AR Pastor and Gov. Mansion At Odds Over Grand Hall Policy
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Updated: October 26, 2012
"The Grand Hall may not be used for religious affiliated organizations."
It is that policy statement from the Arkansas' Governor's Mansion in Little Rock that touched off a sharp disagreement between Stuttgart Pastor David Bush and staffers who run the Grand Hall at the mansion.
Bush, a Methodist pastor, wants to hold a ceremony to honor retiring military chaplains as he has in the past. He feels the religious organizations are being pushed aside.
"I think in this case the faith community is being discriminated against...I just wanted to do something extra and show my appreciation of the retired (military) ministers," he said.
Gov. Beebe's spokesman Matt DeCample says Grand Hall has no choice but to limit what organization can hold events due to the flood of requests, 160 to 170 a month.
"It came to the point where either you have one fair rule across the board that it has to be a nondenominational event," DeCample said, adding: "Or you have to pick and choose individual churches which we didn't want to get into."
Others think the situation highlights the need to reinforce the separation of church and state.
"Churches don't pay taxes and governments don't allow church services on their property," said Anne Orsi, a Little Rock attorney and Vice President of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers, a secular humanist group.
DeCample says the Mansion's policy over not allowing specific denominations to hold events was not driven by the separation of church and state concept.
The Grand Hall is open to nonprofit groups, clubs, associations and some government agencies for events.
Bush said he plans to hold a ceremony for retired military chaplains next year at another facility in Benton.
It is that policy statement from the Arkansas' Governor's Mansion in Little Rock that touched off a sharp disagreement between Stuttgart Pastor David Bush and staffers who run the Grand Hall at the mansion.
Bush, a Methodist pastor, wants to hold a ceremony to honor retiring military chaplains as he has in the past. He feels the religious organizations are being pushed aside.
"I think in this case the faith community is being discriminated against...I just wanted to do something extra and show my appreciation of the retired (military) ministers," he said.
Gov. Beebe's spokesman Matt DeCample says Grand Hall has no choice but to limit what organization can hold events due to the flood of requests, 160 to 170 a month.
"It came to the point where either you have one fair rule across the board that it has to be a nondenominational event," DeCample said, adding: "Or you have to pick and choose individual churches which we didn't want to get into."
Others think the situation highlights the need to reinforce the separation of church and state.
"Churches don't pay taxes and governments don't allow church services on their property," said Anne Orsi, a Little Rock attorney and Vice President of the Arkansas Society of Freethinkers, a secular humanist group.
DeCample says the Mansion's policy over not allowing specific denominations to hold events was not driven by the separation of church and state concept.
The Grand Hall is open to nonprofit groups, clubs, associations and some government agencies for events.
Bush said he plans to hold a ceremony for retired military chaplains next year at another facility in Benton.
Comments
Why is it every time an issue comes up, somebody cries separation of church and state. The state ended church and state when the democratic party decided to start legislating what they think is right on church matters, like abortion & homosexuality. It's the church that has the responsiblity to deternine what's moral & what's not. So, please spare me of the agony of reading about the separation of church & state when the govenment has already decided to end separation of church and state. The only time they're interested in separation of church & state is to use it against the church. The only authority of what's right & wrond is the word of God. I believe those called of God to preach the gospel is more qualified to separate what is right & wrong over the politicians that keep crying separation of church & state every time they get in a jam. Thanks Al
Al C.
October 29, 2012 at 2:01 pm
