Sunday, December 16, 2007 | Reason : In the News | print version

Creationists plan British theme park

by Observer UK

Thanks to John Allison for the link.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2228201,00.html

Creationists plan British theme park

A business trust is looking at sites for a Christian showplace to challenge the theory of evolution

The latest salvo in creationism's increasingly ferocious battle with evolution is about to be fired in Lancashire. Not in a fiery sermon preached from the pulpit, but in the form of a giant Christian theme park that will champion the book of Genesis and make a multi-media case that God created the world in seven days.

The AH Trust, a charity set up last year by a group of businessmen alarmed by the direction in which they see society heading, has identified a number of potential sites in the north west of England to build the £3.5m Christian theme park.

The trust claims it already has a number of rich backers who are keen to invest in the project, which will boast two interactive cinemas, a cafeteria, six shops and a television recording studio, allowing it to produce its own Christian-themed films and documentaries.

The 5,000-capacity park will be the first of its kind in Britain, but not in the world. In Orlando, Florida, hundreds of thousands of visitors make pilgrimages to the Holy Land Experience, where they can see a bloodied Jesus forced to carry his cross by snarling Roman soldiers.

Peter Jones, one of the Lancashire theme park's trustees, said the emphasis would be on multimedia rather than the costume re-enactments of famous biblical scenes favoured at Holy Land. 'It will be a halfway house for youngsters,' Jones said. 'Today all they do is binge drink. We will be able to offer them an alternative.'

By producing its own films, the trust believes it will be able to provide an antidote to modern culture. It says on its website: 'On television today there is so much sex and violence, it is no wonder our youth are binge drinking ... This is a revolutionary scheme requiring innovative people with the vision to bring about change and a new direction.'

It declined to say who the backers were, but admitted it is talking to a number of businessmen who have invested in city academies, leading to speculation that it may have approached Sir Peter Vardy, who has given millions of pounds to advance the claims of creationism - the belief that God created the world and that Darwin's theory of evolution is wrong.

While the plans for the park are still in their infancy, the trust has big ambitions. A business plan available to prospective investors suggests the park could bring in £4.8m a year - apparently 10 times its estimated overhead costs.

The trust also says it plans to apply for government grants and European funding to help it realise its dream of turning the television studio into 'an international leader in promoting family-oriented Christian programmes'.

Although concerns about the direction of modern society are the trust's main motivation for building the theme park, it is also in response to what the trustees identify as a sense of drift within the Church of England.

'The church in this country is in crisis and many church leaders living in Australia, America and Canada have openly proclaimed that God has left the church in England,' the trust states on its website.

'Evolution has falsely become the foundation of our society and we need the television studio to advocate Genesis across this land in order to remove this falsehood, which presently is destroying the church foundation.'

The theme park's anti-evolution bias and its emphasis on Genesis has raised eyebrows among planning officials, according to Jones, who originally wanted to build the park at the site of an old B&Q store but was refused permission by the council.

'Wigan council slammed the door in our faces. You mention the C [Christian] word, and people don't want to know,' Jones said.

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1. Comment #99278 by Mark Till on December 16, 2007 at 8:40 am

I wonder whether councils would allow a Holocaust-denial park boasting "two interactive cinemas, a cafeteria, six shops and a television recording studio, allowing it to produce its own Holocaust-never-happened-themed films and documentaries."

Suspect not.

Other Comments by Mark Till

2. Comment #99281 by Diacanu on December 16, 2007 at 8:44 am

Oh....oh Britain, I'm so sorry.

*Tight hug with back patting*

Shhhh....shhhhh....easy....shhh...I know, I know...

Other Comments by Diacanu

3. Comment #99284 by Northern Bright on December 16, 2007 at 8:52 am

Great. I'm all for it. Who'd visit it? All those youngsters who apparently just want to spend their time binge-drinking? I don't think so. This is a great way for the creationists to lose a LOT of money. And once they've lost it, they can't use it to "buy" a City Academy and pump this nonsense into the heads of youngsters who don't have the option of staying away. Brilliant. Best news I've heard for ages :-)

You mention the C [Christian] word, and people don't want to know,' Jones said.

