Yay For The Separation of Church & State: Bible Park Plan Rejected

[DeSwiss]

Planners reject Bible Park plan after long meeting

The Tennessean • By TURNER HUTCHENS • April 15, 2008

MURFREESBORO — Debates over the impact of the proposed Bible Park USA lasted into the night Monday, but in the end, the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission voted 8-7 to deny a conditional use permit and rezoning plan for Bible Park USA.

Opponents of the park wore red and proponents wore green stickers for the public hearing before the Regional Planning Commission. The meeting began at 5 p.m. and continued several hours.

The commission was considering rezoning of 282 acres in the Blackman Community northwest of Murfreesboro to allow the $175 million to $200 million Bible theme park.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/COUNTY07/804150370">MORE

- The original proposal had called for the use of public monies in the form of tax-increment financing to build this park. And yet the plan was rejected by only a 8-7 vote by the county commission in denying the request. Whew.

Still for Tennessee (AKA: Bible-Belt Buckle), that's some victory....
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DeSwiss


http://atheisttoolbox.com/">The Atheist Toolbox

[cynatnite]

1. A place for families where they can witness a crucifixion...

recreated by other wingnuts in order to make money. Next on the list is Noah's Water Ride. Cruise around in an ark and watch the sinners drown.

Sorry, reading a book about suffering. It's carrying over.

on edit: Glad it flopped.

[DeSwiss]

3. Yep, this idea was a bummer right out of the shute....

...and besides, it's already been tried down in Florida before, and they're barely scrapin' by:

Theme Park Discovers That Killing Jesus Saves Them From Bankruptcy

Savior emerges for attraction simulating Jerusalem in Orlando

The Associated Press
Published: August 7, 2007
By TRAVIS REED

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Jesus Christ is crucified and resurrected here six days a week. Snarling Roman soldiers whip and drag him, and somber audience members watch. Some quietly weep at a pageant bloody and cruel.

It is the grand finale at the Holy Land Experience, and not the attraction most tourists envision in an Orlando vacation. Just miles from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld in this city's overstimulated tourist corridor, Holy Land has in its six years of operation aimed to recreate Jerusalem of Biblical times.

It is often referred to as a "Christian theme park," but the park offers lectures, not rides, making it feel more like a trip to church. Its officers prefer to call it a "living Biblical museum" and until last month, the nonprofit operation was troubled. Management changed hands, its founder left and attendance was flat. But suddenly, a savior appeared.

Trinity Broadcasting Network, a California-based Christian empire with 12,500 worldwide TV and cable affiliates, took over Holy Land and its estimated $8 million mortgage. Both are nonprofit organizations, so Trinity describes the deal as a "marriage" rather than a purchase, saying little money changed hands. Already, ticket sales are up 25 percent, owing to mentions on the new parent's broadcasts, and an expansion is planned. It will include new shows, a general freshening and a new Trinity television studio, where movies and TV shows will be filmed and furnish even more publicity.

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/08/america/NA-FEA-REL-US-Christian-Theme-Park.php">MORE

- I suppose so many are having trouble these days trying to sell that 'ol "VirginBirth-WaterToWine-WalksOnWater-He'sDead-No-He'sAlive" story, that they've finally decided to go with what they know will sell. Blood & Death. Like they say in the teevee news business: "if it bleeds -- it leads...."

[ZombieHorde]

2. Yay!! A win for SoC&S!

[DeSwiss]

4. This calls for a beer!!!

- Some reasons for drinking are better than others....