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Bible Theme Park Faces Opposition in Tennessee
by NPR
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90435219&ft=1&f=1001&sc=emaf
Bible Theme Park Faces Opposition in Tennessee
by Audie Cornish
Day to Day, May 15, 2008 · A developer wants to build what would be the country's largest Bible-based theme park in Tennessee, depicting scenes such as the parting of the Red Sea. But the plan has created a deep divide among locals.
Some welcome the $200 million, 280-acre Bible Park USA project as a way to bring in much-needed revenue to Rutherford County, while others are concerned about making money off the Bible.
The county's board of commissioners is gearing up to vote this week on whether to approve the theme park.
Not 'Six Flags over Jesus'
The project's developer Armon Bar-Tur, co-founder of New York-based SafeHarbor Holding, says he knows what comes to mind when people hear "Bible Park USA."
"Commercializing and tacky and it being a Six Flags [theme park] over Jesus," he says.
But that's not what he's going for. Unlike smaller religious attractions, Bar-Tur says, the park would focus on the historical aspects of the Bible — not on ministry.
"There's a lot of people who would like to go on a trip to the Holy Lands," he says, "but only a small percentage do, and that's because of time, money and fear," he says. "The idea is that people could come to the park and see a lot of similar ideas and recreations that you would see."
Rather than roller coasters, think actors working in a Galilean village. Instead of a waterslide, imagine an indoor exhibit on the parting of the Red Sea with water shooting into the air and the booming voice of Moses raining down.
Bar-Tur says the park would be a boon for Rutherford County, generating a projected $125 million in tax revenue over the next 25 years.
Worries About Traffic, Noise
Not everyone is convinced that the theme park would be a godsend.
"This man showed up, gave us this great idea that we never thought of and nobody ever had a need for — and all of a sudden in a little bit of a down year where we're looking for a little bit of a revenue, everyone sees it as a panacea," says resident Scott Yaeger, standing across from the rolling green fields slated for development with a handful of folks who oppose the park.
Detractors are worried about traffic and noise and water use — the typical "not-in-my-backyard" kind of stuff. And they don't believe Bible Park USA would pull in the 1.5 million people annually that the developer says it will.
"If the people in the so-called Bible Belt don't want to visit the park or think they might visit once and never return, what's going to bring the people in from outside that realm of the Bible Belt to make it an even bigger draw?" says Brandon Whitt who farms part of the land the park would occupy.
Whitt also says the idea of a nondenominational, nonreligious attraction doesn't sit well with him. He says he's got a problem with people making money off the Bible.
Filling the County's Coffers
Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess disagrees with this argument, noting that he's more concerned about finding revenues for the county's coffers.
"Do I want to go down to all the Christian book stores and say, 'You don't have a right to sell your products?'" Burgess says. "It's the same kind of approach, and I just really don't think we need to go there."
The park would be financed in part by county-backed bonds and deferred taxes in return for future revenues generated by the park. And Burgess and others say it's money that the county — which used to be rural but where the fastest-growing crops are now housing developments — badly needs.
That's also why longtime residents like Donald McDonald support the development. McDonald recently held a community meeting to tell residents about the "good points of the park," like the money it is expected to bring in, because he says locals have already heard "plenty of the bad points."
Outside the meeting, resident Helen Campbell says it's a shame the park project has become so divisive in a mostly Christian community. She says she would be happy to take her kids to the park, and that she doesn't believe people who say the developer is trying to pull a fast one.
"We are not a small community anymore," Campbell says. "We're growing very quickly and I think that this is a wonderful opportunity."
Some seem to be moving toward Campbell's way of thinking: More than 100 people attended the theme park's job fair this month.
Bible Theme Park Faces Opposition in Tennessee
by Audie Cornish
Day to Day, May 15, 2008 · A developer wants to build what would be the country's largest Bible-based theme park in Tennessee, depicting scenes such as the parting of the Red Sea. But the plan has created a deep divide among locals.
Some welcome the $200 million, 280-acre Bible Park USA project as a way to bring in much-needed revenue to Rutherford County, while others are concerned about making money off the Bible.
The county's board of commissioners is gearing up to vote this week on whether to approve the theme park.
