Biblical parks may get tax deal

[teach1st]

Biblical parks may get tax deal
St. Petersburg Times, 4/6

TALLAHASSEE - A biblical theme park in Orlando where guests pay $30 admission to munch on "Goliath" burgers and explore reproductions of 2000-year-old tombs and temples could get a property tax exemption written into state law.

A Senate committee easily passed a bill that would grant theme parks "used to exhibit, illustrate, and interpret biblical manuscripts ... " an exemption from local property taxes, like churches, even though the parks charge money.

The legislation is designed to resolve a tax dispute between Holy Land Experience and the Orange County property appraiser, but legislative staffers say the exemption could encourage the development of other parks to take advantage of the tax break.

The 15-acre Orlando park recently won its challenge against Orange County, which has appealed the case. The nonprofit, which would owe about $300,000 in property taxes each year, argued that the park helps finance its Christian ministry.

More

[xchrom]

1. but of course.

must keep fundies happy.

even with big ol ugly, land consuming theme parks.

[TaleWgnDg]

2. Hhhmmmmm, Creationism . . . golly, I wonder

if I opened a Wicca Theme Park. Could I get tax exemption too? If not, could I sue u/ FL's equal protection clause? Golllleeeee.

Damn. Isn't Florida grand?

[ClintonTyree]

5. The Flying Spaghetti Monster needs a theme park too!

Complete with the "Noodly Appendage Roller Coaster", "Pirate Land" and "Midgit Mountain". We could make a fortune! Tax exempt! (all for spreading the word of the FSM in the world's greatest Pirate Ship, or course).

I'm going to get right on this. People MUST know the truth! Ramen, brothers and sisters.

[Jersey Ginny]

48. I'd visit your Wicca theme park.

Let's see, we could have a Satan worshippers theme park, or maybe a theme park for the worshippers of the Hale Bob Comet, if any are left. There are many possibilities here. What is a theme park anyway? I have a slip N slide in my backyard in the summer. Maybe I can not pay property taxes and charge admission. Hmmm

[tocqueville]

3. separation of Church and State ???? nt

[Solly Mack]

4. what bullshit

it's a theme park...it's not a church...it's not a school...it's a fucking theme park...that charges an admission price...that sells food and drinks and kewpie dolls on a cross.

sheesh

[ClintonTyree]

7. Disgusting, isn't it?

Only in Floriduh! Non-profit organization, my ass. They take the profits to expand their criminal empire to reap MORE profits! Complete and utter bullshit and the gullible citizens of Floriduh eat it up with a spoon. :eyes: I'm SOOO glad I got the hell out of that state!

[Solly Mack]

11. Perhaps we should start a FSM theme park

Pirates, the "holy" dish at the restaurants (spaghetti - partake of the flesh)...and the whole nine yards...and see if we can get a tax exempt status.

The main attraction will be the noodly appendage ride - like the momo the monster ride...a spider looking contraption with meatball buckets to twirl around in...

[saigon68]

8. I wonder if it sells shirts like this?

THE MALL OF CHRIST

http://www.mallofchrist.com/

[Solly Mack]

10. See? Now you're making me curious and I'll have to visit

the damn place just to know for sure. lol

[saigon68]

19. Be careful to guard your wallet

They will try to EMPTY it.

[Synnical]

33. Been there, see post 31

And, no they don't. :-) However, they do sell "Left Behind" books and "exact replicas" of this and that . . . And HLE tee-shirts and Polo shirts. Really ugly women's clothing, as well. Also crucifixes and Stars of David, displayed next to each other.

It's creepy, I tell you.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[Solly Mack]

37. Thanks! Saved me the trip. Much appreciated!!!!

Wow. (on what they do sell)

[acmejack]

6. A good lawyer ought take this to court

ACLU time? They have their plate awfully full lately...

[Vinca]

9. The Wiccans need a Florida theme park. nt

[darkmaestro019]

12. I was just wondering if I could get a break on a Satanic theme park. nt

[noonwitch]

22. The Wiccans should build in Salem, MA

It's the appropriate place.

[LaBanty]

13. Oh, great, another McMinistry

What a freakin' scam. If you consider all the tax breaks given to corrupt corporations, religion has to be at the top of the list.

[LynnTheDem]

14. Another win for the american talibornagains!

Maybe someday a Senate committee will easily pass a bill to allow women to be stoned to death for adultery.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

15. This is just WRONG!!!

:grr:

[Inland]

16. Now we know what they did with Goliath after David slew him. Eww.

With apologies to Gary Larson and his comment on what NY did with King Kong.

