Answers in Genesis, the organization behind the infamous Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, plans to open a Noah's Ark theme park. Ark Encounter, scheduled to open in Williamstown, Kentucky in summer 2016, will include a full-scale replica of Noah's ark as described in Genesis 6. However, when an Ark Encounter job posting required applicants to provide a "salvation testimony" and affirm a statement of faith, Americans United for Separation of Church and State urged Kentucky's Tourism Development Finance Authority to deny state tax subsidies to the project.
The Tourism Authority agreed. Earlier this week, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported that the theme part planned will not receive roughly $18 million in state tax incentives. Ark Encounter was denied the tax incentives over concerns that awarding such incentives would violate church-state separation, the article explains. Americans United applauded the decision.
According to the Washington Post, Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet sent a letter to Answers in Genesis arguing that the Noah's Ark park resembled a ministry rather than a tourist attraction, and that its hiring practices failed to meet state requirements for tax incentives.
Answers in Genesis may challenge the decision in court, according to the Associated Press. In a video statement, Answers in Genesis CEO Ken Ham offered his side of the issue, urging Christian groups to take note of Kentucky's decision. (Hat tip to Friendly Atheist.)
"This employment issue is a matter of great importance not only to AIG, but to every Christian organization, to every church that doesn't want to give in to demands from the government to hire non-Christians. In fact, every religious organization should be worried at what the state of Kentucky is trying to do."What is so confusing about this? Answers in Genesis is a religious ministry. Ark Encounter promotes religion -- in this case, a literal interpretation of the Great Flood story -- and hires only employees who embrace a particular interpretation of Christianity. If Kentucky were to offer tax incentives to Ark Encounter, it would raise problems for church-state separation. Whether Answers in Genesis takes this decision lying down remains to be seen.
To read additional commentary, visit the following links.
Think Progress: Noah’s Ark Loses $18 Million In Tax Breaks
Danthropology: Ken Ham continues to lie about the Ark Encounters employment discrimination
Americans United for Separation of Church and State: Ky. Officials Reject ‘Ark Park’s’ Request For $18 Million Tax Rebate
Kudos to the Kentucky tourism authority for following the Constitution on this.
ReplyDeleteWhether Answers in Genesis takes this decision lying down remains to be seen.
"Take it lying down" may not be quite the right metaphor. "Sink like an imaginary ship holed below the waterline" might be more apt. I doubt the project is financially viable without the subsidies.
Infidel -- Answers in Genesis needs to understand that tax incentives are only available to groups that respect the rules. I don't know enough about AIG's finances to know if the Ark park will be financially viable without tax incentives, but still, this must be a financial blow to them.
DeleteIt's so refreshing when the correct decision is made in a situation like this. Ham's confused reaction is just baffling! Not surprising, but baffling.
ReplyDeleteMichelle -- I was relieved when Kentucky made the smart decision. Ham is probably confused because the Religious Right is so used to getting its way all the time.
DeleteDarn, according to Ham they will still build the ark. Honestly, I am not sure how AIG think they can get away with requiring that people working there should sign faith statements. I mean the pdf linked pretty much blows any case they try make (as he did) wide open.
ReplyDeleteChristian -- Well, statements of faith aren't unheard of when private Christian institutions hire employees, but it's a different story when one is asking for state tax incentives. Ham can't have it both ways.
DeleteYeh, that's the thing. They are really going beyond the normally allowed nonsense. Incentives, for a tourist park sure, but then you can't ask for statements of faith. There is a serious gap in these brains.
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