For a child, I think this would undermine the foundation of the Faith in Christ. Meaning, they can get Jesus's autograph on vacation, then when they return home, they are told Jesus is in heaven. This would have confused me as a child, even as a teen. Faith is believing without seeing. An Easter pageant is one thing, but a theme park all about it is another. My opinion is one that this is over the top. Educating people is a great idea, but this is not the way to truly get the gospel to Americans. Then what about the actors... are they Christians? Jews? probably not, so do they understand what they are doing? or is it just a job that pays? If the man playing Jesus is a Christian, what impact does that have on him? I know of men who have played Jesus in the Easter play, and have been so overwhelmed by it, that it makes their whole life somber. Its hard on them and their family. Interesting. Thanks Z for sharing this!
I recently saw a special on religion one of the HD channels I think it was that included some footage and interviews with people from here. It's run by TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) so that should say enough right there. Most of the crowd looked like . . . well, your typical TBN type audience member if I can say that, whatever that means. It's highly appealing to people of the southern bible belt mentality obviously. The interviews I saw, at least with the character portraying Jesus, were pretty obvious that he WAS a Christian. I don't know about the rest of the casts and crew but my bet is they are for the most part. (there are PLENTY of Christian theater people looking for jobs - trust me.) Not weighing on if this is bad or good - personally I wouldn't go there - looked/sounded preetty cheesy to me - like a large overly produced Christmas/Easter production like you see in big southern baptist churches.
The mission of The Holy Land Experience is: To graciously proclaim to all people, in harmony with the Bible – the Word of God – and using all appropriate means, the need for personal salvation through Jesus the Lord and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, education, or national origin. In concert with these purposes, The Holy Land Experience seeks to bring the Bible to life and to educate believers and present the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
i drove by it last spring when i was in Orlando.....and just DRIVING by it gave me the willies. Maybe they could have DC Talk play there and resurrect their careers....? But, all in all, it just FELT weird.....
Could be worse . . . could be the "Eternal Life In Hell Experience" ! Then again, maybe that would be GOOD for humanity. Actually right now, I think being a life long Cubs fan is as close as one can get to eternal damnation! *grin*
It is one thing to use Christianity to get ahead in life and make a ton of money, it is another to try and spread the gospel. Who are we to judge on which ways the Christian decides to do so? I lived in Orlando for a year and it is an entertaining city, to say the least. We cannot judge their hearts as to whether or not their mission statement is true, but I think the benefit of the doubt needs to be given to them. They know that millions of people are vacationing in Orlando in a given year and they know that they want to be entertained so if people go to a "theme park" and come out knowing more truth about the gospel in which God can work through, why not have? God can use any means by which the gospel is proclaimed so how about we get off of our christian hierarchical thrones and appreciate the fact that someone is helping to spread the gospel in such a large way?
Bridget - sorry, I didn't mean to offend. And I didn't mean that it's ONLY appealing to people from the southern bible belt affinity/mentality and no one else. Certainly it can appeal to people from many walks/religions. But what I was getting at - if you take a serious study and look at the the cultural types from the south/bible belt and their church style and christian entertainment style (I've lived there twice (Dallas Texas) but am currently and mostly from the midwest) you'll see that this type of thing is right up their alley in many ways - especially to the older generation. And it seemed that a number of the people portrayed in this Newsweek video as well as the special I saw on TV were from the south and at least "appeared" to be from a more southern/bible belt style of culture. I can't say that for a fact, but it appeared to me that way. And I don't say that with any negative implied. Just that it seems it attracts that culture of Christianity. To be quite honest, while I probably wouldn't choose to go there myself (I might for my daughter if she found it attractive to her) I agree much more with Trish here that we shouldn't just automatically bash it either. And I totally agree with your statement about kids - I can't imagine a child being "undermined or confused" by the experience as "anonymous" suggested. I do think benefit of doubt is warranted here, as well as how Trish said "how about we get off of our christian hierarchical thrones and appreciate the fact that someone is helping to spread the gospel in such a large way? Not to mention we should never judge until we've experienced something ourselves. That said, I do think that this also should be viewed with true artistic merit in mind. Disney makes great us of the arts with merit. Cirque du Soleil makes great use of the arts. Would this stand up to that? Should it? Would it prove credible on Broadway? In the Cinema? I would like to see someone pursue a similar venture with the same standards. I'm not saying they haven't - I haven't been there. I've only seen what little is on this video and the special on TV I saw. But I'm just saying I'd long to see that kind of artistic caliber and mentality put behind it if it's not.