Not 'Six Flags over Jesus'
The project's developer Armon Bar-Tur, co-founder of New York-based SafeHarbor Holding, says he knows what comes to mind when people hear "Bible Park USA."
"Commercializing and tacky and it being a Six Flags [theme park] over Jesus," he says.
But that's not what he's going for. Unlike smaller religious attractions, Bar-Tur says, the park would focus on the historical aspects of the Bible — not on ministry.
"There's a lot of people who would like to go on a trip to the Holy Lands," he says, "but only a small percentage do, and that's because of time, money and fear," he says. "The idea is that people could come to the park and see a lot of similar ideas and recreations that you would see."
Rather than roller coasters, think actors working in a Galilean village. Instead of a waterslide, imagine an indoor exhibit on the parting of the Red Sea with water shooting into the air and the booming voice of Moses raining down.
Bar-Tur says the park would be a boon for Rutherford County, generating a projected $125 million in tax revenue over the next 25 years.
Worries About Traffic, Noise
Not everyone is convinced that the theme park would be a godsend.
"This man showed up, gave us this great idea that we never thought of and nobody ever had a need for — and all of a sudden in a little bit of a down year where we're looking for a little bit of a revenue, everyone sees it as a panacea," says resident Scott Yaeger, standing across from the rolling green fields slated for development with a handful of folks who oppose the park.
Detractors are worried about traffic and noise and water use — the typical "not-in-my-backyard" kind of stuff. And they don't believe Bible Park USA would pull in the 1.5 million people annually that the developer says it will.
"If the people in the so-called Bible Belt don't want to visit the park or think they might visit once and never return, what's going to bring the people in from outside that realm of the Bible Belt to make it an even bigger draw?" says Brandon Whitt who farms part of the land the park would occupy.
Whitt also says the idea of a nondenominational, nonreligious attraction doesn't sit well with him. He says he's got a problem with people making money off the Bible.
Filling the County's Coffers
Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess disagrees with this argument, noting that he's more concerned about finding revenues for the county's coffers.
"Do I want to go down to all the Christian book stores and say, 'You don't have a right to sell your products?'" Burgess says. "It's the same kind of approach, and I just really don't think we need to go there."
The park would be financed in part by county-backed bonds and deferred taxes in return for future revenues generated by the park. And Burgess and others say it's money that the county — which used to be rural but where the fastest-growing crops are now housing developments — badly needs.
That's also why longtime residents like Donald McDonald support the development. McDonald recently held a community meeting to tell residents about the "good points of the park," like the money it is expected to bring in, because he says locals have already heard "plenty of the bad points."
Outside the meeting, resident Helen Campbell says it's a shame the park project has become so divisive in a mostly Christian community. She says she would be happy to take her kids to the park, and that she doesn't believe people who say the developer is trying to pull a fast one.
"We are not a small community anymore," Campbell says. "We're growing very quickly and I think that this is a wonderful opportunity."
Some seem to be moving toward Campbell's way of thinking: More than 100 people attended the theme park's job fair this month.
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Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008 | PermalinkComments 1 - 50 of 79 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #180716 by Paine on May 15, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Donald McDonald? You've got to be kidding, right?With names like that they deserve this ludicrous park.
Other Comments by Paine
3. Comment #180718 by Diacanu on May 15, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Ugh, 200 fucking million. The money they have at their disposal to throw away on this silly shit is nauseating.
Although, thinking of the money raked in by imaginary animated mice isn't too much better for my gullet either.
Other Comments by Diacanu
4. Comment #180719 by Nails on May 15, 2008 at 3:45 pm
But that's not what he's going for. Unlike smaller religious attractions, Bar-Tur says, the park would focus on the historical aspects of the Bible â€" not on ministry.
So it's all hot air then, with no substance whatsoever.
Loser.
Surley the Christian thing to do would be to donate $200m to help those dying of AIDS/malaria/stavation etc in the world.
But that wouldn't make him any money back, would it?
Other Comments by Nails
5. Comment #180727 by AmericanGodless on May 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm
"a nondenominational, nonreligious attraction" where you are to "imagine an indoor exhibit on the parting of the Red Sea with water shooting into the air and the booming voice of Moses raining down."Sorry, my imagination just can't resolve that contradiction.
What a sad waste of farmland.
