- A Christian enclave prohibits the use of its beach on Sunday
- New Jersey sues religious group in case that could lead to drastic fines
- Some residents are pushing back against the regulations.
‘God’s Square Mile’, a Christian enclave in New Jersey, could be prevented from banning people from using public beaches on Sunday mornings.
The state of New Jersey is suing the religious group in a case that could result in the community having to pay fines of $25,000 a day for violating beach access laws.
The Ocean Grove Campground Association, which owns all the land in the small town of Ocean Grove, including the beach, says the policy is in line with its religious belief about the Lord’s Day.
He also argues that the rule is about giving first responders time off, promoting a “better quality of life” and keeping more parking available for other businesses on Sundays.
However, New Jersey argues in legal documents that the chains and locks used to keep the public off the sand violate the association’s authority to operate a beach.
A Christian enclave in New Jersey could be stopped from banning people from using public beaches on Sunday mornings.
Local resident Harriet Bernstein (right, pictured with her partner, left) said: ‘I feel less comfortable because of the imposition of their religion on everyone who lives here.’
The Association has removed from its website the rule that indicated that the beach will remain closed on Sundays until 12:00 p.m.
However, in its own legal documents, the Association argues that the state is attempting to violate the group’s constitutional right to freedom of religion, the taking of private property, and due process and equal protection.
‘All members of the public are welcome (to the beach) 365 days a year. “Anyone, regardless of race, creed, religion or orientation, is welcome on this private property 99.5% of the year,” the Association wrote in its document.
They added that restricting beach access for 45 hours a year between Memorial Day and Labor Day is “very reasonable.”
Ocean Grove, 60 miles south of New York City, was originally founded in 1869 as a Methodist retreat.
“We just feel like that’s wrong, that’s not what America is supposed to be about, and it makes living here very uncomfortable when you’re gay, when you’re Jewish, atheist or agnostic,” said local resident Paul Martin, who is Jewish. , he told the Associated Press.
The state is suing the religious group in a case that could result in the community having to pay fines of $25,000 a day.
Ocean Grove, 60 miles south of New York City, was originally founded as a Methodist retreat
The Association also requires that all beach visitors purchase badges that have religious crosses on them.
“We have the right to live here too,” Aliza Greenblatt, who is also Jewish, told the AP.
She went on to say: ‘We are not anti-Christian. “We just want the line between Church and State to be respected.”
The Association also requires that all beach visitors purchase badges that have religious crosses on them.
To some, that feels like an “imposition.”
“I feel less comfortable because of the imposition of their religion on everyone who lives here,” said Harriet Bernstein, who is in a lesbian relationship.
Regarding the crosses, she added: ‘I am Jewish; I don’t use crosses.