The Holy Land Experience

While surfing about on the Internet for interesting things to write about, I came across what has to be the strangest themed amusement park I have ever seen in my life.  It’s called The Holy Land Experience (not to be confused with the defunct Holy Land USA in Connecticut) and no, it’s not a casino in Las Vegas.  It’s an Orlando, Florida amusement park that attempts to recreate the look and feel of Biblical Jerusalem, complete with Jesus-and God-themed attractions and presentations.

First put together in 2001 by a Baptist minister who wanted to spread the entertainment value of Jesus, it has since been bought up by those great gurus of television evangelism, the Trinity Broadcasting Network.  Being has how TBN is filthy rich, you can imagine that they've added more than their fair share of improvements to the park.  It now features more than three dozen attractions, from recreations of holy sites to a presentation that depicts the marching of Jesus through the streets and his subsequent crucifixion.

So what kinds of fun and exciting things are there for you and the kids to see?  Well, there are educational exhibits, such as The Scriptorium, a museum filled with the fourth largest collection of Biblical artifacts, from old scrolls to hundreds of years old editions of the Bible. 

For the kids, there’s The Smile of a ChildAdventureLand, though the activities are slightly less Biblical, featuring distractions such as a rock climbing wall, toy stores and a crafts center.  If you’re inclined to feel more religious, you can attend a bible reading or even church services while at the park.  And, of course, the Church of All Nations auditorium puts on reenactments of the crucifixion, complete with Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.  Add to those all the standard amusement park activities, such as places to buy over-priced trinkets and food and venues for musical performances and theatrical events, and you have the full run.

I have to say, this is perhaps the most bizarre things I’ve ever heard of, though I guess it was only a matter of time before a major religion got turned into a tourist attraction.  As tacky as it may sound, it is here and, if you’re so inclined and happen to be in Orlando, it might be worth a look, if only for novelty’s sake.  Best to check it out soon though, before the prophesized ArmageddonLand threatens to destroy it.

Bloody Jesus photo courtesy of David Joyce via Wikicommons

Crucifixion photo courtesy of Ras67 via Wikicommons