I don’t usually like to post articles from other websites on this blog but this one disgusted me so much I just had to. I think for anybody that has even halfway followed my writing will know that I hate the disrespect laid upon our ancestors by the coal industry. The story that follows takes disrespect to a whole new level of disgusting.
Battle to Mine Coal Under Graveyard, Draws Reaction Story by Jerry Echemann
BELMONT, Ohio — A battle to mine coal under an historical church and graveyard in Belmont County, took on biblical proportions Friday.
Church leaders have already voted to allow the mining, but others say it’s wrong to disturb those who’ve been laid to rest there.
Ohio Valley Coal wants to mine an additional 1,500 acres in Smith and Goshen Townships. The state held a hearing Friday on their permit request. The Pastor of Chestnut Level Church said economic and Biblical ramifications were considered before giving the green light.
The Chestnut Level Church has been around since 1856. The pastor, at a hearing before the Department of Natural Resources, says mine subsidence is no factor since it can’t be fixed anyway. He said they don’t even ring the church bell for fear it will fall.
“A heavy snow and a strong wind will blow it down. We have tiles falling down on us. It’s in severe disrepair.” Rev. Brent Hopper said.
The 200 year old graves at the site present a different story. But the pastor pointed out that most of it could legally fall under the fringe of the mining. Hopper believes graves will see less damage by the decision to sell the entire coal rights.
The pastor, like a lot of other people, has ancestors buried here. And there we enter the religious realm.
“When are we going to draw the line? You can’t even rest in peace when you’re dead.” Belmont County resident Cheryl Skinner said.
Skinner said profits are the motivating factor, when respect for the dead should be.
But the pastor, whose grandparents are buried at the cemetery, takes a different view of what it means to disturb the dead.“But you know something? My grandmother is not there. My grandfather is not there. The carcass they left behind is there, but they are not there. They are with the Lord. What is here they’ve got no use for.”
If the coal is mined, a new Chestnut Level Church is expected to be built. No decision on the mining permit was made.
I’m not going to get into a big discussion about religion but in my opinion the Rev. Brent Hopper has reserved his place alright - in Hell. Somebody needs to take this man out behind the church and teach him the meaning of respect.
Seriously, how far are we willing to go for profit or cheap energy? Humanity has reached a new low when our ancestors are disturbed for coal, a non-renewable resource. Mark my words, there will come a time, in our lifetime, when we regret some of the decisions we have made and continue to make for cheap energy. This story, in and of itself, is one prime example. Mountaintop removal is another.
I think it is way past time to rein in the destructive ignorance of the coal industry. And those who look upon the coal industry and see dollar signs. They are all a disgrace to the human race.
Denny - thanks for posting this. An eye-opening example to help people understand the choke hold that the coal industry has on our communities.
I’ve talked to pastors who have been threatened by the coal thugs. I know of small churches where coal bosses are members and threaten to withhold their tithing if the pastor speaks out against MTR.
In this case I’m particularly perplexed by the pastor’s statement “economic and Biblical ramifications were considered.” We know what the economic ramifications are. What are the Biblical ramifications? My Bible says that God will destroy those who destroy the earth. I’m sure that also applies to graves that are in the earth. I’m just dumbfounded!
I think it is insane to even consider mining under a graveyard. It shows clearly the coal industry will go to any length to make a buck. If they will do this it makes one wonder, is there any point at which the coal industry will draw the line?
Denny, great post. This just goes to show that “coal kills,” even after ones dead, it keeps killing. It’s overkill. The complete cycle kills. From cradle to grave, and then some.
white people graveyards are just the most recent issue. these bastards have been steadily destroying indian rockhouses and burial grounds.
denny you are damn straight there is a place where the draw the line. it is at the break even point. anything that makes money is ethical, anything that doesn’t make money is unethical. until it makes money.
something is wrong with folks whose morals are prescribed by market conditions. that goes for every one involved, and perhaps it shows us a path by which to resolve this contradiction, starting with labor first.