women representing, Faith, Hope and Charity. Lady “Faith” holds a cross in her right hand and a Bible in her left. The Constitutional right of freedom of religious expression should be upheld – including the inside of a government building. See: http://www.ilstatehouse.com/1st_floor.htm