Yup. My point exactly.

Other Comments by Northern Bright

4. Comment #99286 by OculusMortis on December 16, 2007 at 8:55 am

To be honest I Can't see this mattering a whole lot, I doubt they will even recoup their running costs.
However I do find it worrying that the article presents little criticism of the evolution-deniers views and retarded comments, I suppose its the usual Golden Mean school of journalism.

Other Comments by OculusMortis

5. Comment #99287 by Katherine on December 16, 2007 at 8:59 am

I wonder if Alister Mcgrath will do the opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting?

Other Comments by Katherine

6. Comment #99288 by steve99 on December 16, 2007 at 9:01 am

Northern Bright:

Very good point. Let them go try and fail spectacularly.

[Oh, and completely off (this) topic, but I have finished reading "Northern Lights", and rather liked it. Sorry]

Other Comments by steve99

7. Comment #99289 by Diacanu on December 16, 2007 at 9:01 am

Mcgrath- But before I cut the ribbon, what I want to say is......

Whole crowd in unison- Awww..son. Of. A. BITCH!!

Other Comments by Diacanu

8. Comment #99290 by justdust on December 16, 2007 at 9:05 am

Good grief.

So that's why kids binge drink - no religion - simple!

Other Comments by justdust

9. Comment #99293 by Northern Bright on December 16, 2007 at 9:10 am

[Oh, and completely off (this) topic, but I have finished reading "Northern Lights", and rather liked it. Sorry]

It's ok, Steve99 - I can cope with a difference of opinion over a work of children's literature! No fatwas required.

Other Comments by Northern Bright

10. Comment #99294 by Northern Bright on December 16, 2007 at 9:14 am

'On television today there is so much sex and violence, it is no wonder our youth are binge drinking ...'

Is it just me, or is this a spectacular non sequitur?

Other Comments by Northern Bright

11. Comment #99295 by Diacanu on December 16, 2007 at 9:17 am

Oh, wait, my skit doesn't quite work, brits don't use "son of a bitch", as commonly as us yanks do.
What would be the closest corrolary?

Other Comments by Diacanu

12. Comment #99296 by Matt7895 on December 16, 2007 at 9:19 am

Northern Bright has hit the nail on the head. There is simply no call for this kind of thing in the UK. Creationism does not have a foothold here, and society itself is mostly secular with very few fundamentalists or evangelicals.

This theme park will fail.

Other Comments by Matt7895

13. Comment #99298 by PJG on December 16, 2007 at 9:21 am

Oh....oh Britain, I'm so sorry.

*Tight hug with back patting*

Shhhh....shhhhh....easy....shhh...I know, I know...

Thank you Diacanu.

The trust also says it plans to apply for government grants and European funding to help it realise its dream of turning the television studio into 'an international leader in promoting family-oriented Christian programmes'.

Presumably, this would mean using money from taxes.... whaaaaahh! More sympathy please...

Other Comments by PJG

14. Comment #99299 by Diacanu on December 16, 2007 at 9:21 am

Matt7895-

I dunno...the French said that about EuroDisney...

Other Comments by Diacanu

15. Comment #99300 by Northern Bright on December 16, 2007 at 9:21 am

Oh, wait, my skit doesn't quite work, brits don't use "son of a bitch", as commonly as us yanks do.
What would be the closest corrolary?

How about "Oh, I say old chap"? ;-)

Other Comments by Northern Bright

16. Comment #99301 by octopus on December 16, 2007 at 9:29 am

The church in this country is in crisis and many church leaders living in Australia, America and Canada have openly proclaimed that God has left the church in England

Can't blame her. I guess the best of our weather got her eventually.