Other Comments by AmericanGodless
6. Comment #180731 by mmurray on May 15, 2008 at 4:28 pm
So they are concentrating on the historical aspects like parting the Red Sea. Right.Michael
Other Comments by mmurray
7. Comment #180734 by Count von Count on May 15, 2008 at 4:34 pm
...others are concerned about making money off the Bible.
Isn't the whole point of the Bible to make money off people?
Other Comments by Count von Count
8. Comment #180742 by Damien White on May 15, 2008 at 4:41 pm
"Instead of a waterslide, imagine an indoor exhibit on the parting of the Red Sea with water shooting into the air and the booming voice of Moses raining down."If you can recreate a miracle every hour for the benefit of an audience, doesn't that shed some doubt on the impossibility of it being done in the first place?
Other Comments by Damien White
9. Comment #180743 by xrod on May 15, 2008 at 4:43 pm
$200 million and no roller coasters? Hell, if there were some good rides, I'd go enjoy the thrills and chills while making fun of the fundies in costumes.What are they counting on? "Oh pleeeease Dad, can we go see the actors working in a Galilean village?" Yeah right.
Maybe they'll make a haunted house out of Jesus' tomb or have a teacups ride with chalice cars.
Other Comments by xrod
10. Comment #180744 by MaxD on May 15, 2008 at 4:48 pm
What about Revelation Horror House!
Or abortionist hell!
Those would be super rides. Maybe instead of whack-the-mole they would have hit-the-male-children-and-all-the-non-virgin-women!
That would keep them coming back for more.
Other Comments by MaxD
11. Comment #180745 by SomeDanGuy on May 15, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Well isn't this telling:There's a lot of people who would like to go on a trip to the Holy Lands," he says, "but only a small percentage do, and that's because of time, money and fear
Strange how the places his loving, benevolent god holds most sacred are also the most dangerous.
Other Comments by SomeDanGuy
12. Comment #180749 by Diacanu on May 15, 2008 at 4:59 pm
If christian rock has taught us anything, is that when you mix the Bible with anything, it suuuuuucks!!Like saccharine, or licorice root.
Oh wait, Judeo-christian mythology makes for the occasional good horror movie.
But only if secular jews write 'em.
Other Comments by Diacanu
13. Comment #180751 by dlitt on May 15, 2008 at 5:10 pm
How about bungee jumping while crucified?
Or, prizes for the most faithful self-flagellator?
Might make it worth the ticket.
Other Comments by dlitt
14. Comment #180754 by LeeC on May 15, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Excellent... I want one in Melbourne - so long as no tax payer's money is used at any point.
It would be a great place to take the kids... and think of the food they could provide "Daddy, daddy - can I have a Noah bacon burger pleeeeaaassee"
Lee
Other Comments by LeeC
15. Comment #180761 by eofor on May 15, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Think of the merchandising! Pillars of salt, scale models of Noah's Ark, fragments of the true cross, foreskins of the smited, "I went to Bible Park and all I got was this shitty T-shirt". Hell, let's go the whole hog and have a Quran theme park: Islamaland and Mickey-Mujahiadeen ("Daddy daddy- can I have a Abraham-burger pleeeaaassee"). Mmmmm, taste that fat, holy, cash cow.Other Comments by eofor
17. Comment #180764 by LiseYates on May 15, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I never wanted to go to church as a child so what makes them think that kids are going to be excited about chruch service on a roller coaster. Sounds like one more reason to vomit, if you ask me. Other Comments by LiseYates
18. Comment #180772 by amanda marie on May 15, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Fuckin-god-damnit, was it too much to hope that the "opposition" mentioned in the headline would be from my fellow Tennesseans who may be smart enough to find the idea of a Bible Park repellant?Who am I kidding?
Other Comments by amanda marie
19. Comment #180775 by cornbread_r2 on May 15, 2008 at 6:50 pm
'There's a lot of people who would like to go on a trip to the Holy Lands,' he [Bar-Tur] says, 'but only a small percentage do, and that's because of time, money and fear,' he says. 'The idea is that people could come to the park and see a lot of similar ideas and recreations that you would see.'
