christian theme park deemed tax exempt

[Nevada]

okay church where you worship I have no probs with...but entertainment theme park?

Christian theme park wins lawsuit over tax-exempt status

Associated Press


ORLANDO, Fla. - A circuit court judge ruled in favor of a Christian theme park seeking nonprofit exemptions from property taxes.

The Holy Land Experience, developed by a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian ministry called Zion's hope, had been granted only limited exemptions, those given for administrative and education facilities. The Orange County Property Appraiser's office denied the group's broad request in 2001, arguing the park was a tourist attraction, not a church.

In a ruling issued July 5 that Zion's Hope attorneys didn't receive until Monday, Judge Cynthia MacKinnon ruled all of the park was off-limits to taxation - not just the onsite administrative and education facilities already granted exemption.

"The undisputed evidence before the court is that (Zion's Hope) is using the property to spread what it considers to be God's word to many people at one time. This is in contrast to Disney World's and Anheuser-Busch's use of their properties, Epcot and Sea World, respectively, which is indisputably to make money for the companies."

She also ruled the park's roughly $35 admission cost didn't preclude it being a nonprofit because museums charge admission and at least one other church has for holiday events.

MacKinnon also ruled that Orange County violated Zion's Hope's due process by failing to explain why it denied the exemptions. Mathew Staver, president of the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel, which represents Zion's Hope, said that could encourage other plaintiffs denied exemptions to seek future legal recourse.

Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan said his office may appeal the exemption ruling.

"I think Holy Land itself is religious, but I'm not convinced that it serves a religious purpose like a church," he said. "I guess we're going to have to find out the definition of a church. When you charge $30 for admission, is that a church?"

Donegan said Zion's Hope has paid only minimal taxes on the land and would owe $786,000 through February 2004 if they were forced to pay. Annual taxes would amount to about $215,000, he said.

Zion's Hope, which is devoted to converting Jews to Christianity, opened the park in February 2001. It offers recreations of scenes from ancient Jerusalem and biblical settings complete with costumed characters. A gift shop sells books and religious-oriented gifts, and the Oasis Cafe sells food, all exempt from the state's 6 percent sales tax.

[Eric McTavish]

Zion's Hope, which is devoted to converting Jews to Christianity,

I didn't know Jewish folks were in need of converting... Im thinking if this is the case their not making any money... :shock:

[Ysobelle]

Zion's Hope, which is devoted to converting Jews to Christianity,

I didn't know Jewish folks were in need of converting... Im thinking if this is the case their not making any money... :shock:

Oh, yeah, cos lemme tell you, I'll be first in the fucking line to fork over MY money.

[Jessa]

Churches/religous organisations shouldn't have ANY special tax exemptions or rules. If such organisations can meet the qualifications of a being a non-profit group, then they can file under those rules. There's no reason why an organisation that teaches people about religous ideas should be treated or taxed any differently than one that teaches about eviromental conservation or physics. The only thing that courts should be determining here is if Zion's Hope is truely non-profit.

BTW, Didn't the pope actually acknowledged at some point that Jews are the choosen people?

[JohnoWolf]

Ya know, I WORK for a church as their music director, and I have to say I find the whole idea of a "religious theme park", not to mention them being "tax exempt" totally revolting. One of the biggest problems "organized religion" (no matter what flavor) faces is that it seems people these days are just looking for cheap entertainment. Doesn't seem to matter whether you are looking at the "mega-church experience" or the "theme park", or any number of other institutional atrocities they are coming up with these days. One of the latest I heard about recently is the "Golfing Church". The entire "church experience" is centered around the golf course. I guess it makes sense ... you can get your "feel good" and not have to miss the good tee time :roll: . I'm sorry, but what's the point? Whatever happened to "the church is the people, all else is just window dressing", not to mention "where two or more are gathered" (again, appropriate to any faith or belief system).

As for this whole idea of their primary mission being to "convert the jews" ... that just fills me with disgust. If a person is a good person (and I'm not going to even try to define "good" ... too fluid a subject LOL), it doesn't matter if they worship God, Yahweh, or Mumbo Jumbo The Omnipotent. I'm a Preachers Kid. I work for a church. But I came to a major realization a LONG time ago. I'm human. I don't know what God's plan is or what his (or her, or their) "mission statement" reads. I do know that I'm not the person to place limits or constraints on God. Someday by the grace of the Supreme Being by whatever name, I'll find out what he really wants of us. For all I know, Mumbo Jumbo may send me to an eternity of pulling lint out of my belly button for not worshiping them with the right jewels in said belly button. Until that time, it's not my place to pass judgement on what someone believes. All I can do is live by what I feel is "right" and be the best person I can be, and hope that the people around me do the same.

[Eric McTavish]

Oh, yeah, cos lemme tell you, I'll be first in the fucking line to fork over MY money.

Oh good cuz ya know once ya'all hear the Word(tm) 'O Jay-zus(tm)(c) you will see The Light(tm)(c) and be Saved(tm)(c)(et-all) :shock:

My apologies to any Christians out there offended by this...

