OCEAN GROVE, NJ: Christian Ministry Files Suit to Prevent N.J. from Mandating Its Facilities Be Used for Civil Unions

"Independence Law Center" <citizenactioncenter@gmail.com>
contact Randall Wenger, chief counsel
717-799-4288 August 13, 2007

OCEAN GROVE, N.J. - The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the United Methodist Church filed suit in federal court on Saturday to prevent the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights from prosecuting the ministry for refusing to open its facilities for use in civil union ceremonies.

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association was founded over 100 years ago in order to advance the cause of Christianity. The ministry owns a large tract of land along the New Jersey shore, including a boardwalk pavilion that is regularly used for worship services.

The ministry had previously allowed this facility to be used for wedding ceremonies. However, a lesbian couple recently filed a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights claiming they were discriminated against when the ministry denied their request to use the facility.

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association desires to continue to live out the Christian beliefs of the ministry without fear of prosecution because of its decision not to facilitate civil unions. "A religious organization need not surrender its religious mission and communicate support for the politically correct.

The U.S. Constitution preserves our rights to live out our faith and express our differences with the culture," said Randall Wenger of the Independence Law Center. The Independence Law Center and the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit on behalf of the ministry on Saturday.

---The Independence Law Center was formed to engage the culture war, especially in the area of the place of religion in society, First Amendment rights, and traditional values. The Independence Law Center seeks primarily to educate both our adversaries and government officials, including assistance in drafting legislation and policies.

However, we are ready to litigate in order to restore and defend self-evident truth. The Independence Law Center is a branch of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, a 501(c)3 organization funded through tax-deductible donations.