Plans for Holy Land theme park on Galilee shore {edit}

[Englander]

Plans for Holy Land theme park on Galilee shore where Jesus fed the 5,000

· Evangelical groups and Israel on brink of deal
· Some Israelis fear motives of US Christian right

Conal Urquhart in Tel Aviv
Wednesday January 4, 2006
The Guardian

The Israeli government is planning to give up a large slice of land to American Christian evangelicals to build a biblical theme park by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus is said to have walked on water and fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.

A consortium of Christian groups, led by the television evangelist Pat Robertson, is in negotiation with the Israeli ministry of tourism and a deal is expected in the coming months. The project is expected to bring up to 1 million extra tourists a year but an undeclared benefit will be the cementing of a political alliance between the Israeli rightwing and the American Christian right.

However, the alliance has not been welcomed by all Israelis, including some who fear the ultimate aim of the evangelicals is the conversion of the Jews to Christianity rather than support for Israel.

Jonathan Pulik, a spokesman for the Israeli ministry of tourism, said the Christian market was very important for Israel's tourism industry. "We would like to give them more of a reason to come here. We would be willing to lease the land to them free of charge and they would finance the construction."

More at;
Guardian Unlimited

[fasttense]

1. That is where Jesus gave the sermon on the mount.

"north-east of the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and Capernaum which was described as the town of Jesus in the Bible. It would feature a garden and nature park, an auditorium, a Holy Land exhibition, outdoor amphitheaters, information centre and a media studio.
The ministry of tourism estimates the total cost would be $48m (£28m)."

How sad, to turn such a devout and spiritual moment in the history of man into an exhibition and theme park. I wonder if they plan to feed the hungry? Somehow I seriously doubt it. Are they going to call it "Jesus Land?"

Let's make tons of money and the rich richer out of Christianity. Just like Jesus would have wanted.

[Gman]

2. Fact is they have every intention of converting Jews to Christianity

they think they have to before the rapture. If the Jews don't convert then the fundies have to kill the Jews. Why don't the Jews realize this?

[eyl]

4. What makes you think we don't realize this?

But as I understand the theology, we're slated to die during the Rapture. As someone (whos identity escapes my recall at the moment) put it - if they're wrong, no harm done. If they turn out to be right - we'll have bigger worries.

:)

[Wordie]

5. Don't you see that the more this stuff is encouraged, the sooner one of

these guys is gonna get the bright idea to make it happen? Bring on armageddon - just help the inevitable along a bit - so that the rapture will come?

It's a mistake to encourage this stuff, as well as to favor one Christian denomination in the Holy Land over others, imho. Israel is saying "no harm done" but they ought to more clearly think through the implications. Or is it all those Israeli settlers that these groups fund, that makes those in Israel close their eyes?

[eyl]

6. I'm not doing the encouragement

I just don't view it as very significant, one way or another.

And where did you get the "favoring one Christian denomination" part?

[Gman]

7. As Catholics,

we don't believe in the Rapture. I find the fundies' fanaticism about the Rapture strange but amusing.

[soothsayer]

3. Hey, Jericho's got a casino, so why not?

Jeez o pete.