I first heard about this in the book Rapture Ready. Some people would have good reason to pass on this, and others have reported really getting something good out of it.
I think the problem lies in the word "experience". Its sad that most people are looking for an experience in the same way a drug addict looks for the next high.
They base their whole beliefs system on experience rather them the truth of the word of God. This what we get from a "TBN worldview".
t5I've actually been to the Holy Land Experience. I went in 2002 when it was just beginning and before it was taken over by TBN. It was also before they build the Scriptorium, which is supposed to have the world's largest collection of original manuscripts (papyri, etc). Having been there, I would say that the manuscripts would be the only reason I would ever go back.
I can also say that I can see exactly why TBN would be interested in buying this place. Its right up their alley.
I have to say I wasn't big on it... but then again, I'm not big on most stuff specifically marketed at Christians.
Are you saying that going to church on Sunday mornings is similar to going to this amusement park, in that it all depends on what a particular person "gets" out of it?
I would say that there are *some* churches that *no one* should go to, for obvious reasons (abusive churches, or prosperity gospel churches that don't put forth the true Gospel), but other than those sorts of churches, what would constitute a "good reason" for someone to refuse to go to church on Sunday?
Perhaps unwittingly there, Zach, I think you just summed up the failure of too many church youth groups--a lot of amusement, a little Cross. May things be different at DSC, to the glory of God!
uh, to be honest, if I'm correct they don't have bumper cars or roller coasters at the Holy Land Experience. the walk on water experience would be cool however. *grin*
18 comments:
Meh,
Save your vacation money and rent Jesus Christ Superstar if you want something to immerse your senses in.
For a child, I think this would undermine the foundation of the Faith in Christ. Meaning, they can get Jesus's autograph on vacation, then when they return home, they are told Jesus is in heaven. This would have confused me as a child, even as a teen. Faith is believing without seeing. An Easter pageant is one thing, but a theme park all about it is another. My opinion is one that this is over the top. Educating people is a great idea, but this is not the way to truly get the gospel to Americans.
Then what about the actors... are they Christians? Jews? probably not, so do they understand what they are doing? or is it just a job that pays? If the man playing Jesus is a Christian, what impact does that have on him? I know of men who have played Jesus in the Easter play, and have been so overwhelmed by it, that it makes their whole life somber. Its hard on them and their family. Interesting. Thanks Z for sharing this!
Um... crap. That's what I think about it.
And boy oh boy, it looks packed.
Save your money and go to the Holy Land if you want the authentic experience.
Otherwise, go to Six Flags or Disneyland unless you want your kids to hate you.
Let me know when they get a roller coaster where you ride on Jesus' back. I will be there.
I recently saw a special on religion one of the HD channels I think it was that included some footage and interviews with people from here. It's run by TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) so that should say enough right there. Most of the crowd looked like . . . well, your typical TBN type audience member if I can say that, whatever that means. It's highly appealing to people of the southern bible belt mentality obviously. The interviews I saw, at least with the character portraying Jesus, were pretty obvious that he WAS a Christian. I don't know about the rest of the casts and crew but my bet is they are for the most part. (there are PLENTY of Christian theater people looking for jobs - trust me.) Not weighing on if this is bad or good - personally I wouldn't go there - looked/sounded preetty cheesy to me - like a large overly produced Christmas/Easter production like you see in big southern baptist churches.
their website is here . . .
http://www.holylandexperience.com
Mission statement on the site is . . .
The mission of The Holy Land Experience is:
To graciously proclaim to all people, in harmony with the Bible – the Word of God – and using all appropriate means, the need for personal salvation through Jesus the Lord and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, education, or national origin.
In concert with these purposes, The Holy Land Experience seeks to bring the Bible to life and to educate believers and present the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
i drove by it last spring when i was in Orlando.....and just DRIVING by it gave me the willies. Maybe they could have DC Talk play there and resurrect their careers....? But, all in all, it just FELT weird.....
