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 crèche, 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