- Holy Land Experience
The Holy Land Experience is both a themed exhibit (no rides) and a biblical museum located on 15 acres in
Orlando ,Florida . The attraction, which cost 15 million dollars to build, features several exhibits and presentations that revolve around biblical themes. [cite news | url=http://www.southflorida.com/travel/sfl-holyland,0,7964224.story | title=Holyland theme park | publisher=southflorida.com |date= 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-09-17] The employees wear period costumes e.g. Roman soldier and coarse robes.Trinity Broadcasting Network purchased the Holy Land Experience for $37 million in June 2007. [cite news | url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-holyland2107oct21,0,3805392.story?coll=orl-home-utility-sports | title=Scores lose jobs as Holy Land undergoes extreme makeover | publisher=Orlando Sentinel |date= Oct 21, 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-09-17] It had sagging ticket sales and an estimated $8 million debt. TBN plans to upgrade the facility by adding additional attractions and a television studio for its recently purchased Orlando TV-52 television channel. The Holy Land's local administrative departments will be phased out to TBN's California headquarters when possible.Holy Land Experience President and boardmember, Tom Powell, resigned his position on August 21, 2007 to seek out "new challenges." Four people remain on the park's board: Paul Crouch Sr.,
Jan Crouch , Paul Crouch Jr., and Matthew Crouch. Paul Crouch Jr. was named the park's new president in early August. [http://newsinitiative.org/story/2007/08/28/holy_land_experience_chief_resigns Holy Land Experience chief resigns 10 weeks into TBN takeover - Carnegie Knight Foundation]Nearly 100 employees lost their jobs when they were cut from the payroll in October 2007. [cite news | url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-holyland2107oct21,0,3805392.story?coll=orl-home-utility-sports | title=Scores lose jobs as Holy Land undergoes extreme makeover | publisher=
Orlando Sentinel |date= Oct 21, 2007 | first= | last= | accessdate =2007-09-17]Exhibits
*
Dead Sea Scrolls caves
*Herod's Temple
*Jerusalem street market
*Scriptorium - claimed to hold the world's largest collection of rare and sacred Biblical artifacts; owned by the family trust ofRobert Van Kampen
*Jerusalem Model A.D. 66 - In the Zion's Hope building contains the largest indoor model of Jerusalem in the world. Measuring 25 by 49 feet, this piece was originally created by Dr. Gary G. Cohen, of south Florida, and was slightly modified in order to fit the message of the park.
*Tomb of JesusControversy
Holy Land was funded and built by
Zion's Hope , which led to controversy and protest on its opening day. The founder, ReverendMarvin Rosenthal , a Baptist minister who was born Jewish, was criticized by local Jewish groups who claimed the real purpose of the park was to convert Jewish people to Christianity. Reverend Rosenthal denied that claim and stated the criticism came from those who have not actually visited the attraction.Also, several Mormon missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints frequent the area due to high Christian attendance and approach visitors and neighbors in an attempt to convert them to Mormonism; often by asking personal questions and handing out printed materials.
References
External links
* [http://www.holylandexperience.com Official Website]
* [http://www.cephasministry.com/israel_holy_land_experience.html Holy Land Experience] background and building of
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