Other Comments by octopus

17. Comment #99302 by Diacanu on December 16, 2007 at 9:30 am

Northern Bright-

Really? To Mcgrath? No "sod off, bloody wanker"? No "ah, piss of, ya jammy ponce"?

PBS has lied to me!

Other Comments by Diacanu

18. Comment #99303 by PJG on December 16, 2007 at 9:31 am

I would like to think that the posts suggesting there would be no taste for, or patronage of, such a theme park were right but I am not so sure.

There are plenty of people in Britain who would take their children to a theme park who would not concern themselves with what the theme WAS.

This article is just too depressing for words.

Other Comments by PJG

19. Comment #99305 by Mark Till on December 16, 2007 at 9:39 am

Do you reckon it'll take more than a week to build...? Including a rest, obviously.

Other Comments by Mark Till

20. Comment #99306 by Diacanu on December 16, 2007 at 9:41 am

The ark animals will help. ;)

Other Comments by Diacanu

21. Comment #99308 by ramses on December 16, 2007 at 9:42 am

I think you are all underestimating the number of fundamentalists in the UK. Creationist Christians and Creationist Jews are quiet in the UK because, unlike the US, they are considered "crazies" by the mainstream. But they do exist, as the polls show, and I wouldn't be surprised if the museum is a success.

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22. Comment #99310 by Diacanu on December 16, 2007 at 9:44 am

Like I said, everyone thought EuroDisney would die a thousand deaths, but that sumbitch is thriving like a tumor in a pancreas.

Other Comments by Diacanu

23. Comment #99311 by Northern Bright on December 16, 2007 at 9:44 am

There are plenty of people in Britain who would take their children to a theme park who would not concern themselves with what the theme WAS.

Not all such attractions (sic)are commercial successes, PJG. Remember the Dome?

I can't see this working, I really can't. They'll be lucky to get approval for a site for starters - every Council is going to be wary of offending the non-Christians. And even if they get a site, who'll go? Seriously? It'll be the destination of choice for Sunday School outings, but those children are already having this stuff drummed into them.

Most parents who aren't already actively educating their children to be religious will avoid the place simply because it IS religious. In this country the non-religious equate religion with boredom (there's that to be said for enforced school assemblies, at least).

They'll get some custom, sure. But it costs a FORTUNE to run places like that. Even with the power of prayer on their side ;-) they'll struggle to cover their overheads.

No, the only way they'll get the crowds in if you ask me is if they perform re-enactments of Christians being thrown to the lions. Even I might go then :-)

Other Comments by Northern Bright

24. Comment #99314 by bertie wooster on December 16, 2007 at 9:49 am

What a pathetic waste of time and money. Hopefully a sensible council(oxymoron alert?) will reject their planning application.

Other Comments by bertie wooster

25. Comment #99315 by PJG on December 16, 2007 at 9:49 am

Northern Bright. Re. Comment 99311

I hope you are right.

I do think you have a point about them getting the planning permission. However, if the plans for the largest Mosque in Europe (in London) go through, they may get permission for this... just to be "fair"!

Other Comments by PJG

26. Comment #99316 by octopus on December 16, 2007 at 9:50 am

Do you reckon it'll take more than a week to build...? Including a rest, obviously.

Well, anything shorter than 4.5 bil. years would be too optimistic for British builders.

Other Comments by octopus

27. Comment #99317 by NJS on December 16, 2007 at 9:53 am

We shouldn't be so smug in the UK - all the "fat yank" jokes are beginning to haunt us given our obesity rates and I also remember a poll about a year ago suggesting 22% support for 7 day creationism and frighteningly high figures for support for teaching it.

Having said that I agree it should happen - the more bishops of carlisle/popes/teddy bears/creationist museums the better.

Other Comments by NJS

28. Comment #99318 by Northern Bright on December 16, 2007 at 9:54 am

Like I said, everyone thought EuroDisney would die a thousand deaths, but that sumbitch is thriving like a tumor in a pancreas.

