The Ark Of The Discord

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Written on January 30, 2011 at 7:29 am by God Discussion Reporter

CNN's Anderson Cooper examines church and state issues surrounding Kentucky Noah's Ark theme park

The biblically based "Noah's Ark" theme park in northern Kentucky is slated to receive tax incentives from the state because of its projected tourism revenue and job opportunities. Answers in Genesis, which is behind the "Creation Museum," is a major player behind the Ark Encounter project.

It is reported that the theme park might get $37 million in tax incentives after it opens and starts generating tourist revenue.

Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis sat down with CNN's Anderson Cooper on Jan. 27 to talk about the museum and the separation of church and state issues that are associated with it.

Ham claims it is a for-profit business, but Lynn pointed out that it is actually a ministry that is trying to convert people into believing in the Bible stories. Ham insists that the state government is not promoting a religious viewpoint and that Answers in Genesis does not own the Ark Encounter.

Lynn countered,

"The truth of the matter is that this park, whether it is partially private or partially for profit … it is promoting the one thing that the other groups getting subsidies don't promote, and that is a specific religious viewpoint. Answers in Genesis does believe that the earth is six thousand years old, believes that dinosaurs and humans existed at the same time — only true in the Flinstones — and also believes that there were really unicorns. I don't think that the heft, that the weight of the state of Kentucky should be asking anyone directly or indirectly to subsidize these ideas."

Jeffrey Toobin, CNN's Senior Legal Analyst said that the courts have not been clear in this area. "The government can't sponsor something if the primary purpose is to sponsor religion," he said, adding that in recent years the courts have been more accommodating of government sponsoring religion. He thinks the courts will hold up Kentucky's decision.

Lynn said that the primary motive is a ministry and that Noah did not need public funds to build his ark.

Ham claimed that Lynn wants the state to discriminate against promoting a biblical theme.