[NYC]

25. What?

Don't tell me we ate him?

[Inland]

46. Goliath Burgers--now with More Goliath! nt

[ret5hd]

17. How long till Disneyworld/land become church affiliated?

Not too long is my bet.

[AllegroRondo]

18. My first thought too - United Church of Disney

[Ignis]

23. Exactly! They already have their own city.

Why not take the next logical step and find tax-free Jeebus?

[TommyO]

20. Sounds like a great idea

I would make my pilgrimage to Space Mountain, and it would be tax deductible!

[northzax]

21. they'd be idiots not to, right?

dress a couple of staffers up in robes and fake beards, save millions of dollars a year!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

24. I'm so tired of this shit.

Churches should be taxed like any other business.
:grr:

[Blaze Diem]

26. agreed..

If Six Flags sets a statue of Jesus in its parking lot..does it now qualify?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. How about if we all wear crucifixes around our necks?

Or vow that our lives are devoted to service of our various gods? Can we get tax-exempt status?

[NYC]

27. My income helps finance my survival.

I don't get a tax break.

...the park helps finance its Christian ministry...

It's enough that churches get tax breaks. There's no reason for an amusement park to get a tax break.

[mitchum]

28. Onward, Chri$tian Grifter$

[Synnical]

29. I've been there - wrote an article on it

Holy Land Experience. <grumble> This is BS. Let me dig out my research so everyone understands the bigger picture. The HLE is a theme park on a larger piece of land, most of the land had been granted tax exempt status, but the park itself had been deemed by the Orange County tax appraiser as for-profit. The Tax Appraiser has apparently lost the appeals, and the HLE has been granted tax-exempt status. So, why the need for the state to get involved??

GRRRRR

(That place is a freak show BTW).

:evilfrown: :mad:

[Synnical]

31. Pic #1

No offense intended to my Christian friends, but the HLE promotes the "Left Behind" agenda of Christian evangelicals. They promote the books in their many stores on site.

"Calvary Garden Tomb"

From my article, written for American Atheists Magazine in 2002:

At "Calvary's Garden Tomb" we witnessed the same dreadful attempt at ancient cave reproduction. There is a small entryway into this "tomb" that is apparently supposed to be Christ's burial place. A small brown plaque with red ink on the wall proclaims, "He is not here. For he is risen." There's even an inane stone-looking bed and pillow, complete with a white sheet lying on top.

[Synnical]

32. Behold the Lamb - Pic #2

We had tried to remain incognito and polite all day. We had no idea what "Behold the Lamb" was going to portray, only that it was a live performance of some kind. It was presented at 2:45PM in blazing Florida heat at Calvary's Garden Tomb . . . . Not really interested in the singing, I stepped back from the crowd surrounding the Garden Tomb to take a photograph of the audience, and was very much aware that surrounding security was watching me closely. I wasn't sure why until the female who had been singing in front of the Tomb was now directly in front of me and I realized I was in the middle of the production. I took two steps back, and while most of the crowd was still looking at the tomb singers, I saw another vision entirely.

That of a Christ figure, in badly applied wound make-up, being "whipped" and prodded in the street by over-acting Roman soldiers in gaudy uniforms with ridiculous red capes and plumes spouting from their heads.

[Solly Mack]

38. Oh damn

Damn. Just damn.

wow

golly

[Synnical]

34. Anybody want any more details?

If not, I'll stop scanning my pics and transcribing my article.

:)

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[XemaSab]

36. .

[Synnical]

45. Another Pic

We approached the entrance, the so-called "Jerusalem City Gate" and a nice lady behind a turnstile greeted us with a cheerful "Shalom!" I found this to be quite odd - Christians utilizing the Jewish word for "Peace", and was already uncomfortable.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[Solly Mack]

39. I would like to see more

if you don't mind sharing

It's the train wreck thingie...I can't help myself.

[Synnical]

40. More Weirdness, Just for You :-)

At that moment, J turned around just as she drank from her bottled water, and upon witnessing the same thing as I, was unable to keep from spewing the water out all over my back as she burst out laughing . . . I then, of course, lost all pretense of deference and began chuckling quite loudly as well . . . J struggled . . . but it was obvious she was giggling . . . A security guard standing next to me puffed himself up as the Roman soldiers shouted and the moaning Christ figure dramatically shuffled past. He turned to me, pulled up his trousers at his belt and asked angrily, "Pretty funny, huh?" That just made me laugh again and I replied, still quite amused, "Well, Yeah!"

