So Maurice, what do you think about l’affaire de Huckabee? (By Sue Gioulis, Blogfinger cartoonist.)
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger
When we posted our first article about the Huckabee situation, we asked, “What is the question?” We framed it that way because we weren’t really sure what the issue was and even if there were an important question to consider. We decided to write about it because Ocean Grove United (OGU) said that there were complaints about the Huckabee invitation and that OGU had requested a meeting with the Camp Meeting Association (CMA) about this matter.
Since then we have spoken to Dr. Dale Whilden, President of the OGCMA, and to Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster of the OGU gay rights organization. We also interacted with nearly 30 commenters on Blogfinger.
We never did find out how many people actually complained, and there is the suspicion that maybe there were very few. Certainly there were few who protested on Blogfinger, and none who demonstrated outside the Auditorium.
OGU says that that they were upset by statements that Huckabee had previously made about homosexuals and about recent Supreme Court decisions regarding same-sex marriage. They thought that he should not have been invited to speak here.
When pressed, OGU said that their issue wasn’t even so much about Huckabee as it was about the need for the CMA to be more “sensitive” in the future when they pick speakers.
Some commenters thought that Gov. Huckabee should be able to speak here regardless of what he said in the past. They said that it was a free speech issue. But someone else who supports restricting speech in OG said, “What would you say if the neo-Nazis wanted to speak in Ocean Grove?” Aside from the fact that there is no comparing Gov. Huckabee to neo-Nazis, asking that question assumes that the answer would be “No, they can’t speak here because of the horrid things which they said in the past.”
But just look back to 1977 in Skokie, Illinois where neo-Nazi’s were allowed to march based on their First Amendment rights. They were defended by the ACLU, and the matter was decided by the Illinois Supreme Court. Even their hateful rhetoric didn’t matter as far as their speech rights were concerned.
In the Huckabee case, clearly, free speech wins, as it did with Kirk Cameron. Both speakers came and spoke. And so free speech stands out as a relevant issue for our town as opposed to controversies which reside at the state or federal level—such as gay marriage.
Finally, what was the the outcome of the OGU complaint and request regarding Huckabee’s visit? The answer can be found in the meeting that was attended by OGU and the leaders of the OGCMA. It turns out that the CMA was receptive to the request by OGU to turn up the sensitivity dial. Although no formal promises were made at the board level, the CMA leaders on the ground did acknowledge that the talks increased their awareness and understanding of OGU concerns. Dr. Whilden, in a written response to our question about the meeting, indicated that the talks, among the many factors* involved, could have an impact on the future selection of speakers. He said that the selection of speakers is “an incredibly complex process,” so he made no specific promises.
Dr. Whilden also said, “Camp Meeting folks who participated in conferences over this past year with OG United have been made more cognizant of the deep hurts that thoughtless and unloving comments can cause.”
Given the much more subdued reaction to Huckabee compared to Cameron, it seems that the conflict between the CMA and OGU is moving in the right direction. As one of our commenters said, there will be disagreements between them that can never be resolved. But those differences certainly can be finessed through good will, as we have seen lately with the Together campaign to raise funds for the rebuilding of post-Sandy Ocean Grove.
* See the comments to find out what factors are considered in choosing speakers for the Great Auditorium services.
I find it slightly curious that people would move to a town run by an organization that holds certain beliefs and then gets upset when that organization invites people to speak who also hold these same beliefs.
There are many towns along the NJ coast, there are other Victorian towns, i for one would not move into an area that has issues with my lifestyle.
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Editor’s note: Some of you expressed an interest in knowing the multiple factors that go into choosing speakers for the summer services in the Great Auditorium. This is what Dr. Dale Whilden, CMA President, had to say:
“Selecting speakers for our summer season is actually an incredibly complex process. Some of the specific factors involved in who comes to preach from our renowned pulpit include national/inter-national recognition, proven effective ministry, ability to speak in large venue, perceived “draw”, track record of winning souls to Christ and inspiring believers to lives of holiness, adherence to accepted orthodox Christian beliefs (Apostles’Creed), frequency/repetition of previous engagements with us, speakers’ scheduling and booking policies, Wesleyan/Methodist affiliation, new and upcoming voices, authorship, and prayer.