Agreed, Diacanu. But Mickey Mouse is a lot more cute than either Cain OR Abel. And I just can't see a cuddly Abraham making it to every child's Christmas wish list - not even if he IS dragging a reluctant Isaac off to slaughter.

As for the other religions that share the creation myth, I can't see them supporting the place because I can't for one moment see the fundie Christians being satisfied with simply advocating creationism. They'll be plugging Christianity at every conceivable opportunity - and I can't see that going down well with their Jewish or Muslim clientele.

I would always have predicted EuroDisney being a success - what child wouldn't love it? But a fundie Christian propaganda fest?

Other Comments by Northern Bright

29. Comment #99319 by decius on December 16, 2007 at 9:57 am

What a huge non-sequitur. Let's spread and glorify ignorance and youngsters will stop binge drinking.

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30. Comment #99320 by 35bluejacket on December 16, 2007 at 10:01 am

They neeed a few of these theme parks in Finland and Sweden too.

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31. Comment #99321 by robzrob on December 16, 2007 at 10:04 am

Good old Wigan Council! Bless 'em.

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32. Comment #99322 by Scott McMeekin on December 16, 2007 at 10:09 am

PJG makes a good point. I'm sorry, I don't agree with the view that this would be harmless as there's no call for it in the UK. It would seem to me that there are more and more wingnuts from the rich business elite who understand how the machine of government works, who sponsor things like this, together with other examples like the sending of creationist materials to Scottish high-schools, and in particular, with the sudden springing up of evangelical baptist churches all over the place. You can't swing a cat in Scotland these days without hitting yet another dewey-eyed, inanely grinning born-again. (Forgive the cat image - I have 3, and would never dream of using them to clobber a wingnut).

The observable fact is that the indoctrination, the mind-conditioning and the hubristic determination of these nutters has a cumulative effect if not challenged. The evangelical creationist movement in the US has gained great power precisely because several charismatic leaders stopped shouting at the rain, read a few law books and started using the system of government to further their agenda. It's that simple, and to deny that it's not happening in the UK (to a lesser extent perhaps) is just another facet of "the God Delusion". *Our* delusion is that "it can't happen here".

I dunno. Faith-based initiatives (read prosetylising opportunities) funded by the general tax purse. Faith-based schools (read segregational, sectarian, anti-pluralist educational establishments where dogma is presented as fact). Bishops with free passes into government on the strength of neither aptitude, experience, qualification, or indeed, electorial mandate, an ex-prime minister who's now come out as a devout wingnut on tv, trotting out the old "appeal to sympathy". Oh and on a visit to my son's prospective high-school for next year, I find that while the standard comparative religion curriculum is used, it's taught by a couple of "true-believers", and christianity is used to frame the context of their studies on morality.

Stop the world, I want to get off.

Scott.

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33. Comment #99323 by Roger Stanyard on December 16, 2007 at 10:12 am

We'd like to know who is behind this theme park. As far as we can make out, it looks to be a husband and wife team - Jones and hs wife. However, Jones seems to be claiming that he has business money behind it. I somehow doubt it as anyone with the slightest commercial ability would not build a touristy type park in Wigan.

With all due respect to the good denizens of the town, it has never had any reputation as a fun place to go to for a day out. Just the opposite, I'm afraid.

The serious creationists are too savvy as well. They know, nowadays, to locate where it is easiest to get to and from. That's why Answers in Genesis UK is located in Leicester and its "museum" (for want of a better word) is in Kentucky. Even andy McIntosh has let it be known he "dreams" of creating a theme park near Birmingham airport.

I checked today AH Trust's latest accounts filed with the Charity Commission and it appears to have virtually no assets or cash whatsoever.

Jones himself is unknown to us at the BCSE; he doesn't appear connected with any of the creationist groups and I am not aware of his presence in the broacasting industry (an area where I mostly work in).

About three or four years back there was another plan for such a theme park, to be based in Yorkshire. It got absolutely nowhere because there were simply nowhere near enough fundamentalists to stump up the money. Despite all their shouting, the creationist groups have very little money or income between them and have all been totally eclipsed by Answers in Genesis UK.

