In the quiet hamlet of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, a contentious disagreement has arisen around the building of a cross-shaped pier by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. Many locals feel that their right to freedom of religion is being violated by the choice made by this Christian organization.
Resurrecting Faith After Hurricane Sandy
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association built a pier as a sign of their faith in an effort to reestablish their Christian principles following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The initiative is publicly accessible and privately funded, but because of unreported funding, it does not have official sanction. Some locals are concerned that Christian values are being injected into public affairs as a result of this.
Critics Express Concerns
Some who are against building the 500-foot-long, $1.3 million pier have called it “Christian bullying.” They are calling on government to step in because they are concerned about the possible effects it may have on the town. Because of this, there have been talks about perhaps postponing the December 7, 2022, opening.
Pastor Grote Voices Opposition
Presbyterian Pastor Douglas Grote is one of the vocal critics of the pier. He refers to it as an example of “Christian bullying” and plans to raise the issue at the upcoming Ocean Grove Home Owners Association meeting on September 24, 2022. Grote suggests that construction should be halted until a democratic approval process is conducted.