From what I gather from my sad pre-occupation with religious television programming in the U.S., the tour business is a very important part of the revenue stream. Almost all of the major televangelists offer all-inclusive tours of the Holy Land, many of them several times a year. While they may not make tons off the tour itself, I'd guess the real money is made in a continuing relationship with the purchaser.
By repeatedly emphasizing in their typical advertisement just how safe a Middle-Eastern tour can be, the televangelists inadvertently call into mind just how much this is a concern for the typical American traveler. This new theme park seems to be an attempt to exploit that fear and the growing number of "boomer" tourists by reconstructing the Holy Land closer to home.
Other Comments by cornbread_r2
20. Comment #180777 by Grantaire of JC on May 15, 2008 at 7:06 pm
A roller coaster would be a great thing! A coaster named The Road To Perdition, or The Seven Deadly Sins, Or The Fall (From Grace). They could eat at Cana ( where the wine flows freely), sleep at "The Manger (where you can sleep like a baby) and become a new person by going to The Resurrection Spa. But in the end, it's mindless entertainment. Kids remember Space Mountain for the ride not the symbolism. Let them have their fun because it only creates an impossible sensation to duplicate in real life and it will make people more unhappy as the "word" proves to be less rewarding than the ride.Other Comments by Grantaire of JC
21. Comment #180788 by mordacious1 on May 15, 2008 at 7:53 pm
The problem is, they make you drag a wooden cross everywhere you go. It's bad enough waiting in line without that thing on your back.At the arcade they have: Stone the Whore. Three stones for a dollar. They also have: Thump the atheist with a bible game (based on whack a mole). Plus for the thirsty ones: The Jim Jones Purple Kool-aid Challenge (how much can you guzzle before you die a horrible death).
The roller coaster is guaranteed to scare the gayness right out of you.
Oh, I could go on, but you guys get the idea.
Other Comments by mordacious1
22. Comment #180789 by dragonfirematrix on May 15, 2008 at 7:57 pm
THE SETUP
The first paragraph says:
"A developer wants to build what would be the country's largest Bible-based theme park in Tennessee, depicting scenes such as the parting of the Red Sea."
Later, the developer says:
"Bar-Tur says, the park would focus on the historical aspects of the Bible �quot; not on ministry."
THE CHALLENGE
Since when did the parting of the Red Sea become a factual historical record?
Did someone prove this actually happened? Who proved it? Can we see a repeat? What are the procedures for parting a sea?
Next thing you know: the park will have a section depicting a deity curing amputees. Sounds like ministry to me.
Will the park illustrate beheadings, burnings at the stack, female mutilation, witch-hunts, gay bashing, religious wars, lies, and the oppression of women? Will the park document how religion attacks freedom, civil rights, civil liberties, human rights, etc? Please correct me if I am wrong, but are not these part of true religious history. How is the park going to relate these horrors to family values?
POSITIVES FOR THE PARK
Now, on the positive side of this debate, if the park has a human size pillar of salt (a big salt block), the deer in the area might well visit the park and be very happy.
Err… uh… well… uh… uh… I cannot think of any more positives.
SUMMARY
This park seems a bit like another attempt at sleazy fantasy propaganda from the religious…another place where unsuspecting children can be brainwashed.
I say a park with wild rides, neat stores, great restaurants, babes in tight shorts, impossible to win games, fancy water fountains, and lots of beer would be much more entertaining.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE:
If this bible park manages to actually part a real sea without the help of science, and devices (like huge mobile dams, gigantic sucking pumps, etc.), let me know.
MEANWHILE BACK AT THE JESUS PARK...
...in the water park area, children are asking their parents:
Mommy, can I ride the dunking stool?
Daddy, where is the water board?
HISTORICAL THEATRE AT THE JESUS PARK
Now playing: "Clergy and the Alter Boy(s)"
Tomorrow: "The Teddy Bear Cronicles"
Next Week: "The Preacher's Boyfriend"
Other Comments by dragonfirematrix
23. Comment #180792 by DingoDave on May 15, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Some suggestions for the park's designers from commentors on PZ Myer's blog pharyngula.
You can find them here. LOL :-)
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/05/unclear_on_the_concept.php#comments
-I like the idea of larger-than-life biblical characters wandering around and yucking it up for kids, but we'll need some really good characters. The four horsemen of the apocalypse? Goliath? Creepy ol' man Methuselah?