Could be worse . . . could be the "Eternal Life In Hell Experience" ! Then again, maybe that would be GOOD for humanity. Actually right now, I think being a life long Cubs fan is as close as one can get to eternal damnation! *grin*
It is one thing to use Christianity to get ahead in life and make a ton of money, it is another to try and spread the gospel. Who are we to judge on which ways the Christian decides to do so? I lived in Orlando for a year and it is an entertaining city, to say the least. We cannot judge their hearts as to whether or not their mission statement is true, but I think the benefit of the doubt needs to be given to them. They know that millions of people are vacationing in Orlando in a given year and they know that they want to be entertained so if people go to a "theme park" and come out knowing more truth about the gospel in which God can work through, why not have? God can use any means by which the gospel is proclaimed so how about we get off of our christian hierarchical thrones and appreciate the fact that someone is helping to spread the gospel in such a large way?
Bridget - sorry, I didn't mean to offend. And I didn't mean that it's ONLY appealing to people from the southern bible belt affinity/mentality and no one else. Certainly it can appeal to people from many walks/religions. But what I was getting at - if you take a serious study and look at the the cultural types from the south/bible belt and their church style and christian entertainment style (I've lived there twice (Dallas Texas) but am currently and mostly from the midwest) you'll see that this type of thing is right up their alley in many ways - especially to the older generation. And it seemed that a number of the people portrayed in this Newsweek video as well as the special I saw on TV were from the south and at least "appeared" to be from a more southern/bible belt style of culture. I can't say that for a fact, but it appeared to me that way. And I don't say that with any negative implied. Just that it seems it attracts that culture of Christianity. To be quite honest, while I probably wouldn't choose to go there myself (I might for my daughter if she found it attractive to her) I agree much more with Trish here that we shouldn't just automatically bash it either. And I totally agree with your statement about kids - I can't imagine a child being "undermined or confused" by the experience as "anonymous" suggested. I do think benefit of doubt is warranted here, as well as how Trish said "how about we get off of our christian hierarchical thrones and appreciate the fact that someone is helping to spread the gospel in such a large way? Not to mention we should never judge until we've experienced something ourselves. That said, I do think that this also should be viewed with true artistic merit in mind. Disney makes great us of the arts with merit. Cirque du Soleil makes great use of the arts. Would this stand up to that? Should it? Would it prove credible on Broadway? In the Cinema? I would like to see someone pursue a similar venture with the same standards. I'm not saying they haven't - I haven't been there. I've only seen what little is on this video and the special on TV I saw. But I'm just saying I'd long to see that kind of artistic caliber and mentality put behind it if it's not.
Here's what would seal the deal for me: If they had a "walk on water" attraction.
I would suddenly be a huge supporter of the place.
"Ascend to the heavens like Jesus" would also be pretty sweet...
I first heard about this in the book Rapture Ready. Some people would have good reason to pass on this, and others have reported really getting something good out of it.
Sorta like church on Sunday morning.
I think the problem lies in the word "experience". Its sad that most people are looking for an experience in the same way a drug addict looks for the next high.
They base their whole beliefs system on experience rather them the truth of the word of God. This what we get from a "TBN worldview".
t5I've actually been to the Holy Land Experience. I went in 2002 when it was just beginning and before it was taken over by TBN. It was also before they build the Scriptorium, which is supposed to have the world's largest collection of original manuscripts (papyri, etc). Having been there, I would say that the manuscripts would be the only reason I would ever go back.
I can also say that I can see exactly why TBN would be interested in buying this place. Its right up their alley.
I have to say I wasn't big on it... but then again, I'm not big on most stuff specifically marketed at Christians.
Paul Wilkinson,
Are you saying that going to church on Sunday mornings is similar to going to this amusement park, in that it all depends on what a particular person "gets" out of it?
I would say that there are *some* churches that *no one* should go to, for obvious reasons (abusive churches, or prosperity gospel churches that don't put forth the true Gospel), but other than those sorts of churches, what would constitute a "good reason" for someone to refuse to go to church on Sunday?
There is something that just sits a little funny about this scenerio:
"Hey let's go ride the roller coaster, and then we can watch Jesus get crucified for our sins and THEN we can hit up the bumper cars! YES!!!"
Seems a bit odd don't you think? Amusement and the Cross don't mix very well. Just my take.
z
"Amusement and the Cross don't mix too well."
Perhaps unwittingly there, Zach, I think you just summed up the failure of too many church youth groups--a lot of amusement, a little Cross. May things be different at DSC, to the glory of God!
uh, to be honest, if I'm correct they don't have bumper cars or roller coasters at the Holy Land Experience. the walk on water experience would be cool however. *grin*
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