Ave Maria, Florida -- anyone else heard about this?

[Alice Sr.]

Just curious. What's the "draw" for you? Why would living in a Catholic community be better than living where you do now? You're obviously free to practice your religion anywhere. And I'm guessing you're part of a church community. Why would you be interested in this? I'm honestly curious about this.

Perhaps if you think of it like a cultural thing. Where I come from there are many different communities such as Greektown, Little Italy ect. I'm sure many of those people could live where ever they want to but choose to live in a community of people that they have something in common with and a variety of other reasons.

 

[MrsKreamer]

I think the only reason most have a problem with this is b/c it's Catholic.

Just to clarify booze wouldn't be banned...Catholics are allowed to drink!

 

[mom2boys]

Let me start off by saying that I am Catholic. I don't see myself moving to such a community (ignoring the relocation issue at this point).
I don't see this community as being any different than any other planned community. As others have pointed out, it would be like living within a Home Owner's Association community. I also liken it to a Adults Only type community. I don't choose to live in either. DH wouldn't last 2 sceonds being told what color to paint the front door or dictating when the garbage could be on the curb. It's not that he probably wouldn't naturally fall within the perameters of the rules, he just doesn't like to be "told" how to live his life. I agree. When I reach "maturity" (ie: adult living age), I doubt I will choose such a community. I will decide who can sleep in under my roof and for how many nights. I would never choose to live in a situation where my kids/grandkids weren't welcomed.
Although it's not for me, I can see the attraction for some.

 

[momof2inPA]

One of the things they wanted was to have porn free cable. The cable company told them it would be un-constitutional.

 

[mom2boys]

One of the things they wanted was to have porn free cable. The cable company told them it would be un-constitutional.

I'd like porn-free cable myself.

 

[zippeedee]

I'd like porn-free cable myself.

Can't you just block those channels? You have a choice to watch or not, the government or Mr Domino's shouldn't be deciding for you.

I think there is also an issue with incorporating a town, accepting state and federal funds for schools, police, fire etc and then placing restrictions on the residents. Even if they live there by choice, if they take tax money they have to follow the law.

 

[jodifla]

This seems like a blatant erosion of the separation between church and state.

And yes, in the small picture, it's as people say: If you don't want to follow the rules, don't move there.

But what happens when other towns try to follow, or a state government decides to do the same thing?

 

[Alice Sr.]

Could it be possible that the media got a hold of the story to develop a catholic community around the college and then sensationalized it? The brief interview I saw said much hype had been made and many of the things reported were not true. I work with major developers for a living and I can tell you they are not stupid, they know exactly what can and can't be done. Not to say that they won't try to push the limits of the law. But this could never resemble a "Vatican City" plopped down in the middle of south FL.

 

[Chuck S]

I think he should rename his town. It should be called Stepford.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it if they kept the whole community a completely private entity. Meaning, no public paid roads, no public funded schools, no public funded police force.

As for people not moving there who don't agree, what's going to happen when the next generation in the town comes of age and don't agree with the rules? Do they need to get out of town, or will they be able to have a say in how their town is governed?

 

[froglady]

Can't you just block those channels? You have a choice to watch or not, the government or Mr Domino's shouldn't be deciding for you.

I think there is also an issue with incorporating a town, accepting state and federal funds for schools, police, fire etc and then placing restrictions on the residents. Even if they live there by choice, if they take tax money they have to follow the law.

I assume that they would have Catholic schools, not public. They would pay the same county property taxes as everyone else, which is what pays for fire, police, etc. I doubt they would be TAKING any tax money, just using public services that their taxes have paid for, just like you or I do.