Jesus Land, Under Construction

Is this a warning of what will happen if the religious right takes over? Thomas Monaghan, founder of Dominos Pizza, is building a city in southwest Florida which he intends to be governed by strict Roman Catholic principles. The town is being built around Ave Maria University, the first catholic university to be built in the United States in 40 years. Both the college, being built by Monaghan, as well as the city, are to open next year about 25 miles east of Naples, Florida. Monaghan says it is “God’s Will” that this be built.

Managhan says that stores won’t be allowed to sell pornographic magazines, pharmacies won’t be allowed to sell condoms or birth control pills, and cable television won’t be allowed to carry X-rated channels. “I believe all of history is just one big battle between good and evil. I don’t want to be on the sidelines,” said Monaghan in a recent interview.

The ACLU says these restrictions are unconstitutional and plan lawsuits. They note that there are religiously homogenous communities across the country but none can “wield governmental power along the lines of religious principle.”

(Story is mentioned in online sources, but above written based upon local media which is more detailed due to Monaghan’s Michigan connection).