Christian enclave known as ‘God’s Square Mile’ who banned people from using public beaches due to bizarre belief could finally be stopped after they ‘made people buy badges with the CROSS on them’

“God’s Square Mile,” a Christian enclave in New Jersey, could be stopped from banning people from using public beaches on Sunday mornings.

The state of New Jersey is suing the religious group in a case that could result in the community paying $25,000 a day in fines for violating beach access laws.

The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which owns all the land in the small town of Ocean Grove, including the beach, claims the policy is consistent with its religious beliefs about the Day of the Lord.

It also says the rule is about giving lifeguards time off, promoting a “better quality of life” and keeping more parking available for other businesses on Sundays.

However, New Jersey argues in legal documents that the chains and locks used to keep the public off the sand violate the association’s authority to operate a beach.

Local resident Harriet Bernstein (right, pictured with her partner, left) said: ‘I feel less comfortable imposing their religion on everyone who lives here’

The Association has removed from its website the rule that the beach is closed until 12 noon on Sundays.

In its own legal filings, however, the Association argues that the state is attempting to violate the group’s constitutional rights to freedom of religion, taking private property, due process and equal protection.

‘All citizens are welcome [onto the beach] 365 days a year. Everyone, regardless of race, creed, religion or orientation, is welcome on this private property 99.5% of the year,” the Association wrote in its application.

They added that limiting beach access for 45 hours per year between Memorial Day and Labor Day is “manifestly reasonable.”

Located 60 miles south of New York City, Ocean Grove was originally founded in 1869 as a Methodist retreat.

“We just feel that this is wrong, that this is not what America is for, and it makes life here very uncomfortable if you are gay, if you are Jewish, if you are atheist or if you are agnostic,” said local resident Paul Martin. Jewish, told the Associated Press.

The state is suing the religious group in a case that could result in the community paying a $25,000 per day fine

Located 60 miles south of New York City, Ocean Grove was originally founded as a Methodist retreat

The association also requires all visitors to the beach to purchase badges with religious crosses on them

“We also have the right to live here,” Aliza Greenblatt, who is also Jewish, told AP.

She went on to say, “We are not anti-Christian. We just want the boundary between church and state to be respected.’

The association also requires all visitors to the beach to purchase badges with religious crosses on them.

For some, that feels like an ‘imposition’.

“I feel less comfortable about imposing their religion on everyone who lives here,” said Harriet Bernstein, who is in a lesbian relationship.

Of the crosses, she added, “I am Jewish; I don’t wear crosses.’