Is this a cross? Asbury Park. Blogfinger.net photo
April 15, 2023. Ocean Grove pier opens. You can see one arm of the “cross.” Does this look scary to you? Neptune United is afraid of this design. What is the harm? Paul Goldfinger photo.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor, Blogfinger.net. 9/28/23.
Neptune United has gone out of its way to promote the idea that the CMA is somehow doing harm to the LGBTQ community and to Jews* in Ocean Grove. This is one of the hooks that Shane Martins and his cronies have clung to in an effort to paint the CMA as homophobic, anti-Semitic right wing Christian bullies.
One of those hooks is to find some damage to the town of Ocean Grove because the new pier is in the shape of a cross. And the CMA itself has at times referred to it as cross-shaped–it is their property. But Michael Badger says that the shape can be interpreted in a variety of ways—it’s called “free speech.” It’s the same as with the mailbox above.
But “no harm, no foul” is what we at Blogfinger think.
So how has Martins defamed the CMA? You can read the NU web site. (NeptuneUnited.org.)
And he has been interviewed and his views repeated in a number of media sources.** He skillfully implies that the CMA is hateful towards certain groups such as gays and Jews. It doesn’t seem to bother him that his ability to read the minds of Christians in the Grove is hurtful and ridiculously over the top.
And he has distorted the facts about our town, influencing the opinions of those who know little about our life-styles and history. The media reporters usually get the facts wrong.
This quote is from NJ 101.5. (8/22) quoting a Grover who hangs with Neptune United: “Some are calling it “Christian bullying” and some members of the LGBTQ+ community have an issue with the pier. Local resident Douglas Grote told NJ.com , “I am so deeply concerned,” he said. ”And I am so concerned from my neighbors who are scared and bullied.”
Here is the only independent media source who actually had something original to say. It is Jeff Deminski of NJ 101.5. 8/23/22:
“Now if the pier were only allowed for use by Christians I’d have an issue. But come on folks.
“This is Ocean Grove. If you live there you know the history. So what if the pier is in the shape of a cross? Does that mean you can’t use it? That you’ll combust into flames if you set foot on it? That they’ll manage to convert you by the mere shape beneath your feet?
“I am supportive of the LGBTQ+ community in most things. The bullying and hate need to end. But this complaint is a bit ridiculous.”
This allegation of “bullying, fear, and hate” publicly stated by few in the LGBT Grover community needs to be substantiated if true. Blogfinger has heard it 1:1 from only 2 people.
At Blogfinger we have stated that we wished the pier had replicated the historic design, without a cross, partly because our town is on the NJ and National Historic Registers, and accuracy is an asset.
We also would have preferred that the CMA not put a cross on their beach badges, but that design is merely a drawing of the Great Auditorium with their usual cross depicted as it always is on their building on their property. I wear mine on my hat.
Also Martins (who is admittedly not Jewish) and his partly Jewish cast of characters have hinted that somehow these Christian images do damage to Grover Jews.*
But keep in mind that the few Grover Hebrews who are loudly complaining represent a tiny number compared to how many Jews live quietly here. We are like most of the Grover gays who live here without any identity apparent and who just enjoy being in a place where they feel at home. We fly a small Israeli flag beneath the Stars and Stripes on our home, and no one has ever complained.
When we moved here, we responded to the overall spirituality of the Grove with bells chiming, choir festival, angels at the Live Nativity, carols in the park, etc. I especially enjoyed the music provided by Grover Phillip Smith, formerly of the NY Philharmonic, when he played hymns at Founders Park during the fountain dedication, and more.
If you are Jewish and live in Ocean Grove, you can thank God for that. If you know 3,000 years of Jewish history, you will discover some truly evil and unmatched anti-Semitism.
We have loved living here. We have complained about some of the expansionism of the CMA in this small town, but anti-Jewish? Not!
This is a pathetic trope that they must stop repeating unless they can show harm. It reminds me of when a few dopey kids painted some swastikas here on Mischief Night, and the Home Groaners wanted to call in the big guns: The Anti-Defamation League. BF put a stop to that.
Shane and his crew have also done damage by their pathetic and outrageous physical demonstrations on peaceful Sunday mornings when the beaches close for 3 hours. What is the damage?
This group is celebrating their Sunday morning mayhem meetings. Why the phony name? Call a spade a spade. Is 10 the highest number they can come up with?
Look at the photo above. This group released this picture to an out-of- town newspaper* to reveal how disloyal they are toward their home town Ocean Grove.
Remember “Pride goeth before a fall!” If you are too arrogant or self important, something will happen to make you look foolish, and Blogfinger will bring that.
At Blogfinger we have posted our belief that the beaches should be open for reasons that are not religious. But our mild protest is not with the crude and obnoxious tactless methods of this group.
But “so what” to all this? Most Grovers seem to be willing to continue cooperating with this minor inconvenience.
Proof: Those demonstrations by Grovers with nothing worthwhile to do on summer Sunday mornings did not ignite the expected antipathy of ordinary citizens.
And for those of you who believe that the CMA has at times been unfairly attacked by others, you will find that Blogfinger has defended the CMA from that outrageous organization the OG Home Groaners: (link below)
And we have also praised the Shane Martins crew when appropriate, even though he did not want us to take his picture. (Why not Shane?)
