"Can demands for same-sex rights/rites co-exist with religious liberty?" -- Mark Tooley, Executive Director UMAction
A lesbian couple has filed a civil rights complaint against Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association in New Jersey for declining to host a same-sex ceremony. The New Jersy Division on Civil Rights has ruled in favor of them. The Division ruled that the action violated the public accommodation provisions of the state's law against discrimination.
The ruling does not end the case and an administrative law judge still must decide on a remedy for the parties according to the Associated Press.
Discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation is prohibited by New Jersey law. The privately-owned camp ground operated by United Methodists points to The United Methodist Church's official disapproval of same-sex unions.
The Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association has been denounced by New Jersey officials and newspapers for not allowing a same-sex ceremony at a boardwalk pavilion primarily used for worship oriented events. In the 19th century the camp ground was founded by Methodists as a place for spiritual revival.
Mark Tooley, IRD Director of UMAction, responded:
"United Methodist Church leaders everywhere should stand up for Ocean Grove's religious and civil liberties when it attempts to uphold United Methodist beliefs. Currently, United Methodist churches are prohibited by church law from celebrating same-sex unions. How much longer before the intrusive arm of government attempts to override church policies in the name of 'tolerance'?
"The Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association has not limited the use of its boardwalk pavilion to any person; rather it has prohibited some behavior, according to the principles of the United Methodist Church.
"The Ocean Grove controversy is yet another example of how pleas for 'tolerance' too often morph into new and insidious forms of intolerance.
"Not just United Methodists but all persons concerned about religious and civil liberty should speak out in defense of the Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association."
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Christian Web News - Sometimes as Christians we can be overwhelmed with the world's view of things, plus all the terrible things we see every day. It's hard to understand why Christians are so hated by the world, but Jesus told us this would happen very plainly in the Scriptures. So, why then are we so shocked?
"Can demands for same-sex rights/rites co-exist with religious liberty?" -- Mark Tooley, Executive Director UMAction
