ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Florida judge has ruled in favor of a Christian theme park seeking an exemption from property taxes.This type of nonsense makes me angry. The wacky Christian cults like this are always saying Equal Opportunity is giving "special rights" to people. Well, this is a "special right" if I've ever seen one. They need to be paying taxes like everyone else. It is one thing to worship. It is another thing to use abuse your church status. I would argue that it is barely even a church; rather, it is a cult focused on attacking the Jewish faith.
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. Associated Press
The website is well designed.
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