Two lesbian couples who were denied permission to use a church group's seaside pavilion for civil-union ceremonies have persuaded New Jersey officials to punish the group through revocation of the tax-exempt status of the pavilion. Proposed federal legislation could accelerate that trend.
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association owns the boardwalk pavilion that is a popular spot for weddings.
A spokesman for the gay-activist group Garden State Equality said the state didn't go far enough, and may ask a court to revoke the tax exemption for all of the boardwalk and land, which the Methodist group has owned since 1870, according to The Associated Press.
As it stands, the change may cost the Methodists an estimated $175 a year for just the pavilion. But both sides say it’s about the principle.
“We’re happy, but there’s a lot more happiness to be had,” said Steve Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality.
The Methodists say they are following deeply held religious beliefs laid out in their Church Book of Discipline.
Scott Hoffman, Ocean Grove chief administrative officer, told the entire property is dedicated to the “perpetual worship of Jesus Christ.” But he said the state thinks “because it’s on a boardwalk that it’s not really a church, so they’re defining what a church is, and I think everybody needs to pay attention to that.”
Brian Raum, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said it’s the same problem posed by the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) now being considered in Congress. It would grant special protections to homosexuals in the workplace.
“What’s happening in Ocean Grove is a perfect example of the dangers which will be at issue if ENDA passes,” Raum said.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, explained that tax exemptions are not protected under the First Amendment.
“The state, local and federal governments all grant various tax exemptions to those organizations, because historically they serve a vital public function in the community that benefits all in the community, not just the members of a particular church,” he said. “Since the government giveth, the government can taketh away those exemptions.”
Hausknecht said there are many efforts in play to remove tax-exempt status from all religious groups.
“By enacting ENDAs and hate-crime laws, civil-union and domestic-partnership laws, various states — and our federal government as well — are again creating ‘public policy,’ this time favoring homosexual behavior,” he said. “When the liberals are in control, it will not take long for tax exemptions for churches and religious entities to be revoked if they will not bow down to the god of homosexuality. Churches especially should heed the clear warning of this Ocean Grove situation. If you're going to stand for righteousness in the area of biblical sexuality, you may have to pay the price.”