-I want to go see the crucifixion ride! Then right after that - the witch burning show (they use REAL witches!!).
-There's a ride called "Rapture", it's kind of like a slingshot.
-Got to have a casino and a wedding chapel.
-Of course they'll have the Hell ride - with lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth.
-They have a version of whack-a-mole called smite-the-Amalekite.
-I want to ride through the Tunnel of Sin.
-One of those boards with a character's body painted on but with a hole cut where the face would be and you stand there with your own face stuck in the hole for a photo? I'm picturing Jesus on the cross only it's MY face. That would be awesome!
And instead of a Tunnel of Love, you can take a nice boat ride on a river of fire!
- and at night, after the kiddies are asleep in the authentic biblical motel, out in back of the authentic biblical steakhouse and cocktail lounge: the Sodom and Gomorrah Show and Revue!!!!!!
-Mmm, 'exotic dancers'. Salome's dance of the seven veils... yummy. Severed heads served up on platters....
-Oh, I'm sure the Big Bucket O' Snakes will be a big seller at the self-serve cafeteria, where "The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves!"
-or the Hellfire and Brimstone Barbecue Pit
-bloody mary for Sunday Brunch?!
-Why not a Speaking in Tongues Karaoke Bar?
-At all the eateries, the salt shakers should be in the shape of Lot's wife.
-a field for Biblical battle reenactments (Jericho, Gideon vs. the Midianites, etc) complete with loudspeakers to emit the sounds of screaming babies and wailing mothers, as they can't use real babies...that's our department :)
-...and at random points a couple of she-bears leap out of the bushes and eat your children! Up to 42 a day!
-I want a petting zoo/science exhibit where kids can use hands-on biblical science to breed striped animals.
-I suggested that they have a reenactment of Numbers 31, especially the return of the Israelites to Moses with their Midianite captives.
-Navigate an obstacle course of brats insulting you. If you make it through, when you kneel to pray to the Lord after clearing the final course, you engage a switch that has a bear comes out and eat your tormentors.
-The David slingshot game--fell the giant, get 200 foreskins to buy your first wife (Okay, so it's combining two different David sagas--so what?).
-I can't believe nobody has gone into the Passover saga! Paint as many doors as you can with blood in X number of seconds, get a one of those weird Passover toys PZ linked to a while back.
-And waterslides. It's got to have waterslides - call it The River Styx.
-The all you can eat salad bar (every fundie loves all you can eat anything) needs to be the Garden of Eden.
Other Comments by DingoDave
24. Comment #180801 by DingoDave on May 15, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Here are a couple more suggestions from the same Pharyngula thread.
-I've always thought a theme park ride inspired by Dante's Inferno would be cool...the line could be in a forest environment, then you get into a theme park car next to a projection of Virgil (similar to the atheistic Disneyland Haunted House ride) and you go in a spiraling downward fashion through all the different circles of hell. Part roller-coaster, part edutainment, part gratuitous excess...it could be great!
-larger-than-life "biblical" mascots roaming the park, posing for photos. I WANT LOT! . . . WITH OOOZZING SORES!
Etha Williams has suggested that we send our ideas to their website, at:
http://www.bibleparkusa.com/comment.html
Other Comments by DingoDave
25. Comment #180810 by TalentedChimp on May 15, 2008 at 9:11 pm
"The park would be financed in part by county-backed bonds and deferred taxes in return for future revenues generated by the park."Who was it who kicked the money-lenders out of the temple?
Other Comments by TalentedChimp
26. Comment #180812 by Caudimordax on May 15, 2008 at 9:23 pm
DingoDave-
Oh my oh my oh my
That was just luscious - I'm surprised that the park designers (who are lacking in nothing save intelligence and a sense of irony) have not contacted you.
Oh, actually nevermind. Expect to see your ideas implemented wholesale without accreditation. (After all, it's IN the Bible!)
EDIT - just noticed you were reposting from Pharyngula - but thank you so much.
Other Comments by Caudimordax
27. Comment #180813 by kram50 on May 15, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I know where they can get an upside-down church!!Other Comments by kram50
28. Comment #180814 by b0ltzm0n on May 15, 2008 at 9:51 pm
And, just for shits and giggles, once a day they flood the entire fucking park and drown every fucking person there as a way of depicting the great flood.