Quite franky, Jones looks to me to be a complete rank amateur who is well out of his depth. I could be wrong, though.

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34. Comment #99325 by fatcitymax on December 16, 2007 at 10:16 am

Recently I read that Liberty University will be opening a campus in the UK.

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35. Comment #99326 by Scott McMeekin on December 16, 2007 at 10:19 am

#33 @Roger

Quite franky, Jones looks to me to be a complete rank amateur who is well out of his depth. I could be wrong, though.

One wonders if someone somewhere might have said something similar about Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Ted Haggard, George Bush et al.

Scott.

Other Comments by Scott McMeekin

36. Comment #99327 by bwana ndege on December 16, 2007 at 10:19 am

What a great place to go binge drinking. Got pissed at Disneyworld once. Pirates of the Caribbean was particularly good. AND people to take the mick out of. BONUS!

Obviously I wouldn't pay to get in.

Other Comments by bwana ndege

37. Comment #99328 by faith in trees on December 16, 2007 at 10:20 am

Truly scary,

Creationism in the UK, I really believe that it shouldn't get a penny in grants from the UK or the European Union. I'm so tired of the church masquerading as a wing of the state.

So long as they stay out of the science classroom.....

Other Comments by faith in trees

38. Comment #99329 by Rtambree on December 16, 2007 at 10:23 am

Every British scientist will be honing their comic skills trashing this place. While it lasts, it'll be the laughing stock of the country. If the entrace admission fee is cheap enough, I might even visit "ironically" - there might a guilty pleasure as when Victorians visited lunatic asylums and poked the inmates with sticks.

Other Comments by Rtambree

39. Comment #99330 by Northern Bright on December 16, 2007 at 10:26 am

I dunno. Faith-based initiatives (read prosetylising opportunities) funded by the general tax purse. Faith-based schools (read segregational, sectarian, anti-pluralist educational establishments where dogma is presented as fact). Bishops with free passes into government on the strength of neither aptitude, experience, qualification, or indeed, electorial mandate, an ex-prime minister who's now come out as a devout wingnut on tv, trotting out the old "appeal to sympathy". Oh and on a visit to my son's prospective high-school for next year, I find that while the standard comparative religion curriculum is used, it's taught by a couple of "true-believers", and christianity is used to frame the context of their studies on morality.

I agree with you on all these points, Scott, and suspect that a lot of people south of the border would be surprised at just how much of a grip fundie Christianity has on large parts of Scotland. I regularly refer to the Highlands & Islands as the UK's Bible Belt.

I'm certainly not complacent about the role of "faith" in public life - far from it. I just don't see this particular idea getting off the ground. So long as it just looks as if a lot of private money will be wasted, that's fine by me. The moment there's a whiff of public money going into it, I shall be joining you all on the barricades, I promise you!

Other Comments by Northern Bright

40. Comment #99331 by Matt7895 on December 16, 2007 at 10:28 am

Even andy McIntosh has let it be known he "dreams" of creating a theme park near Birmingham airport.

Then he's an even bigger fool that I originally thought! I happen to live near Birmingham Airport. The land around here is VERY well protected, it is part of the 'Meriden Gap', a green belt that cannot be built on. The airport itself has had trouble getting permission for a new runway. I highly doubt a Creationist's chances at building a theme park here.

Other Comments by Matt7895

41. Comment #99335 by kestrelhill on December 16, 2007 at 10:55 am

Have you seen John Scalzi's hilarious account of a visit to the Creation Museum in Kentucky? Read it and weep:

http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=121

and don't miss the accompanying photo essay, as well.

Other Comments by kestrelhill

42. Comment #99336 by 35bluejacket on December 16, 2007 at 10:55 am

Keeping in mind that "He who has the gold, makes the rules", it seems to make sense to keep educating them (GDs to the MPs) to secularism while depleating the creationist's coffers.

