This, too, could pass: Christian group’s rule keeping beaches closed on Sunday mornings may end

[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnOCEAN GROVE, N.J. (AP) — In this seaside community that calls itself “God’s Square Mile at the Jersey Shore,” all the land is owned by a religious group that has for generations enforced an 11th Commandment: Thou shalt stay off the beach on Sunday morning.But there are signs that decades-old policy may be coming to an end as a way to resolve a court case brought by the state of New Jersey that could cost the group $25,000 a day in fines for violating state beach access laws.
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which has kept beaches closed until noon on Sundays, has deleted that restriction from its website. Item 4 under “Beach Regulations” used to outline the Sunday morning closure. Now, just the number “4” remains on the site, followed by blank space.
The association and its lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for clarification Wednesday, and the state attorney general’s office said it was looking into the matter.
Restricting activity on Sunday morning is central to Ocean Grove’s very existence. It was founded in 1869 as a Methodist retreat, centered on an enormous hall called The Great Auditorium, where worship services are held near rows of tent cabins where summer pilgrims come to live in …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]