Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

[Opus1guy]

I just read the following in Vanity Fair (Oct 2006):

...in June, [Florida] Governor Jeb Bush signed into law a bill that exempts theme parks that "display, exhibit, illustrate and interpret biblical manuscripts" from paying local property taxes.

Pardon the pun...but what in the hell is this?

Does this mean we'll see Walt Disney World plugging in "The Many Adventures of Jesus the Christ" into their parks in order to get out of paying Reedy Creek local property taxes? And what would Reedy Creek do without Walt Disney World's taxes?

Will Shamu act as stunt double for Noah's Ark in a big new biblical flood show at Sea World?

Will Universal's "One Fish, Two Fish" attraction be converted into a Jesus "The Feeding Of The 5000" gospel reference?

Good Lord! Where will it all end?

I'll tell you where it will all end. As soon as I finish my 6-CD set "Understanding End Times" about preparing for the end of the world...that's sold in souvenir stands at the Holy Land Experience theme park in Orlando. Though I probably should have held off purchasing it until after They start to benefit from this tax break. I bet They will really benefit from this new law!

[sir clinksalot]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

I don't agree with this at all. A Theme Park is a money-making venture, and should not be exempt from Taxes.

Isn't Jedi a religion in England??? Disney has Star Tours.

[Melonballer]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

I agree too, this is ridiculous. Doesn't Epcot have a Nativity scene during the Christmas season? Couldn't they get to avoid property taxes as well. Well look at it this way, even with the tax break they are probably going to go out of business one of these days. I have heard their finances are really poor. It'd be funny though if Disney got to avoid their taxes too. Could you imagine the uproar that would cause?

[sediment]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

Good Lord! Where will it all end?

Thanks to this sentence, MiceChat has received a tax break for 2006!!

[Cmash95]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

the park in question has always had a tax break as a religious institution. and frankly I read awhile ago that it was in danger of having to close it's doors. Disney pays plenty not only in property taxes but also sales tax and hotel taxes.

[jimmay]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

This is just one in a line of attempts to start up religious themeparks. The others have all failed.

As for the tax break, I'll be very surprised--right ro not--if this is enough to save the park.

[RobotMirror]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

I'm against religions having a tax exemption at all, but at least I can see the steps here from tax breaks to religions, to tax breaks to "religious based activities".

Great. All we need are even MORE Creationist Theme Parks!

[aimster]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

"The Many Adventures of Jesus the Christ"

Someone please get me a brain scrubber to get this disturbing image in my head of Jesus flying around on a balloon on a blustery day. :lmao:

"And the rain rain rain came down down down.... for 40 days and 40 nights..."

[Hilsbro]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

Someone please get me a brain scrubber to get this disturbing image in my head of Jesus flying around on a balloon on a blustery day. :lmao:

"And the rain rain rain came down down down.... for 40 days and 40 nights..."

And you know how pooh has that party at the end......Tis the last supper

[lazyboy97O]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

Long live The Holy Land Experience! I want to see the photo of Jeb with the walk around Jesus.

[Aladdin]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

I just read the following in Vanity Fair (Oct 2006):

Will Shamu act as stunt double for Noah's Ark in a big new biblical flood show at Sea World?

Of Course not! Haven't you heard of Jonah?

[FrumiousBoojum]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

So, is there a minimum of how much you need to have in order to qualify? Once a year? A large attraction? I see this could be used for plenty of evil by the parks... Just hide a manuscript somewhere on property and they fit the requirements.

You know, a display of a circa 1900 Bible in a Main Street window would fit in, or a display of the Disney family Bible (or something along that nature) in the MGM Walt exhibit. A new Missionary hut with a display of a South African bible in Africa at AK. Or a display of a copy of the Jefferson Bible at The American Adventure or Hall of Presidents.

[sailerm]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

Well now we know why that guy was handing out tracts in Fantasy land a week ago.

[Opus1guy]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

the park in question has always had a tax break as a religious institution.

Apparently not. At least not local property taxes.

Holy Land paid a team of lobbyists between $10,000 and $30,000 to push the legislation through, according to lobbyists' records.

Some Orange County officials argue that Holy Land operates like a business and warn that the tax law could be exploited by other theme parks. "I still believe today that though it's very religious, it's a religious theme park, not a religious entity," said Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan. "What does the Holy Land provide? Goliath burgers."

The park's tax break has also angered church-state separationists who say it favors Judeo-Christian beliefs and makes no provision for other faiths.

The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said Florida lawmakers were duped into signing away tax dollars. "If a Mickey Mouse amusement park has to pay taxes, then a Jesus and Moses park has to pay taxes, too," Lynn said.

Above from:

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/15525794.htm

[Tom Chaney]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

Religious activities have enjoyed tax-exempt status for a long time. It would seem to me that a "hands-off" approach to religious enterprise defines the notion of "seperation of church and state."

Why all the backlash against religion?

I'm no Bible-thumper by a long shot, but I'm constantly puzzled by the anti-religion piling-on. What skin is it off your nose, anyway?

The gummint takes in a pile o' dough already. This past quarter saw the largest revenues to the IRS ever! (From those who have to pay their own estimated taxes.)

So, some podunk Jesus theme-park in Florida gets a pass. So what?

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

So, some podunk Jesus theme-park in Florida gets a pass. So what?

Because a Wiccan theme park probably wouldn't get the same tax break?

...in June, [Florida] Governor Jeb Bush signed into law a bill that exempts theme parks that "display, exhibit, illustrate and interpret biblical manuscripts" from paying local property taxes.

"Biblical" isn't exactly an all-inclusive religious word. This bill favors a specific religion. That's not cool at all.

[FrumiousBoojum]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

Because a Wiccan theme park probably wouldn't get the same tax break?

I think that's mostly because in America, I doubt a Wiccan theme park could even get built. I'm sure somebody would find a way to bomb the construction if it gets that far...

[thejoshualee]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

if they tried to make Wicca a Theme Park it would probably be as lame as the Christian Theme Parks.

[Neon Cactus]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

So, if the printing press scene in Spaceship Earth at EPCOT features the Guttenberg Bible, and is mentioned in the narration as such, does that mean that Walt Disney World qualifies to be tax exempt? After all, that would fall under displaying it. And Universal can bring back BTTF, and change it so Marty McFly goes back in time to meet Jesus Christ and chase Biff around Jerusalem.

This is a theme park, not a church. I'm not sure exactly how the law is going to be applied, but if I were WDW, Universal or Anheuser-Busch, I'd be arguing discrimination if they are given tax breaks that give them an unfair competitive advantage.

[FrumiousBoojum]

Re: Holy Theme Park Tax Break, Batman!

And Universal can bring back BTTF, and change it so Marty McFly goes back in time to meet Jesus Christ and chase Biff around Jerusalem.

No, that was Journey to Jerusalem at Epcot. Worst. Ride. Ever.