Pataskala Residents Question Plans for Buddhist Temple

June 24, 2009

Author: Chad Klimack

Source: The Buddhist Channel/The Newark Advocate

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=62,8314,0,0,1,0

Some area residents and religious leaders are worried about a proposed Buddhist development setting up shop along Blacks Road on the city's eastern edge.

Residents and pastors recently approached the Pataskala City Council to express their concerns.

"I question where the funding comes from, and what their real intentions are and the impact on the community long-term," said Gale Road resident Glenn Graham, a pastor at a Kirkersville-area church.

Valley Road resident Andrea Adkins questioned the proposed development's financial impact on the city, considering one element would possess tax-exempt status.

"There's not tax money coming in," Adkins said. "That's not going to benefit the city at all."

Pastor Gary Nelson, of One Purpose Community Church, added he has nothing against Buddhists, although they possess differing views. However, Nelson questioned how the development would incorporate a temple with a restaurant, market and spa.

"I see a businesses set up on a nonprofit status," he said. "I don't know really how that's going to benefit the community that much if they use the religious status that me, as a pastor, I understand, but to come in and try to funnel money maybe out of this country, I have no idea. Those are questions I would like to have answered through this process."