The Holy Land Experience
The Holy Land Experience is a themed exhibit and a museum located in Orlando, Florida that is meant to replicate the architecture and themes of 1st century Israel. The attraction is targeted at Christians.[1]
History
Founding
Marvin Rosenthal, a Jewish born Baptist minister, founded both the Holy Land Experience and Zion's Hope, which funded the park's construction. The park opened in February 2001.[2]
Reception
The Jewish Defense League protested at the Holy Land Experience on its opening day; the group claimed that the purpose of the park was to convert Jews to Christianity, although Rosenthal denied these claims.[2]
Trinity Broadcasting Network ownership
The Holy Land Experience was purchased for $37,000,000 by Trinity Broadcasting Network in June 2007, amid lagging ticket receipts and an estimated $8,000,000 debt.[3]
The theme park was featured in Bill Maher's 2008 movie Religulous, where he debated a park actor portraying Jesus of Nazareth.
On August 21, 2007, former president and board member, Tom Powell, resigned his position to seek "new challenges." Four people remained on the park's board: Paul Crouch Sr., Jan Crouch, Paul Crouch Jr., and Matthew Crouch. Paul Crouch Jr. was named the park's president in early August.[4] Between 50 and 100 employees lost their jobs when they were cut from the payroll in October 2007.[3]
Future plans
TBN plans to upgrade the facility by adding additional attractions including a movie studio to produce Christian films, and a television studio for its recently purchased WHLV-TV. Local administration will be relocated to TBN's California headquarters in phases, when possible.
Exhibits
- Jerusalem Street Market: A Middle Eastern marketplace, with city well, and street merchants who interact with guests.
- The Old Scroll Shop: An example of 1st century shopping.
- Church of All Nations Prayer Garden: Based on the Church of All Nations built in 1924 by the Catholic Church on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. The traditional church depicts a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest.
- The Judean Village: Outdoor vignette stage for dramas and musicals.
- Calvary’s Garden Tomb: A replica of the Garden Tomb where Jesus’ body was laid to rest.
- Oasis Palms Café: A cafe with an authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere.
- Temple Plaza: A six story, white and gold temple, which was the center of Jerusalem’s religious life, serves as a backdrop for the Temple Plaza. It hosts live musicals, presentations, and events.
- Last Supper Communion: Guests may partake of the last supper with Jesus and disciples.
- Jerusalem Model 66 A.D.: The world’s largest indoor model of Jerusalem. Presentations explain the city’s landmarks and Christ’s final days in Jerusalem.
- The Shofar Shop: A gift shop.
- Shofar Auditorium: A state-of-the-art venue for dramas, musicals, and presentations.
- The Scriptorium: A presentation of the history of the Bible, including authentic, ancient artifacts from around the world.
- Living Word Prayer Garden: Gardens for resting, reflecting and praying.
- Crystal Living Waters: A dancing waters presentation.
Property taxes
There was a four year legal fight concerning almost $1,000,000 in property taxes that Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan alleged were owed. Donnegan argued that the Holy Land Experience is a theme park. Donegan dropped his fight after state lawmakers passed a law in 2006 granting a tax exemption for theme parks that display, exhibit, illustrate and interpret biblical manuscripts. This is similar to the tax exemption for museums that present historical information on other subjects. The law prevented Orange County from collecting the alleged backtaxes as well as forgiving the park $300,000 in yearly property taxes. The law requires the park to offer an annual free admissions day.[5][6]
References
- ^ Davis, James D. (2007). "Holyland theme park". Sun Sentinel (Tribune Company). http://www.southflorida.com/travel/sfl-holyland,0,7964224.story. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ a b "Controversy At Religious Theme Park: Jews Protest, Claim Goal Is To Convert Jews To Christianity". CBS NEWS. CBS Interactive Inc.. 2001-02-05. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/02/05/national/main269646.shtml. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
- ^ a b Pinsky, Mark I.; Susan Thompson (2007-10-21). "Scores lose jobs as Holy Land undergoes extreme makeover: The new owners preach the prosperity gospel while boosting park attendance". Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Company). http://www.orlandosentinel.com/topic/chi-holyland-story,0,5402783.story?page=1. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ http://newsinitiative.org/story/2007/08/28/holy_land_experience_chief_resigns Holy Land Experience chief resigns 10 weeks into TBN takeover - Carnegie Knight Foundation
- ^ "Holy Land Experience gains ground for growth: Small attraction buys adjacent office park". Orlando Business Journal (American City Business Journals Inc.). 2009-01-09 (modified 2009-01-12). http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/01/12/story2.html. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ Kassab, Beth (June 29, 2009). "Holy Land free day still a mystery". Orlando Sentinel. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cfborl-beth-kassab-holy-land-06062909jun29,0,4064379.column. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
External links
See also