ADDENDUM**: Here are some of the media sources who have jumped on the Martins bandwagon and repeated some of his views about Ocean Grove: (Blogfinger has quotes.)
NJ.com, Asbury Park Press, Coaster, NY Post, Haaretz*, AP Patch, NJ 101.5, Coastal News and others which have picked up his interviews.
It should also be noted that certain Christian media sources have defended the CMA including the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Christian Post.
But Shane Martins and his team of forced-entry-vandals are mostly Grovers. Isn’t it time for them to stop whining and start rooting again for the home team?
And geez they even called the cops:
Paul Goldfinger photo. Blogfinger.net.
OG boardwalk. Fuss-makers in action.
Sunday morning. Martins covers his face. 8/27/23.
WEST SIDE STORY:
Thank you, Blogfinger.
This was a very fractured summer with all the complaints. I hope next summer will be more peaceful. People move into this lovely town supported and built by those in the past who came here for the very purpose that the original members intended,”To provide a place of spiritual growth and renewal.” They chose this location between two lakes, west of the ocean, high ground where there were no mosquitoes. They built the beautiful Victorian homes that make the town so attractive. The CMA has built and rebuilt the pier and the boardwalk, after every damaging storm, for everyone to enjoy. Many people contribute to these projects to make this a wonderful place. The Ladies Auxiliary had eight different fundraisers to contribute to some of the lifeguard equipment, the Beautification efforts, all the local organizations like the fire companies, the bike racks, some of the benches, some of the improvements to the parks and historical structures, etc., etc , etc.
Please appreciate our unique heritage and ALL that Ocean Grove offers to those who live and attend here. Causing friction detracts from everyone’s enjoyment.
The pier was obviously intended to be a Latin cross. Suggestions to the contrary recall the excuses made by the biblical Aaron:
“Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”
Churches of all sizes were often built in a cruciform design, not so much for humans as for someone looking down from above. From ground level, the shape of the pier is not so obvious. The metal grating material allows large waves to pass through the surface thus reducing possible damage.
FEMA originally agreed to pay for the pier, but later reneged.
I believe the different color at the end was due to different materials required to resist water damage during storms.
We reported on the police incident which we witnessed when we were there–Sunday August 27.
Shane Martins was mentioned specifically in our articles because in the media coverage, he was the main one offering interviews to reporters, and the press mentioned him by name.
When NU made a presentation to the HOA, he made the speech. And isn’t Martins one of the two founders of NU?
And if he were to quit, it seems likely that NU would fold.
NU: Why don’t you tell us the names and numbers of all your members? Or is this like the wizard behind the curtain?
And as for public money being used for “something religious,” when did that happen? FEMA funds were used to rebuild an essential public thoroughfare, and we were big supporters of that. In fact Blogfinger published more articles supporting FEMA funding for the OG boardwalk than any other media source. I think it was over 100.
Your assertion that CMA is “breaking the law” is based on no facts. Come back when you have something more than thin air.
It was the CMA that called the police every single week, wasting critical resources from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Sunday Morning group called on Labor Day only.
Additionally, if the CMA did not want it to look like a cross, they would not have built it with a different color just for the cross section.
I don’t personally have an issue with the cross pier because the CMA allegedly used private funds, but the moment they use federal or state funds for something religious, that is when I have the issue.
Most people don’t even know it is a cross and nor do they care. I have not been on it and have no intention of doing so.
Neptune United is not just one person and has a lot of other people involved and will continue to grow stronger whether Shane is involved or not. Give your targeted focus a break and perhaps speak about the issues
The fact that the CMA is breaking the law in some areas that will only be resolved in court. Buckle up because one person’s opinion will not change that outcome. I, personally, am looking forward to the facts coming out.
It is our understanding that in 1914, certain groups were not allowed to reside in the Grove including blacks, Jews, and Roman Catholics, but being hired to work for the CMA management doesn’t seem far fetched.
Throughout Jewish history, since about 300 AD when the Romans turned to Christianity and beyond, Jews were often employed by church leaders and kings to provide financial guidance, medical care, tax management, and import/export expertise.
They often offered niche skills that others recognized. This was a useful way for Jews to survive since their place in Middle Age societies was very restricted.
And the same was true when they were expelled from Spain, England,(15th and 16th century) etc taking the diaspora to Eastern Europe where Polish and Russian Christians and monarchs found Jews to be useful and welcomed them.
The dynamic of a Jewish organization complaining to the CMA about whether the CMA would be hiring a Jew for a management job is interesting. Under a borough form of government might it be true that the CMA could not refuse to hire someone because of being Jewish? We would need more information to judge this news report from 1914.
I know a Jewish man now who takes care of all the investments and benefits for a large Lutheran church.
During the debate over having a borough form of government in OG, there was an interesting exchange reported in the NYT:
March 30, 1914
The Young Men’s Hebrew Association made public today a letter to Rev. Dr. Aaron E. Ballard, President of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, protesting against reflections on Jews in a public letter written by Dr. Ballard and condemning his remarks as tending to create racial differences and prejudice.
March 31, 1914
“No disrespect at all is intended toward the Jews as in the matter of religion, except the fact that under a Borough Government in Ocean Grove the Jew could be elected to the management of a Christian resort…” — Rev. Dr. Aaron E. Ballard