Am I Crazy?

[luvthatduke]

Ok, I'm chuckling a little at the way the OP
wrote it out along with the visual, too.

However, this pastor needs to be held to some accountability.
If there was a way for me (if I were the OP)
to tell the elders/deacons of the church what he was doing,
I would do it.
The man is doing a disservice to Jesus Christ,
not just to himself or the church .
I'm glad you decided not to go!

 

[GoofieRuthie]

I think when the collection plate at that church got passed to me, I'd have to tell them "No, thanks. God made heaven and I shouldn't have to pay to get in."

 

[MELSMICE]

Where the heck is this place???

I just got back from the most beautiful & FREE beach in Northwest Florida-the whole coast is free!!! I can nOT imagine paying that much for the beach!!

If it's where I think the OP is talking about, it is in Ontario, Canada.

I think when the collection plate at that church got passed to me, I'd have to tell them "No, thanks. God made heaven and I shouldn't have to pay to get in."

 

[AprilShowers]

Not only would I not do it, I would seriously question the morals of my pastor if he wanted to do it.

ITA!!

 

[Daxx]

Daxx - I'm from Lancaster, NY & I believe I know the beach you're referring to. We have quite a few friends that own places up there & we rented every year for over 10 summers.

It is a beautiful beach, but not worth the $20 per person. When we go there for the day our friends leave us passes for entry.

It is hard to visualize, but believe me, some of them are beautiful, with add-a-rooms, decks, etc. Think more summer home than double wide trailer. A few families we know live in them all summer.

If it's where I think the OP is talking about, it is in Ontario, Canada.

Yes - you locals have it right -- it's Sherkston Shores (or Sherkston Beach before it went "upscale"!). And Melsmice is right -- they are not your usual "trailer park" fare. Some of those doublewides are nicer than some homes in our area!

 

[corgi_monster]

I'm probably going to get flamed, but I'm on the pastor's side. However, I am assuming that he really does believe God created all beaches to enjoy, and not that he was using that line as an excuse to justify cheating the beach.

I'm from Hawaii and most people here truly believe that it our right to have access to the beach. I feel that it is VERY wrong to charge people for beach access. There was a beach that tried to charge $1-$2 for access, and it was such a HUGE deal. Think protestors, boycotts, legislative action, etc. The cover fee was eventually dropped for state residents. When people with beach front properties errect fences that block beach access corridors, it's the lead in story of the evening news.

Maybe it's because I'm from a place where free public beach access is guaranteed by law, and is considered an inalienable right by many, but I'm on the pastor's side.

Instead of charging $20 for beach access, why don't they ban outside food and charge $3 for a soda?

 

[flipflop]

Last time I checked one of the Commandments is:

Thou shall not steal.

Seems like the pastor may have missed a lesson.

 

[budbeerlady]

Wow, I wouldnt be going. I am apalled that he would drive the church van and sneak in.

I think it is a bit much to pay for a beach but we have paid $10 before and I guess if I had to I would do it again. I think of it more as an entertainment fee, what can you do all day for $10 if it is clean and uncrowded.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

I think it's awful that the preacher suggested this. I would not even think of how to do that much less do it.

If he is that opposed to paying then he should find a free beach instead. Boycotting the beach would be much more effective than lying and cheating.

 

[Heidict]

Wow! If I found out that the pastor of my church was doing something like this I would be finding another church. He has the aduciaty to stand up their on the pulpit, preaching to his congregants about the 10 Commandments and the Bible but outside of the church he is a theif. Disgusting.

His excuse is nothing more then him trying to justify his actions. Trying to appease his guilt because he knows it's wrong. What a horrible example he is setting for his children and the members of his church.

Regardless if God made the beaches or not, this on is private. There is a fee to get in so that they can mantain the parking area, the lifeguards, the staff that they employee to oversee and clean up after people like him. If you don't agree with it, fine. Get off your behind and complain at the state level. Do something to get the rule and/or laws changed so that there is free public access at all beaches. To agree with breaking the law and stealing shows a complete lack of morals.

 

[mickeyfan2]

What kind of pastor is he? That is stealing and he knows it. Time for all who attend to find a new church.

 

[Heidict]

What kind of pastor is he? That is stealing and he knows it. Time for all who attend to find a new church.

I wonder though, for those that know he does stuff like this, why haven't they left? Do they agree with him? Or do they use it as a free pass to do things that they know are wrong? "Gee, my pastor does it, so it must be okay".

Talk about leading your flock astray! He will have to answer for this though and he is held to a higher standard. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes!!!

It's sad, but it seems in this day and age we are seeing more and more pastors that are doing things that are against the congregration and the bible and don't even think twice about it. What ever happened to the good ole days when you could rely on your pastor? When he really was honest and god fearing?

 

[pixie dust 112]

OMG(oodness) this is terrible! Could you maybe get someone to videotape this for us and put it on youtube? I figure the morning TV shows will pick it up and then the pastor can come on TV and explain why this is ok! (plus I'd really get a good laugh outta watching the video!)

 

[maelstrom]

This isn't stealing. It may be dishonest, but it isn't stealing. Stealing requires taking something.

You know what, I agree with the pastor. Natural things like beaches, forests, mountains, etc should be free for all to enjoy.

 

[Lizzy2]

This isn't stealing. It may be dishonest, but it isn't stealing. Stealing requires taking something.

You know what, I agree with the pastor. Natural things like beaches, forests, mountains, etc should be free for all to enjoy.

I'm sorry but I disagree. It is stealing. The charges maintain the property and when you don't pay them you are stealing the $ that is needed to maintain a clean and safe property. These folks do have a choice to go to a free, public beach. I will soon be living in a gated community with lakeside beaches and will pay a monthly dues to maintain these beautiful environments. If they don't want to pay they should go to the free beach where the town/state taxes that they pay probably maintain the beach and take a cooler with their lunch in it. As for that Pastor, all I can say is

 

[mickeyfan2]

This isn't stealing. It may be dishonest, but it isn't stealing. Stealing requires taking something.

You know what, I agree with the pastor. Natural things like beaches, forests, mountains, etc should be free for all to enjoy.

Are you the pastor?

 

[flipflop]

One of my favorite lines from my mother "lying by omission." You don't actually have to speak a lie in order to be lying. In a similar fashion, you don't actually have to take something to steal.

 

[Hound 109]

"Pastor Bob"......that's priceless.

I wouldn't let my kids get within a mile of that guy. The only thing worse than a hypocrite is a "christian" hypocrite.

 

[barkley]

This isn't stealing. It may be dishonest, but it isn't stealing. Stealing requires taking something.

You know what, I agree with the pastor. Natural things like beaches, forests, mountains, etc should be free for all to enjoy.

people can enjoy the forest, mountains and 'beach' (ponds ) on my property-but they can enjoy it by not entering it without my permission and adhering to whatever conditions i place upon their entry. the beach in the op has the condition of an entry fee-failing to pay the entry fee and sneaking in is tresspassing-which is very illegal.

 

[MELISAZACK]

Hummm.. I looked at the location on line...and the trailers don't seem to be all that....and to charge that much to get into just for the day seems extremely high priced...we have water parks that cost that much that give you more here.. I guess it is the location and what is acutally available in that part of canada...