Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor Blogfinger.net. In 2021 we first entered the fray regarding crosses on beach badges. Now it is 2023, and the same issue remains prominent.
2021: Blogfinger re-post:
As you can see, the 2021 Camp Meeting Association season badges display a large cross. We have no information about other designs for this coming season.
The OGCMA promotes the Christian religion, but they manage the beach with the consent of the State of New Jersey. When they argued to FEMA that the boardwalk was essentially a public thoroughfare and that the CMA should be given public money to fix it, it indicates that they wear several hats in town, and they wore their non-sectarian hats when going to FEMA.
Asking everyone who buys a season pass to wear a cross would appear to defy the spirit of our beachfront as a public place, and therefore the idea of separation of church and state should prevail. Why should non-Christians have to wear a cross?
Once again the Camp Meeting Association blurs the boundaries between the secular Ocean Grove and the religious group that no longer has power over the people who live and visit the Grove. This badge design confirms a confusion over the CMA’s roll in our diverse town and also indicates a tone-deaf insensitivity regarding the badge issue.
Jews were forced to wear yellow stars of David at various times during their long history, so there is that terrible association with persecution that immediately comes to mind when considering the coerced wearing of a religious symbol in our town.
And, of course there are Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other non Christians who will also have to wear the cross when going to the beach.
This design is in poor taste and should not have been chosen.
We suggest that this design be cancelled and replaced, including for those who already have bought them.
BF, you say, “ Jews were forced to wear yellow stars of David at various times during their long history, so there is that terrible association with persecution that immediately comes to mind when considering the coerced wearing of a religious symbol in our town”
There is NO persecution if someone merely has a tag with a symbol on it. There are plenty of other beaches if one has a problem with it.
Besides, the cross here is not necessarily a symbol of religion, but could be, and likely is, a symbol of the pier. Which is definitely an attention getter and should be prominent (all cases, in fact).
Sally; Your comment has prompted me to repost a BF article about the 150th anniversary. The piece was originally posted last December, but it will be back up on March 24.
Paul
When OGCMA wanted to put a sign over Main Avenue gate celebrating 150th anniversary with something about God, our elected representatives objected because Neptune owns the streets. In this case, OGCMA owns the beach and can do whatever it chooses no matter how offensive. However, they deserve some bad press on this. It is implying that OG is an exclusive town and beach for Christian’s, all others unwelcome.
Since the cross was originally a Roman torture device, the OGCMA can now proudly claim that it has the only beach badge that makes a point of reminding us how people have experienced unbearable pain, suffering and death. Thanks for that.
Besides, did you ever think about how Jesus might react if he came back and saw those things all over the place? Maybe he’d say, “No, no! Not that damn thing again! Been there, done that. Good-bye for good!”
I could go on about the attitude demonstrated by CMA leadership based on some of their past actions, speakers, and this latest affront.
I will spare everyone instead, and remind the CMA that it has a prominent position in the Protestant church that sets an example. They need to be aware that their symbols and actions matter.
Tom: Your hypothetical is not realistic, so I will not respond. We will stick to our topic which is beach badges.
Hypotheticals are not needed; we have enough reality to wonder about.
Paul
Paul,
I have to agree with you on this one. If you are a Mets fan, you shouldn’t be forced to wear a Yankees cap.
Here is a “fun” hypothetical scenario for your consideration. What if the CMA arranges for us to have a free parking spot right in front of our houses but you have to display a parking tag in your car and it has a cross on it. What would you do?
Thank you. The referral should come from you or another citizen. It’s OK with me. Paul
Well said, Blogfinger. Forward this to the APP and Coaster.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
Wish you could be here for a cup of tea and discussion on this one.
Missing you,
Polly Carl
Since last year, we have chosen to get our seasonal badges from nearby Bradley Beach and have found BB be a nicer, cleaner beach–and cheaper for seniors!. In BB or years past when we were OG beach goers, we never wore our badges–we just showed them at the beach entrance. This could be a way around wearing the cross, but unfortunately it doesn’t help reconcile paying for a Christian symbol.
Maybe the CMA should do as the post office does with stamps–offer a choice of designs.
As an interfaith minister and a practicing Jew, I want to thank you for standing up to this. If I am able to visit this year, I will not even dream of purchasing a badge.
Rev. Jeneba Charkey
There are some precedents here. When Woody wanted to make Stardust Memories in the Grove, the CMA agreed to take down the big GA cross during filming.
When a parent complained about the religious symbols around the GA during the Neptune graduation, the CMA agreed to cover up those symbols in deference to those who did not want to mix religion with the graduation ceremony.
So perhaps that same sort of sensitivity might prevail with the cross on the beach badge complaint.
I will.not buy one either. Bradley Beach or Asbury is where I will go.
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