Fla. Christian Theme Park Dodges Property Tax

Gold9472

Gold9472

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Fla. Christian Theme Park Dodges Property Tax

http://www.newsnet5.com/travelgetaways/4713706/detail.html

UPDATED: 1:49 pm EDT July 12, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Florida judge has ruled in favor of a Christian theme park seeking an exemption from property taxes.

The Holy Land Experience in Orlando is operated by a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian ministry called Zion's Hope, which is devoted to converting Jews to Christianity.

It had been granted only limited exemptions for administrative and education facilities.

The Orange County Property Appraiser's office had denied the group's broader request in 2001, arguing the park was a tourist attraction rather than a church.

But Judge Cynthia MacKinnon said all of the park is tax-exempt.
In her ruling, the judge said Zion's Hope is using The Holy Land Experience "to spread what it considers to be God's word."

The park features scenes from ancient Jerusalem and biblical settings complete with costumed characters.

The $16 million, 15-acre park opened in 2001.
 
That's pretty funny. I'm not sure why it's relavent, though. Do you disagree with the ruling?
 
Other groups get the same kinds of benifits, like charities.
 
Yes, but most charities give money away to "worthwhile" causes, whereas religious organizations take money. The Vatican is one of the richest organizations in the world.
 
Can't argue with you there. You could say, however, that the churches do give back to the people, spritually, but you'd have to be a believer for that.
 
I think I prefer the religous groups to the athiest ones, though. They use the law to agrivate and get their way over other people more often and in stupider ways.
 
And a lot of charities poorly manage their donations, especially government run charities, which average about 40 cents per dollar actually going to the cause, I think. It might be less.
 
As far as believing in Religion... which religion are you referring to? The one that binds your family, the one that helps you get through the "tough times" with prayers, or... the one that says homosexuals aren't human beings, that pornography is not a form of expression, that abortion should not be allowed, etc...?

I put this amusement park in the category of the latter...
 
It's "non-denominational" :D I never said I agree with organized religon, I don't.
 
There are some Christian sects that are good for the people. There isn't really that much info in the article on this one, other than their non-denomninational, they convert jews to christianity, and they have a theme park.
 
It's not that I don't agree with Religion. I think people have a right to believe in whatever they want. However why should religions be tax exempt? And why can an amusement park be tax exempt, regardless of its' religious conotations? That doesn't sound right. Next, you're going to hear about TV stations that carry religious programming as being tax exempt...
 
My comment on some good religous stuff was because of your agruement about gay rights and abortion (which is something I disagree with).
 
They make things like that tax except because they are supposed to be "non-profit", and can't afford to pay taxes. Thats why charities are tax exempt, too. It's not because they are religous.
 
jetsetlemming said:
My comment on some good religous stuff was because of your agruement about gay rights and abortion (which is something I disagree with).
Click to expand...

What do you disagree with?
 
It annoys the hell out of me how pro abortion people call themselves "pro choice" like it's a women's rights issue. There are certain things NOBODY'S allowed to do, and killing is one of them.
 
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