In Ocean Grove, New Jersey, a controversy has erupted over the construction of a cross-shaped pier by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. The decision by the Christian special interest group to build the pier in the shape of a Christian cross has sparked anger among many residents, who feel that their religious freedom is being infringed upon.
The Association has defended its choice, stating that they “make no apology for the fact that [they] love the way it looks like a cross.” However, thousands of Jersey Shore residents have expressed their dissatisfaction, fearing that they may be pressured into participating in unwanted Christian worship.
The project to build the cross-shaped pier comes after the destruction of the original pier during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The Association, driven by religious beliefs, aimed to resurrect their Christian ideals by constructing a pier that symbolizes their faith. The privately funded pier, which will be accessible to the public, did not undergo an official approval process due to the use of undisclosed funds. This has raised concerns about the encroachment of Christian values into state affairs.