Oh what fun! I would go and watch... from a safe distance!
Other Comments by b0ltzm0n
29. Comment #180817 by PJG on May 15, 2008 at 10:08 pm
HAHA, let them have a little fun. I'm not sure how kids are going to react when instead of mickey mouse they see St. Paul or David.
Would they let little kids hurl stones with slingshots and some steel giant Goliath?
You know as a fantasy world this appeals to me, even as an athiest. Remember kids, none of it is real.
I would agree with this... except that this is where the problem lies. The distinction between reality and fantasy is getting more and more blurred for kids (and uneducated adults).
Science/pseudoscience
Reality/fantasy
Truth/lies (damn lies and statistics)
No wonder people are so terrified about uncertainty that they want to base their lives on "unchanging" dogma.
Don't forget too... many of the kids taken to this park will be home-schooled. For all anyone knows, they are going to be told they are "going to where Jesus lived"!
Sad... very, very sad.
Other Comments by PJG
30. Comment #180820 by MaxD on May 15, 2008 at 10:26 pm
I tell you I think in the freshman year of every highschool in the US (and many other places besides) they ought to have a critical thinking course, and at least one of the texts they have to read ought to be Carl Sagan's The Demon Haunted World.
I think that might be a good start toward turning this shitty mess around.
Other Comments by MaxD
31. Comment #180821 by DingoDave on May 15, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Here's another idea for a roaming Bible character/mascot .
How about a guy (or 2) in a donkey suit wandering around chatting to the punters, pretending to be Baalim's ass?
Or how about a real donkey wandering about with a cassette player strapped to it's head blasting out bible verses?
Other Comments by DingoDave
32. Comment #180825 by Raiko on May 15, 2008 at 10:53 pm
While an FSM park would be much more fun, I'm for the "teach all and let the kids decide" version of the bible park - don't forget all the sweet stories in the bible about murder and sacrifices. ♥ We want the kids to see ALL of the story, don't we? Other Comments by Raiko
33. Comment #180826 by MaxD on May 15, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I think a fun activies stop would be,
"Make your own Crown of thorns! Come for the day, but try to make the scars last a life time! After all the emotional ones our religion will last a life time too!"
Or how about this one....edutainment at its finest. See who is right, Biblical writers or Da Vinci. Nail actual cadavers to crosses! You pick the spot and solve Christianity's most boring riddle!
Other Comments by MaxD
34. Comment #180829 by DingoDave on May 15, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Another idea for a roaming mascot.
How about a guy wandering around naked and barefoot, pretending to be the prophet Isaiah? (Isaiah 20:2-4)
Other Comments by DingoDave
35. Comment #180833 by shonny on May 15, 2008 at 11:24 pm
||But that's not what he's going for. Unlike smaller religious attractions, Bar-Tur says, the park would focus on the historical aspects of the Bible â€" not on ministry. ||Historical aspects of the bible???
$2 should suffice for building it!
Other Comments by shonny
36. Comment #180834 by DingoDave on May 15, 2008 at 11:25 pm
How about a Sodom and Gomorrah obstacle course where they rain down fire and brimstone on you.
If you make it to the end, you get to watch some old guy dressed up as Lot, having sex with two girls who are young enough to be his daughters.
(For adults only. Proof of age may be required.)
8-O
Other Comments by DingoDave
37. Comment #180837 by Raiko on May 15, 2008 at 11:51 pm
My girlfriend just suggested another theme park ride: "How about... pin the nails on the Jesus?" Other Comments by Raiko
38. Comment #180838 by gcujimmy on May 16, 2008 at 12:17 am
They could call it Praiseland like Ned Flanders in The Simpsons. Other Comments by gcujimmy
39. Comment #180874 by notsobad on May 16, 2008 at 2:22 am
"Making money off the Bible" started like 1500 years ago. Other Comments by notsobad
40. Comment #180879 by alfonso on May 16, 2008 at 2:35 am
These people think the Flanders family (from the Simpsons, that is) is a role model, ah the irony.So somebody wants to do something big and religious and somehow there is dissent? Amazing, don't tell me they don't agree in their understanding of god!!!
