A ministry associated with the United Methodist Church is suing New Jersey officials who threatened to prosecute the ministry for refusing to allow a same-sex civil union ceremony in one of its worship facilities.
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the United Methodist Church filed the federal lawsuit Aug. 11 after a lesbian couple filed a complaint with the state’s civil rights office. The Camp Meeting Association prohibited the lesbians from using its facility for a civil union ceremony.
“Religious groups have the right to make their own decisions without government interference. The government can’t force a private Christian organization to use its property in a way that would violate its own religious beliefs,” said Brian Raum, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing the Camp Meeting Association.
The ministry argues that civil union ceremonies are specifically prohibited according to the doctrines and beliefs of the United Methodist Church.
Furthermore, the Camp Meeting Association says the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, which has threatened to prosecute the ministry over the civil union, has violated its First Amendment rights to free speech, freedom of expressive association, and free exercise of religion.
The Camp Meeting Association, which has owned the property since the 1870s, is currently facing an investigation by the state of New Jersey on whether it violated the state’s anti-discrimination law.
New Jersey has threatened to declare the historic worship facility known as Boardwalk Pavilion as a public place simply because it is located on a boardwalk. The boardwalk and the beach have all been owned by the Camp Meeting Association.
Boardwalk Pavilion and other buildings on the same site have hosted church and worship services for over 100 years. Currently, the facility is used for Sunday worship services, a weekday middle-school and high-school Bible program, a weekly summer band program, evening association meetings, and two to three Gospel music ministry programs each day during the summer season.
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Now, having got THAT off my chest, the Camp Meeting Association fought to be considered SECULAR so that it would recieve government funds. Now it wants to reclaim its 'religious' nature in order to discriminate against God's gay and lesbian children. And with nary a peep about the other secual, civil unions that have been performed there.
Hypocrisy of the utmost level.
How very, very interesting that a site calling itself "Christian Post" gets equated/conflated with this garbage: "THE KU KLUX KLAN IS THE ONLY CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION STANDING UP TO THIS HORRIFIC AND DEMONIC SOCIETY WE NOW LIVE. "
Jesus would weep.
As spoken by Waspnest I quote"
And on the subject of the KKK, since you brought it up.........Please tell me mentioned in the Bible "KKK" and being apart of, is a sin. You can't because it doesn't exist. With any study to the smallest degree, one would have surprised changed opinions very quickly, that indeed the Klan is Christian based and orientated from the ground roots, all the way back in history. Why can't anyone join?, because you can't become a member unless you believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, believing EVERY verse in the KJV, therefore your membership is denied."
For those who have ears then hear..
Also waspnest, the word stranger in the Bible are those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. God looks into your heart not your skin color. I pray one day that you accept the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart.
This will be my last post concerning this matter as I believe those who have eyes and ears can see and hear. Your words have condemned you and only by the saving grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ can save you. BTW you are forgiven if you truly want forgiveness...
Waspnest where do you read race mixing as a sin? Please give me book chapter and verse. AND DON'T TAKE A VERSE OUT OF CONTEXT. BTW being part of the KKK is a sin too...
The Church has the right to refuse same-sex marriage as it also has the right to refuse to remarry someone that has gone through a divorce, of different race, or different religion, etc...
It is sad to see that this couple has been turned away from their church instead of welcomed with open arms, neither parties are teaching the word of God.
Galatians 5:13-15
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
New Jersey - the next arrival in the state of the Homosexualization of the nation. Fascism lives in New Jersey!! What's this about violating the anti-discrimination laws?!? This is pure unadulterated NONSENSE. Have the officials in New Jersey forgotten about the U.S. Constitution, where it protects freedom of speech, assembly, and association? Apparently so, and they have just taken a MAJOR nose dive in credibility by their caving in to the radical homosexual agenda!! New Jersey and the Governor - YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!!!
I think its wrong to force any non-profit group to do what it does not want to do. I think its funny that when a homosexual group crys woe is me, the state bends over backwards to help, but anyone else who crys woe is me, is left unnoticed.