"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."--Mark Tooley, Executive Director UMAction
Contact: Loralei Coyle, 202-682-4131, 202-905-6852 cell; Radio Interviews: Jeff Walton; both with The Institute on Religion and Democracy
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Methodist organization that owns the Ocean Grove Camp Ground in New Jersey is suing the state, saying its rights are violated by a state investigation into its refusal to host a same-sex rite for a lesbian couple. That couple had sought to celebrate their ceremony at a boardwalk pavilion on the association's grounds. The lesbian couple has filed a civil rights complaint with the state against the Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association.
United Methodists founded the privately-owned camp ground in the 19th century as a place for spiritual revival and continue to operate it today. Association leaders point to the United Methodist Church's official disapproval of same-sex unions that doesn't permit civil union ceremonies to be held in church buildings.
IRD Director of UMAction Mark Tooley responded, "Ocean Grove is legitimately acting to defend itself against a potentially intrusive arm of a state government that may try to override church policies in the name of 'tolerance'
United Methodist Church leaders everywhere should stand up for Ocean Grove's religious and civil liberties. The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church prohibits the denomination's clergy and churches from participating in same-sex rites. All religious organizations should be free to establish their own internal rules without interference from the government.
"This matter is not just about same-sex unions. It is about the freedom of a religious organization to uphold its own beliefs and establish policies for its own property.
"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."
The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.