. . .

Now realizing that they were going to re-enact the Crucifixion scene, we watched with morbid and horrified fascination.

They proceeded to "nail" the Christ figure to a cross and raise him over the Tomb. A long, brutal death scene with more singing ensued until the ridiculous looking Roman soldiers took him off the cross.

. . . the re-enactment was revolting and nauseating. Yet, the crowd was spellbound. They didn't seem to be exactly enjoying the performance, but my impression was they felt it was somehow awe-inspiring . . . I can't imagine it was psychologically healthy for some of the young children present to view such barbaric theatrics . . . J and I, assuming the rest of the performance would be the resurrection episode, did not linger - we'd had enough melodrama and freaky religious entertainment.

The HLE Park as seen from the Parking Lot, June 2002 - BTW - the entire "ministry" may be 15 acres, but the park itself is tiny - you can walk from one end to the other in a few minutes. All the employees sign a statement affirming they are Christians.

There is a "Behavioral Policy Statement included with the Schedule of Events when you enter the park. This includes a Dress Code - No halter tops, short shorts, or bathing suits; they "reserve the right to ask anyone to leave who is, in our judgment, wearing inappropriate or immodest attire"; a Worship Code - reserving the right to remove anyone deemed to be "causing a disturbance"; a Behavior Code - no drunkenness, lewd or lascivious conduct; and Miscellaneous Codes - don't bring any food or drink, buy theirs, no smoking, no pets.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

Edit for typo

[Solly Mack]

49. Thank you! :)

I don't know what to say about that.
Damn

[depakid]

30. More special rights for fundies

You gotta hand it to Florida- they do bend over backwards to make certain that their favored groups don't have to abide by the law.

[brentspeak]

41. Will tourists be able to get their pictures taken with Jesus?

Or ride a waterslide that parts like the Red Sea?

This is cheap, tacky, and insulting.

[Synnical]

43. Oh, another group tried to get the waterslide thing going

Didn't happen . . .

http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/news/local/06ames.shtml

April 6, 2002
Messiahville USA idea born again

<snippage>

Plans for the Bible theme park include a water slide that will lead children into the belly of a whale, a merry-go-round designed as a chariot and a miniature golf course that takes players from Jerusalem to Jericho.

Good call, though.
}(

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[CoffeeCat]

42. I can't wait...

...to ride on the Jesus Coaster!

[Synnical]

44. The Catholics also want their own theme park

http://www.marianland.com/marianland.html



A Catholic Theme Park

Plans are being made to construct a Catholic theme park in the United States
where families can share faith and tour sites representing private and public revelation.
MARIANLAND will have replicas of Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, Medjugorje,
Knock, the Holy Land, the Vatican, and other significant holy places.

MARIANLAND features include:

Reenactment of the life of Christ, the saints, and faith stories from the Old and New Testament.

Conference halls spacious enough to hold major Catholic / Marian / Pro-Life Conferences.
The park's hotels will accommodate visitors.

State-of-the-art rail systems to transport visitors to each area of the park.

Movie theaters to view documentaries regarding the miracles, the saints, family values and topics of
debate in modern society and showing the best Marian movies ever made like
"The Passion of the Christ" of Mel Gibson in 3D format.

Bookstores with the finest Catholic / Marian / Pro-Life literature and videos, as well as important Christian literature.

The plan is to raise a sufficient amount of money to hire a premier architectural firm
with experience in design and construction of religious retreat/convention centers.
Land will be purchased, and MARIANLAND will be constructed in a modular fashion.
Please consider supporting this bold endeavor by faithfully praying for it to become a reality.
Thank you for your help.
God Bless you!



Most frequently asked questions on Catholic Theme Park Marianland:

QUESTION: How can I help?

ANSWER: You can help by promoting our Catholic Videos, Books and Music Ministry
by telling friends about our website marianland.com

[Wise Doubter]

47. "argued that the park helps finance its Christian ministry."

They do need help, but not in a monetary sense. :nopity:


I have NEVER seen a minster/pastor/preacher/priest driving a 1973 Pinto ( Not even in 1973 !)

How many MILLION people, that can, give 10% of their income? In some cases more.

The greatest story ever $old !

:spank:

[NVMojo]

50. disgusting ...the separation between church and state is a mere memory