Washington D.C., Sep 21, 2007 / 08:43 am
The state of New Jersey denied the tax-exempt status of part of a Methodist campground because it has refused to host same-sex ceremonies. Ocean Grove Camp Ground in New Jersey was founded and has been privately owned by a Methodist organization since 1870.
According to the New York Times, the state commissioner of environmental protection declined to recertify a boardwalk pavilion as tax-exempt because the campground would not allow a lesbian couple to have their civil union ceremony there. The lesbian couple has filed a civil rights complaint with the state against the campground association.
Association leaders point to the United Methodist Church's official prohibition against same-sex unions on church property.
"The state ruled that the boardwalk pavilion no longer met the tax-exempt requirement as a place fully open to the public, which is inaccurate,” said Mark Tooley of United Methodist Action. "Contrary to New Jersey's assertions, the Ocean Grove Camp Ground Association has not limited the use of its boardwalk pavilion to any person, rather it has prohibited some behavior, according to the principles of the United Methodist Church.”
"The New Jersey government is now interfering with the camp association's religious liberty by revoking its green space tax exemption,” he said in a press release. “This tax exemption had previously been renewed year after year without objection. Now suddenly it has become endangered in a vindictive political attack unrelated to environmental protection or green space."