Mysore Prakash
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Township is not as hoity-toity, but has more class than West
Pikeland with regard to Hindu temple
Paul Carpenter
April 26, 2009
The township said in 2002 they could build a tiny structure, but
turned down a larger one after eight hearings, ending in January.
Such a temple, the township said, ''will not be compatible with and
in keeping with the existing character of the neighborhood.'' (The
neighborhood includes Vinnie's Pizzeria and a Sunoco gas station.)
The lawsuit says the township zoning ordinance allows for churches,
and the suit says that municipal staff members use public funds ''to
actively and vigorously promote Christian observances,'' but those
staffers are ''hostile to non-Christian observances.''
I also read the final township order of March 18, which said a Hindu
temple would have an ''adverse impact'' on the area. It even
prohibited certain things for the small existing facility, including
any bells and any external lighting of religious edifices. It also
banned wedding receptions and any sort of ''soup kitchen'' to help
the needy.
(I am trying to picture a government body anywhere in America that
would try to get away with such restrictions on a Judeo-Christian
establishment.)
Actually, it isn't that hard to imagine. In some secular areas out
here on the West Coast, getting a church permit is incredibly
difficult due to concerns about "parking", and attracting homeless
people by having a soup kitchen would freak out many neighborhoods.
NIMBY is fairly universal. :-/
And don't get me started about the difficulties with getting church
buildings in Hindu India -- though to be sure, the situation is far
worse in Muslim countries.
-- Ernie P.
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