“In scheduling any one person, we also additionally consider a speaker’s
availability and coordination on dates, Program Committee affirmation,
requested honorarium/expenses (if any), and their proximity to NJ.”
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Would be interesting to note if any OG residents are on the Program Committee and who they are. OGCA needs more transparency.
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I agree with Joe’s thoughts. I understand why gay or any folks like Ocean Grove as a resort town, but why impose or expect the founding organization to believe exactly as they do. I never understood why gay couples did not ask Asbury Park to build a wedding pavilion instead of going at odds with the Camp Meeting Association.
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I.M. Radar has a good question. Who is on the OGCMA program committee and should the programs just be for the OGCMA followers?
I think that the programs should appeal to the OGCMA followers as well as the residents of the town (sensitive to both.)
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I am in agreement with Joe and Bonnie. Most people visit a town or city before they move there. Why move to Ocean Grove if you so disagree with what the town is about. Go to Asbury or Rehoboth where the gay life style is embraced.
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In response to Bonnie’s idea of having an Asbury wedding pavilion:
We gay folks have thought about getting married in Asbury Park, but do you know how long it would take to find a bible in that town?
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This topic is a tempest in a teapot. None of the speakers that folks have complained in advance about (e.g., Cameron, Huckabee) said anything offensive to the gay community when they spoke. Folks need to move off their hair triggers.
Move on, there’s nothing to see here.
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There were no offensive comments because the CMA explained to the speakers that there is a large gay community in Ocean Grove, and to be sensitive to it. Freedom of speech comes with responsibility, & name calling or derogatory remarks abuse that freedom.
We don’t expect anyone to embrace our lifestyle, but we do want the same respect we show others. As a child my mother always taught me That God is kinder than man. At 76 I still have to remind myself of this. We should never turn a deaf ear to prejudice.
Martin Niemoller wrote” Then they came for me and there was no one left to SPEAK for me.” I am sure you are familiar with the entire writing. Therefore I am speaking up now, & hopefully there will be a kinder future.
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Jan: In our interview with Dr. Whilden, he denied asking Gov. Huckabee to avoid speaking about any particular issues. The Governor was free to talk about anything during his sermon. But, as you know, he said nothing about gay related subjects. I was there.
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Paul, Why are you beating a dead horse! You already said what had to be said last week when you reported that Huckabee spoke and avoided gay issues and there were no protests. End of story and be glad the CMA and OGU are working together.
To those of you who question why a gay person would move to Ocean Grove, keep in mind that many of us moved here in the 1980’s and 1990’s when Ocean Grove was on the downturn. Many in Ocean Grove embraced “the gays” who proceeded to fix up dilapidated homes and rebuild businesses. Also fundamentalist Christians had yet to move towards their current crusade against homosexuals.
Some in the CMA over the last ten years or so have moved the organization to be more political. Many Christian preachers, some of whom have been invited to speak in the Auditorium, have hurled extreme offensive hurtful comments toward the gay community. These speakers have offended not just gay people but many straight people who have also moved into Ocean Grove in the last 20 years. There is no reason why gay people should not choose to live here. The CMA may not welcome people who are different than them, but much of the community is not in sync with their thinking. Now can we move forward. Let the CMA and OGU evolve into being active participants for the betterment of the community. Amen.
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Y.R. You: At the beginning of the piece, you can read why I chose to beat the dead horse. And if I didn’t beat this dead horse, you wouldn’t have had the chance to say what you just said. Also, yesterday there were 2300 views at Blogfinger, and many hundreds of them took a look at the dead horse, including one guy from Bosnia. —Paul
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OGCMA has unique responsibilities: furthering Methodism established by its founders and administering to the needs of the community as its landlord.
It has made progress. Eliminating the “committee/paper review” of potential homebuyers was a positive step to open the Historic District to a diverse community of other religions and beliefs.
It welcomed the gay population in terms of the miraculous turnaround in the quality of life in Ocean Grove–both residentially and commercially.
And its support of condo structuring has appealed to such diversity as well as
adding substantial long-term resources to its treasury.
What today and the future demands is sensitivity and transparency in meeting those dual responsibilities.
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