Other Comments by 35bluejacket

43. Comment #99337 by steveroot on December 16, 2007 at 10:57 am

5. Comment #99287 by Katherine on December 16, 2007 at 8:59 am
I wonder if Alister Mcgrath will do the opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting?

No, they are hoping for someone *higher up*! :-)

When they have an interactive burning bush and life-sized ark (with petting zoo), I'll finally have a good reason to visit the UK. The new holy land.
Steve

Other Comments by steveroot

44. Comment #99338 by tybowen on December 16, 2007 at 11:06 am

"'Today all they do is binge drink. "
Hmmm...drinking or going to church....I know I'd need a good binge after seeing that place to erase the memory. Or before to make me stomach it.

Other Comments by tybowen

45. Comment #99339 by LeroiJones on December 16, 2007 at 11:19 am

I think this is really quite worrying. I thought until quite recently that creationism not very popular here especially as the Church of England is generally regarded as very wishy- washy but a few weeks ago when I was doing supply in a Cof E primary school I watched an assembly which taught ID as fact. It was very clever and sent chills down my spine. I enquired a little further and apparently there are a number of creationists doing that in midst. The way they do it is very discreet but it is happening and this park will be seen as encouragement by them. Scary stuff.

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46. Comment #99340 by Roger Stanyard on December 16, 2007 at 11:21 am

Well, some of the people at BCSE have dug aound a bit this afternoon and come up with some background on Jones. He's a genuine programme producer and literary agent and knows the ins and outs of financing programmes, it appears.

However, I'll comment on Scott's points about the likes of Falwell, Hagard and Robertson. They may be bonkers when it comes to religion but I would never ever under-estimate both their business and organisational accumen. Robertson is reported to be personally worth up to US$1 billion.

This is one of the reasons why fundamentalists are so dangerous. They are damn good at what they do when it comes to money, politics, power and influence. Never under-estimate one's enemy.

Other Comments by Roger Stanyard

47. Comment #99343 by Roger Stanyard on December 16, 2007 at 11:26 am

LeroiJones,

Could you let us know which school it is that is teaching creationism/ID to small children? The national press would love to know. Enail me off site if need be.

This is exactly the way we should be fighting the creationists/IDers rather than being just a lot of people on te Internet talking to each other.

Roger Stanyard, British Centre for Science Education (www.bcseweb.org.uk). My email is rogerATdttconsulting.fsnet.co.uk

Other Comments by Roger Stanyard

48. Comment #99344 by Matt7895 on December 16, 2007 at 11:37 am

Better yet, report that school IMMEDIATELY to Ofsted here:

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/

It is prohibited to teach intelligent design/creationism in British schools, and I'm sure Ofsted and the DfES will be very interested to know one primary school has decided to play against the rules.

Other Comments by Matt7895

49. Comment #99345 by GBile on December 16, 2007 at 11:37 am

There is a relieve close by, in the middle of Amsterdam, Holland. A scientific themepark called NEMO.
http://www.e-nemo.nl/index.php?id=5&s=85&d=551

But there was also someone who built an Ark in that country ...

Other Comments by GBile

50. Comment #99347 by phasmagigas on December 16, 2007 at 12:05 pm

only the most die hard fundies in the UK would make a trip to a place like this.

the concept of acceptable traveling distances in the UK is nothing like in the USA. I have driven almost an hour in the USA to find a decent asian grocers and not found that considered unreasonable (aside from the CO2 emissions) but in the UK if you did that youd be seen as totally crazy. I personally (in the UK) dont know anybody aside from some muslims who are actual creationists. Most who go to church do so becasue its seen as a bit 'respectable' rather than anything to do with an honest to god faith. If this did open i'd like to see natural selection at work and watch it fail. As a whole the british are just a bit more skeptical, or should i say cynical than people in the USA, that whole clapping/crying/BIG praying thing is seen as somewhat embarrasing and something that puts you in the oddball bracket.

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