This is part of the CMA’s “Christmas in Summer” event. They say that it is an annual event. CMA photo in Facebook. Scheduled for August 15, 2023
Paul Goldfinger,, MD. Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ. 8/24/23.
The presence of religious events on the OG beach is nothing new. We have seen notices and videos for baptisms on the beach in the past, as well as this Live Nativity.
On Blogfinger we have described the Camp Meeting as being hypocritical. When it suits them they are part of our OG town-wide community as when, for example, they urge all of us to donate money, as with the Together Fund. They welcome the entire populace of Ocean Grove to help them when they find it to be necessary, such as with the cleanup at the beachfront after Hurricane Sandy hit. We posted photos of that effort.
And they achieve tax exempt status for their parks and the beach front and other places in town such as the park at the entrance on Main Avenue with the sign advertising their prominence in the Grove and religious references. (Note: religious notices on the electric sign at Broadway and Main have been banned by Neptune in 2024.)
Yet when we interviewed the CMA President in the past about their policy with regard to the secular OG residential community, he said that they are interested only in their “mission.”
But when we discuss parking permits for all of us with Neptune, the CMA threatened to sue and they hired their own experts. Then the current mayor did what the CMA wanted and rejected a plan.
But tax exemption comes because the CMA claims that those properties such as the boardwalk and pier are “public thoroughfares” which should mean separation of church and state.
So should there be a live nativity on the beach? And should there be a creche in Firemen’s Park? And should there be sermons and hymns at the dedication of the Fitzgerald fountain which many of us contributed to when it was restored at a cost of over $100,000?
I love the festivities and music of Christmas, and Blogfinger presents such music all year long. But I also strongly believe in separation of church and state when the law requires it.
They no longer have a live nativity at Rutherford High School where I went to school, and we used to attend the live nativity at the Auditorium Pavilion in OG where it seemed to be appropriate, although that might be questioned too.
Earlier this year Blogfinger posted a piece about this topic. Click on the link:
Religious music—-does it belong on the OG beach or boards?
“Sankta Lucia:” Religious music from Sweden on Blogfinger. OK here, but on the beach?
I have always supported the Camp Meeting Association (CMA) and will continue to do so.
The CMA is a fine organization.
However, St. Paul’s is the church in OG, and the CMA is a corporation. Two separate organizations.
In my opinion, in order to avoid being held hostage again, trying to continue the false impression that the CMA is somehow a church should stop ASAP. It’s fake news.
Mr. Michael Badger is required to carry out the Corporation’s policies, but closing a “public” beach until 12 noon on Sunday is a “religious” tradition that has outlived it’s time and may violate State Law.
The Fishing Pier was not re-built in the form of a cross.
The State gave permission to rebuild the Fishing Pier without the “members only” fishing club that fenced off half of the “public” pier.
Jack Bredin
Funny Paul. A Christmas tree a religious symbol? I thought it was too! But liberals and our government do not think so.
If they did, then they would have charged Craig Tamanaha with a “hate crime” for setting ablaze the XMas tree in front of Fox News in NYC a couple of years ago.
Ron. If there’s a menorah at the White House during Christmas, I would prefer that they take it down along with any other religious symbols.
However, since that is the President’s home, I think he could display a symbol of his own religion, such as a Christmas tree, which is a special seasonal symbol few Americans would object to.
Paul
Hypocritical Paul? Then how about removing the menorah from the White House during Christmas.
Stay the course Paul. You have a good grasp on this. Your summations are informative and truthful. Hopefully enough sharing of your posts will open peoples’ eyes and overcome the pompousness of the desperate and fading CMA . They try so hard to hold on to something the present day residents and youth aren’t interested in. I wonder if the tables were turned how they would react as residents.