IFI EXCLUSIVE: Christmas Came Early This Year: Springfield Nativity Scene Will Become Reality In State's Capitol
 | The Nativity Scene is on display for the thousands who pass through Daley Center Plaza during the month of December. Now, a Nativity Scene will be exhibited in the East Hall of the capitol building in Springfield. |
Every year since 1989 a Nativity Scene has been on display in Chicago's Daley Civic Center plaza. Unfortunately, such outward displays of faith are becoming more rare. Groups like the ACLU have successfully intimidated many villages, cities and municipalities into thinking expressions of faith displayed on public property are unconstitutional.
With the help of the dominant media, most Americans believe this to be true, but it is not. That is why some very good people encouraged me to apply for a permit which would allow a Nativity Scene to be displayed in Springfield, Illinois -- our state capitol. Beginning December 1st through December 28th 2008 a dream will come true for many when a crèche will be exhibited in the East Hall of the capitol building.
I didn't fully realize how important this project was, until after I received permission from the Secretary of State's office to put up the exhibit. There are hundreds of towns and cities across Illinois which believe such expressions of faith in the public square are unconstitutional. The truth is, as long as such exhibits are financed and constructed by private citizens, a crèche, Menorah or other religious icons on public property are protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. My hope is a Nativity Scene in the capitol of Illinois will encourage other cities and government entities to express their religious beliefs without fear of law suits.
"We're honored to help the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee in fundraising, coordinating, and -- if need be -- defending this very worthy and long overdue celebration of the religious meaning of Christmas in our Illinois state capitol," said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. "State officials approved the display and neither the ACLU nor anybody else will be able to stop it because private citizens have a fundamental right -- under both our federal and Illinois Constitutions -- to proclaim their religious faith, loud and clear, in any public forum. And this includes our capitol rotunda in Springfield equally as Chicago's Daley Plaza or the town square of any town or hamlet throughout Illinois. If you can stand there on a soapbox and sound off about your politics, then why shouldn't you be able to proclaim your religious faith and the values it signifies? The ACLU has no good answer to that question, and there is none. Thanks to the committee members, this year's Christmas observance at the capitol will be Holy as well as Merry!"
We have all realized there has been a systematic effort underway in this nation to remove the mention of God from our schools, courts and public places. With the help of many, we can begin to reverse this trend here in Illinois and become an example for the rest of the country. The most paralyzing opponent we must deal with is fear -- which has been carefully crafted and used to rob our nation of its religious heritage.
The Chicago Nativity Scene became possible due to the work of too many people to mention here. And I have played just a very small role in the manger scene that will go up in our state's capitol. However, the primary hope is municipal governments throughout Illinois will allow private citizens to reclaim their rights, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.
For those who would like to find out more information about the Springfield Nativity Scene or how to help, contact the Thomas More Society in Chicago via their web site: www.thomasmoresociety.org.
Daniel T. Zanoza, 54, is a free lance journalist and political analyst. He has a degree in political science and social work. Zanoza often works behind the scenes with journalists in a non-confrontational manner to achieve this goal.
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