On Saturday July 30, 2022, the CMA will take over 3 locations including the Ocean Pathway. Did you know that? Blogfinger photo 7/24/22, 1 pm until dark. Please click to read the details.
July 24, 2022: There have been clashes between secular residents and the CMA since the founding, regarding a variety of topics. Some have gone to the courts.
In recent years there have been several events which have taken us to another level of discussions including the granting in 2008 of special and illegal zoning by Neptune to the CMA and developers for “redevelopment” at the North End.
And then came the conflict over discrimination against gays in the Boardwalk Pavilion. (2007) and then the fight after Superstorm Sandy (2012) over Federal funds to rebuild our boardwalk .
Now we have the latest topic which is the current tendency of the CMA to continually expand its religious programming, thus further squashing the lifestyles of the secular residential community in Ocean Grove.
It’s no wonder that visitors believe that the CMA (“the Church”) runs the town.
And it includes questions about what constitutes a “public thoroughfare” in our parks, boardwalk and beach , and where does separation of church and state fit into these discussions?
One issue which keeps coming up is who owns the beach. We believe that it is “we the people” through the State of NJ. And we discussed that in our recent piece arguing that the beach should be free.
And if the beach is not owned by the CMA, then they certainly should take down the cross and stop having any Christian live music or other such activities there. I have never seen anything that resembles a deed to prove their ownership of the beach. Maybe the CMA could release that evidence.
The early history of OG talks about how the CMA bought up land from the original owners, but I don’t recall any account mentioning buying the beach. Also the original charter of the State to the CMA does not mention ownership of the beach.
According to the CMA web site :” In 1870 the New Jersey State Legislature granted the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association a charter setting Ocean Grove aside as a place of perpetual worship to Jesus Christ.” We would like to see that charter–who has a copy?
Here is a link to our recent piece about who owns the beach in OG
At Blogfinger we find these topics to be both fascinating. and aggravating, so we will continue to discuss them. Please join in if you want to exercise your free speech muscles on Blogfinger.
As always you can do so anonymously or not. Just send us an email or use the “comment”button at the bottom of our posts
By the way, where were the fireworks for the Grove on July 4? And where were the big-time bands in our July 4 parade? And where are the professional band concerts for the secular part of town to enjoy at the Pier Stage? How about rock, jazz and cover bands? And where are our food trucks and bonfires. There things are provided during the CMA special religious events. It looks like double standards.
The Home Groaners continue to ignore the needs of the secular people who comprise most of the “Home Owners.” Where are their priorities?
FROM CAROUSEL. This song is about a community event that all can enjoy.
Paul Goldfinger, Blogfinger Editor.
Amen. Or maybe not “Amen”.
I agree completely that secular events for residents, not tourists, are few and far between.
Of course, they’d like the rest of us to leave.