Pastor Ireland did not testify at last week's hearing. But according to some church members, he exhorted the congregation to seek divine blessing for the church application. Congregants were asked to pray and fast last Wednesday, the day of the most recent planning board hearing.
There are times when divine guidance is sought and other times when more earthly protection is needed.
Those who stay until the end of these planning board meetings can't help but notice that Ireland leaves the site, which is the auditorium of Morris Knolls High School, through a side door with a number of police officers at his side.
One can only wonder whether this is overkill, or, considering the sometimes emotional opposition, a needed precaution.
I must second your "Good Grief!". Lets talk about being a little dramatic here, this is an APPLICATION to build on wetlands...did he expect us all to smile, shake his hand and say "welcome and thank you for comprimising our well fields (our only source of water), the water supply for Jersey City, Newark, Kearney and other areas of NJ. Oh and thank you for adding traffic to a very small and winding road, and thank you for adding an amazing burden to our infrastructer (specificly fire/first aid and police) and letting us cover the costs for all of this!"
I hope the good people of Christ Church read this and understand this is not about them or their beliefs. I beg them to look at the facts and remember G-d has asked each of us to tend to this earth, the only one we have and to PLEASE help us protect it from harm. We wish you luck in finding a suitable location for your dreams to be fulfilled, but not at the cost of damage to the earth.
I find the reference in today's column to the good Rev. requiring an escort while leaving the building more than an overkill.
The people of Rockaway Township may be passionate in their rhetoric in opposing CC destroying their environment but violence is not their style. When the good Rev. acts in this manner it is an insult to every resident.
Why would the good Rev. want to relocate to a community where he fears for his safety and I would assume for his parishoners also?
The worst he could expect from an encounter with a resident would be questions which it appears he is unwilling to answer.
The comparison of mega church and big mac makes one think of the recent press on the dangers of the big mac to the health of our citizens just as the mega church is unhealthy for Rockaway Twp. and beyond.
What's next - a 10% tithe for flak jackets and armoured vans to transport folks in and out of the resort??? This Rev is going off the deep end, or is playing up the fear mongoring to a "T".
1 - Fasting is common sacrificial devotion in may religions. Catholics have ritualized it by the "No meat on Friday" method, a clear form of fasting (although how sacrificial is unclear).
I find it interesting that some here are choosing to attack Ireland & CC members for participating in this type of devotion.
These attacks expose the religious bigotry that seems to pervade the attitudes of the opposers on this board.
2 - Police escort: Again, Ireland is attacked for this, as if those here know for certain that Ireland asked for the escorts. I wasn't aware that the police took their marching orders from pastors. If I were to ask the police for an escort to the bathroom, it's unlikely they would accommodate me unless I had proof that their presence was needed.
Isn't it more likely that the police themselves have made the decision to provide the escort based on either the emotional responses by some residents or actual threats that have been made?
Ireland could have accepted or rejected the offer of escort. If he (and he won't, so this is strictly hypothetical) is he going to by offered or insist on a police escort wherever he goes in RT? Is he going to expect police protection as he performs on his stage 5 times each sunday?
I could never answer this question for somebody else, but if I was in a situation where the police suggested I might be in harms way and they were providing an escort, I can see no reason to refuse.
What the **$#@ is the Rev going to do if he ever got in here?? Hire mercenaries to guard the compound?? I can see them now, M-16's at the ready, german sheperds, patrolling the paved over wetlands. Yeah Matthew, just what we need in RT to spruce up the area.