[Alianne]

Zion's Hope, which is devoted to converting Jews to Christianity,

I didn't know Jewish folks were in need of converting... Im thinking if this is the case their not making any money... :shock:

Oh, yeah, cos lemme tell you, I'll be first in the fucking line to fork over MY money.

Or, as I said to the student ministry idiot who persisted on harrassing me and my Freshman girls at our residence hall picnic, when he asked "Have you found G-d?"....

"Personally, *I've* never *lost* Him."

[Ysobelle]

[quote=Ysobelle]Or, as I said to the student ministry idiot who persisted on harrassing me and my Freshman girls at our residence hall picnic, when he asked "Have you found G-d?"....

"Personally, *I've* never *lost* Him."


"Was S/He missing?"

Or, my fave, "Yeah-- S/He was behind the couch this whole time."

[RichardMacHugely]

Hey, don't knock the christian theme park. They got some great attractions. There's the "Space Mount Sinai" coaster, "Mr. Job's Wild Ride" and "Noah's Arcade" for the kids, and the Red Sea White Water Adventure with real wave parting action at the end. And for grownups looking for more adult entertainments, there's "Sodom and Gomorrah Land".

[Nevada]

what gets me on the conversion issue...Jesus was Jewish...his surviving followers splintered off into a new branch labeled christian....so why would you want to convert Jesus's people from the faith he was so proud to be a part of and was a teacher of the Jewish faith.

[Drea Beth]

what gets me on the conversion issue...Jesus was Jewish...his surviving followers splintered off into a new branch labeled christian....so why would you want to convert Jesus's people from the faith he was so proud to be a part of and was a teacher of the Jewish faith.

Taking this one farther, there were apostles who felt that to follow Christ and his teachings one must also adhear to the laws of the Old Testament. That only Jews could follow Jesus. It's really interesting to think about. If that group had "won" the world would be a whole different place.

[LdyJhawk]

..I may be the only one disconcerted by the fact that The Simpsons jokes are becoming reality.. "welcome to Praiseland..want a Maude mask?"

I can applaud anyone for faith, be it Christian or otherwise. However I find the idea of making a theme park out of religious ideas and history (myth) just vaguely disgusting. It'd be like having Buddha Park..a place where everything is zen! Want a tofudog..?

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

It'd be like having Buddha Park..a place where everything is zen! Want a tofudog..?

Q: What did the Zen Master say to the Hot Dog Vendor?

A: Make me one with everything.

:)

[Artemisia]

(Disclaimer: I'm an accountant and Pagan)

I actually went to The Holy Land Experience. The scenery is nice and yes, they were speaking of the Bible everywhere you went, but they didn't preach to me - well, only twice.

I went into a movie area. I thought they were going to show some type of documentary on the Christian faith or the life of Jesus (which is totally cool with me). The lights were lowered, the large auditorium doors closed on their own (HELP! They're locking me in...get me out of here!!!!!!) and they proceded to show me why I should turn my life over to Christ. My husband was laughing his head off at me (quietly of course).

We also saw a miniature model of the town of Bethlehem. It was beautiful. The guy talked about how long it took to make, the historical references of why they placed what where. At the end, he quickly mentioned how Jesus is the only way and there were a bunch of Hallelujah's shouted. *Sigh* the experience was good until then.

But overall, I had a nice time. They are supposed to open a new library with one or two original ancient scrolls or something. Makes me want to go back...but I'm claustrophobic now. :)

thinking aloud...
Hmmm, maybe I can start a Pagan Theme Park....WOOT! What fun would THAT be! Fires burning, chanting, drumming. (Hm, kinda sounds like Pennsic). Oh, that's right...I don't proselytize. ::signs check to the county::

[Eric McTavish]

thinking aloud...
Hmmm, maybe I can start a Pagan Theme Park....WOOT! What fun would THAT be! Fires burning, chanting, drumming. (Hm, kinda sounds like Pennsic). Oh, that's right...I don't proselytize. ::signs check to the county::

Ohhh we could do a whole series...Odin-Land! Ride the Flying Valkries! Or WiccaWorld and the Happy Cauldren Ride! :shock:

[Artemisia]

thinking aloud...
Hmmm, maybe I can start a Pagan Theme Park....WOOT! What fun would THAT be! Fires burning, chanting, drumming. (Hm, kinda sounds like Pennsic). Oh, that's right...I don't proselytize. ::signs check to the county::
Ohhh we could do a whole series...Odin-Land! Ride the Flying Valkries! Or WiccaWorld and the Happy Cauldren Ride! :shock:
Happy Cauldren Ride for the kiddies! Boy, wouldn't THAT freak out the Fluffy Bunnys!
Broomstick rides, athame throwing, Bizzaro Limbo where you have to jump higher and higher to avoid the flames from the fire...oh, the possibilities! :lol:

[Sparrow]

thinking aloud...
Hmmm, maybe I can start a Pagan Theme Park....WOOT! What fun would THAT be! Fires burning, chanting, drumming. (Hm, kinda sounds like Pennsic). Oh, that's right...I don't proselytize. ::signs check to the county::

Ohhh we could do a whole series...Odin-Land! Ride the Flying Valkries! Or WiccaWorld and the Happy Cauldren Ride! :shock:


Have I mentioned recently that I love you all?

-k