Home History The Bizarre Historical past of Florida's Christian Theme Park – Contained in the Magic

The Bizarre Historical past of Florida's Christian Theme Park – Contained in the Magic

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The Bizarre Historical past of Florida's Christian Theme Park – Contained in the Magic

Do you know that Florida was as soon as residence to a $130 million Christian theme Park?

Properly, it isn’t anymore, as demolition continues on the location. Nonetheless, anybody that grew up dwelling in or visiting Orlando, Florida could acknowledge the huge constructions on the aspect of the freeway that have been a part of the Holy Land Expertise. The Park was each a theme park and a nonprofit group, the place Friends couldn’t solely take part in Bible research and church providers however discover a recreation of the traditional metropolis of Jerusalem.

Jesus with a group of tourists at the Holy Land Experience
Credit score: Holy Land Expertise

There have been even leisure choices, together with an actor portraying Jesus that might carry out in every day recreations of the crucifixion. This facet particularly was met with a whole lot of controversy from Christians and non-Christians alike, however the whole Park additionally garnered ire for seemingly profiting off of Christianity. It marketed itself as a dwelling biblical museum and was owned by the Trinity Broadcasting Community when it bought the Park from its unique house owners in 2007.

The Park formally closed in February 2020 after a number of years of a pointy decline in income, and the property was offered to AdventHealth in August 2021. AdventHealth is planning to show the world into a brand new hospital, and demolition began late final month.

Front entrance of the Holy Land Experience in the sun
Credit score: Holy Land Expertise

However what different unusual secrets and techniques did the Holy Land Expertise maintain?

The Park was met with controversy as quickly because it opened in 2001, with the Jewish Protection League accusing the Park of proselytizing Jews to Christianity. It additionally garnered dissension for making use of for tax exemption standing quickly after its opening, as though it was registered as a theme park, it was additionally thought-about to be a church. Orange County denied it initially, however a decide dominated in favor of the Park in 2005 due to its mission of spreading the phrase of God, which isn’t for revenue and, subsequently, permits it to learn from a tax exemption. This forgave the Park $300,000 yearly in property taxes.

When the Trinity Broadcasting Community bought the Park in 2007, it launched new reside leisure, retail, and eating places, together with the two,000-seat Church of All Nations auditorium. The power featured reside shows and reenactments of the eagerness and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the depiction of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to heaven. Reside tapings of TBN’s flagship TV present, Reward the Lord, have been additionally taped within the facility, along with live shows and church providers.

The Holy Land Experience
Credit score: Deserted Atlas

Though the location will quickly be fully gone, it’s unlikely that Floridians will neglect this unusual theme park any time quickly.

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