This made my day :P
Other Comments by alfonso
41. Comment #180887 by polishrequiem on May 16, 2008 at 3:05 am
If the local government is giving money to this operation, I see a separation of church and state lawsuit in their future. Why couldn't a theme park with a Christian focus say that it's non-profit and then become tax exempt?Other Comments by polishrequiem
42. Comment #180900 by rod-the-farmer on May 16, 2008 at 3:42 am
One can imagine a booth showing 72 virgins. (Snarky voice in the background asking where would they find them in Tennessee ?) Sorry, that is from a different magical book. It is so hard to keep them all straight. Other Comments by rod-the-farmer
43. Comment #180908 by rotaTOR on May 16, 2008 at 4:16 am
a person could make a mint here.
1. foam Crown-of-Thorns--with optional visor for sunny days.*
2. an aquarium with a trained blue whale to re-renact the Jonah story.
3. at the Garden of Eatin',you could get:
Lamb-Of-God-Lamb-Ka-Bobs*
a carbonated drink called "Jesus Juice" or maybe "Juisus".it would be blood red of course.*
funnel cakes and pretzels that are shaped like an icthus.*
chocolate covered locusts.*
*these would be made in China
Other Comments by rotaTOR
44. Comment #180920 by Partisan on May 16, 2008 at 5:33 am
Ha, postmodernism gone wild - I think it's found its home in the USA. Other Comments by Partisan
45. Comment #180963 by asupcb on May 16, 2008 at 7:59 am
So is this going to be like Parc Asterix in Paris? I got to sit on Thor's throne there it was pretty cool. Think of all the fun Bible themed rides you could have with this thing. What if atheists wanted to build a mythology theme park and used gods from all the mythologies including Jesus and Yahweh themed rides? The parting of the red sea could be a water ride. You could have a creation myths museum/ride. You could have a messianic end-times religion ride. Good times could be had by all.Other Comments by asupcb
46. Comment #180965 by Sally Luxmoore on May 16, 2008 at 8:01 am
Why does this make me think of that brilliant movie, "Westworld"?Imagine Jebus robots with red eyes hunting people down. . .
Other Comments by Sally Luxmoore
47. Comment #180970 by GregPhillips on May 16, 2008 at 8:09 am
Hmmm how about a Roman period themepark where we get to reenact lobbing a load of Xtian slaves to the lions or hang them around town dipped in burning tar as street lights. 'Crucifixion? 9 pence please...'
Having been stranded in Lourdes myself (look the train went in and didnt leave again until monday ok?) and climbed the Stations of the Cross thingy and viewed Sunday mass with my mouth open at the gross desparation and stupidity being exhibited around me, this thing sound like an appalling idea.
Which is why its so perfect - they usually happen in the US of A.
Anyone want to by a bridge too? One careful owner.... perfect for a desert setting...
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48. Comment #180973 by Tezcatlipoca on May 16, 2008 at 8:17 am
I've got one...
They'll have a booth/studio where you can record yourself speaking in tongues. Much like the booths at Cedar Point where you can record yourself singing, karaoke style, for a small fee.
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49. Comment #180980 by chuckbert on May 16, 2008 at 8:30 am
"Ha, postmodernism gone wild."Err. I think you'll find that's pre-modernism.
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50. Comment #181010 by foolish sea otter on May 16, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hi all. Long time lurker, first time poster. FYI they did this before. Anyone remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's Heritage USA?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_USA
I went with my childhood church. Oh, the memories I try to supress just keep coming back.
(I have no idea how to correctly post links or block quotes or anything ....yet.)
Have a great weekend!
EDIT: And yes, to agree with most other posters, It was kinda like you are suggesting. People in costumes, jumping out from behind trees yelling "you are healed!" visitors would leave one on the 'rides' and drop to the ground in prayer. Really scary now that I think back.
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1. Comment #180712 by Tetsujin on May 15, 2008 at 3:32 pm
HAHA, let them have a little fun. I'm not sure how kids are going to react when instead of mickey mouse they see St. Paul or David.Would they let little kids hurl stones with slingshots and some steel giant Goliath?
You know as a fantasy world this appeals to me, even as an athiest. Remember kids, none of it is real.
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