Methodist Campground’s Lawsuit Goes Forward; Investigation On Hold
By Allie Martin, OneNewsNow.com The attorney general of New Jersey has temporarily halted an investigation into a Methodist campground that has come under fire over its support of traditional marriage.
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to keep the state from enforcing anti-discrimination laws. That action came after two same-sex couples filed complaints against the organization, claiming it was breaking the law by refusing to allow same-sex “weddings” at the pavilion.
However, the attorney general said he would temporarily suspend an investigation until a federal judge decides on two motions in the Association’s lawsuit against the state. Brian Raum is senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing the association. Raum says the most they could have hoped for was the judge to issue a temporary stay.
“And we didn’t have to have that happen because the attorney general’s office agreed to it — and that’s a very good thing,” the attorney explains. “That means the investigation against Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association is stopped until the federal court can decide the First Amendment issues in this case. That’s a very good thing.”
He says “religious organizations have a right to use their facilities in a way that is consistent with their teachings” — adding that “if the state comes in and tells the church or religious organization that they have to permit same-sex civil unions, or anything else for that matter, we have a big constitutional problem on our hands.”
In the meantime, Raum says the Methodist-owned campground does not have to allow same-sex ceremonies on its property. The Association argues it should be exempt from any anti-discrimination laws because it is a religious group.
(Source: OneNewsNow.com)
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