2008 Woodie Awards
Theme park a headache of biblical proportions
Evan Barker
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Opinions
BiblePark USA's plans for development in Murfreesboro suffered a severe setback on Monday night, as the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission voted 8 to 7 against rezoning the potential development site for the theme park.
To those who haven't heard, BiblePark USA was proposed as a non-evangelical, non-denominational theme park which would showcase biblical exhibits using special effects and actors. It was to be built in the recently annexed Blackman Community, to the north of Murfreesboro, close to the 840 parkway and I-24.
The park was proposed by Safe Harbor Holdings LLC, a company from New York City which specializes in "A commitment to lower risk, higher reward investment opportunities that are often overlooked by the broader market" according to its Web site.
This is postmodernism at its best (or worst). This is a park designed to cater to the religious sensibilities of a majority of the population, but it's non-everything.
Non-evangelical and non-denominational lessen the odds of serious ecclesiastical opposition as well as broadening the potential customer base. It's warm, it's fuzzy, and it's here for everyone, as long as they have the money.
A rapidly growing city at the confluence of two major interstates and another large tourist area must have seemed a gold mine to the investors and developers at Safe Harbor. Of course, the prevailing stereotype of the Bible belt is that of a place where people generally don't mind mixing religion and politics. Hence the city involvement in the Bible Park scheme.
The Blackman Community was annexed into Murfreesboro in 2006, against vehement opposition from its residents. To add insult to injury, Bible Park was proposed shortly thereafter. In essence, the city of Murfreesboro found a way to expand its property, then found a convenient cash cow to occupy it.
The arguments made by Safe Harbor include the standard "job creation, tax revenue, tourism business, etc" that one hears whenever a large development is proposed. These things are all well and good, but Murfreesboro is doing fine on its own, and city leaders were plain greedy to even entertain the idea. Does anyone want a few thousand tourists out on Old Fort Parkway?
To those who haven't heard, BiblePark USA was proposed as a non-evangelical, non-denominational theme park which would showcase biblical exhibits using special effects and actors. It was to be built in the recently annexed Blackman Community, to the north of Murfreesboro, close to the 840 parkway and I-24.
The park was proposed by Safe Harbor Holdings LLC, a company from New York City which specializes in "A commitment to lower risk, higher reward investment opportunities that are often overlooked by the broader market" according to its Web site.
This is postmodernism at its best (or worst). This is a park designed to cater to the religious sensibilities of a majority of the population, but it's non-everything.
Non-evangelical and non-denominational lessen the odds of serious ecclesiastical opposition as well as broadening the potential customer base. It's warm, it's fuzzy, and it's here for everyone, as long as they have the money.
A rapidly growing city at the confluence of two major interstates and another large tourist area must have seemed a gold mine to the investors and developers at Safe Harbor. Of course, the prevailing stereotype of the Bible belt is that of a place where people generally don't mind mixing religion and politics. Hence the city involvement in the Bible Park scheme.
The Blackman Community was annexed into Murfreesboro in 2006, against vehement opposition from its residents. To add insult to injury, Bible Park was proposed shortly thereafter. In essence, the city of Murfreesboro found a way to expand its property, then found a convenient cash cow to occupy it.
The arguments made by Safe Harbor include the standard "job creation, tax revenue, tourism business, etc" that one hears whenever a large development is proposed. These things are all well and good, but Murfreesboro is doing fine on its own, and city leaders were plain greedy to even entertain the idea. Does anyone want a few thousand tourists out on Old Fort Parkway?
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 13
Matthew Hurtt
posted 4/16/08 @ 11:54 PM CST
This is overall a pretty good piece... I am totally against this part, but there are some inaccuracies here:
"To those who haven't heard, BiblePark USA was proposed as a non-evangelical, non-denominational theme park which would showcase biblical exhibits using special effects and actors. (Continued…)
news across the neocon empire
posted 4/17/08 @ 3:46 AM CST
Bible Park lol lol lol lol lol...
They should call it "Puritan Land" its a more accurate description.
Thank you Murfreesboro and Blackman Community for giving me something to laugh at lol lol lol lol. (Continued…)
joey
posted 4/17/08 @ 7:16 AM CST
I highly doubt the whole world is laughing at Murfreesboro. I'm in Asia right now, and aside from one person I met in Bangkok who went to MTSU, people couldn't care less about what M-boro does. (Continued…)
Think About It
posted 4/17/08 @ 9:28 AM CST
The area known as Blackman has not been annexed. Not yet anyway, except for a few hundred acres off Beesley Road south of 840. All of the area being discussed in relation to the theme park is outside the city limits. (Continued…)
Hunter Barry
posted 4/21/08 @ 1:18 AM CST
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/as.html
I'm sorry, but I'm afraid 67% of Australians identify themselves as some form of Christianity. (Continued…)
Hunter Barry
posted 4/21/08 @ 9:15 AM CST
Alas, it is a shame to see that is how you react when faced with irrefutable facts to the contrary. It is impossible for you to know the faith of each individual in a country as big as Australia, no matter how long you've lived there. (Continued…)
Hunter Barry
posted 4/21/08 @ 11:56 PM CST
I'm not sure how many times I have to state this again. I think the Bible Theme Park is a stupid idea.
Again, I agree with you. The Bible Theme Park is a stupid idea. (Continued…)
Post a Comment