This photo from a Memorial Day in the Grove several years ago reveals two basic icons that crystalize life in this town. Nothing religious here. Paul Goldfinger photo.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. 4/6/23
Blogfinger has been following the dynamics of modern CMA history as it relates to the residents of Ocean Grove, a largely secular and diverse faction–the largest in town, and we have done so since our founding in 2009.
We have written many articles about all aspects of this topic going back to the civil ceremony brouhaha of 2007 when we were writing for the Steve Froias on-line news publication.
We have always tried to stick to the facts when writing about the CMA. And this is part and parcel of our related posts about the CMA and Neptune Township, taxes, North End development, secular vs religious, music and the Great Auditorium, LGBTQ+ concerns , and life style aspects including parking, etc.
We have followed all these CMA related topics because this town is fascinating and unique and we always try to understand how all the moving parts work for the benefit of our citizens.
Lately we have been especially worried about the recent aggressivenes of the CMA as it tries to envelope our town in a religious fog of excess programming and Christian propaganda in a place where most of us want to see separation of church and state according to the laws of this great nation.
The CMA would like to turn the Grove into a year-round “Christian Seaside Resort.”
But regardless of the focus of our interest and that of other OG residents, we believe in honesty where the facts are essential and not twisted into biased distortions. If we fall off the truth bandwagon, then we want you to correct us at Blogfinger.net.
In today’s Coaster, April 6, 2023, we find some twisted “facts” about our town which we want to clarify. These “truths” are found in letters to the editor written by Grovers. You can read the Coaster to see who said what:
a. We have a letter writer using “Methodist teaching” to challenge the CMA. I think that theology is best not weaponized to argue about such town issues as beach badges, pier design, and crosses around town. These differences, even if related to religion, should be considered as public policy matters. When the gay civil ceremony batttle developed in 2007, it was argued mostly in terms of freedom of speech, charges of discrimination, and freedom of lifestyles. Religion was an element, but the final decisions were based on the law.
b. Another writer generalizes and says, “This was a sacred town. It is now divided, angry; some want it exclusive. Is that the Christian way?” Once again using Christian theology to frame the CMA as hypocrites.
So where is the evidence that Ocean Grove has become as she describes? It’s fine to complain, as we have, that the CMA is changing, but let’s not generalize about the values, beliefs, and emotions in the Grove without solid documenation.
Blogfinger articles may speculate or complain about CMA behavior and policies, but we never introduce religious doctrines into our discussions and we have never complained about Christianity or any other religion.
c. A third Coaster letter writer spent a great deal of energy in his letter explaining the religious “purpose” of the Grove which is “based on the Bible.”
And that was true in the distant past, but he forgot that the New Jersey Supreme Court in 1980 would not allow OG to continue governance as a religious based town.
OG contains a religious group, the CMA, but it is a town like any other in this democratic country. CMA is one faction here, but its rights are the same as other groups in town.
d. Another writer went way off the rails when she brought up old news including the Kirk Cameron issue—he was a speaker in the Great Auditorium about 10 years ago who was attacked because of his known views regarding gay marriage. But that and other similar historic beefs about the CMA are already reported in the pages of Blogfinger and other media sources, so it is irrelevant now to drag out those old reports with the current questions being raised.
She even talks about abortion, but the Coaster should have edited all that out. She even attacked a wonderful CMA event Bridgefest because it brings in thousands of tourists, but why not attack the Giant Flea Market as well run by the non-religious Chamber of Commercials?
This writer finds Bridgefest to be scary beause a mass killer might show up, and she believes that the town is not protecting all of us from crazed teen agers and rock groups.
Finally she says, “In these dark times of homophobia and antisemitism, how can the OGCMA and the Neptune Townip ensure peace and safety?” But where does she find homophobia, gun toting killers, and antisemitism in Ocean Grove?
This is how we concluded one of our more recent posts about these matters:
Blogfinger: “Can anyone tell us of another town in the US where a religious group is so prevalent and powerful? This is a unique town with unique challenges, but our national values of free speech, representative democratic government, equal justice for all, religious freedom , and freedom from religion must be the foundation.”
The people of Ocean Grove should get involved and insist that some restraints be placed on the CMA’s attempts to take us back to the 19th century. But the Neptune United has the right idea of searching for answers in our American rights and laws.
The “award winning” Coaster needs desparately to find itself an editor.
BOB DYLAN: