The Noah’s Ark theme park slated for opening of 2016 in Williamston, Kentucky could lose state tax incentives because of concerns of religious discrimination in hiring.
In a related report by The Inquisitr , the story of Noah’s Ark has been criticized by some, but a recent study from Leicester University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy in England has declared it’s not only a good story — they even say science proves the Bible true .
The developer of the Noah’s Ark-based theme park said Wednesday he would fight for his religious rights after state officials warned he could lose millions in potential tax rebates if he hires only people who believe in the Biblical flood.
“The Commonwealth doesn’t believe that Ark Encounter, LLC will be complying with state and Federal law in its hiring practices,” Bob Stewart, secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, said in an August 27 letter to an Ark Encounter attorney.
Stewart wrote that “serious concerns” were raised by a job posting for an Ark Encounter position that required applicants to provide salvation testimony, a creationist belief statement, and agreement with the “Statement of Faith” of Ark Encounter’s parent organization, Answers in Genesis.
“Therefore, we are not prepared to move forward with consideration of the application for final approval without the assurance of Ark Encounter, LLC that it will not discriminate in any way on the basis of religion in hiring,” Stewart wrote.
The park attorney has responded that the job posting referred to was for Answers in Genesis and not for the park.
Mike Zovath, a co-founder of Answers in Genesis and executive director of Ark Encounter, said the matter is still under discussion with cabinet officials.
“We’re still in the negotiation with the state, saying why are you requiring us to do something you don’t require other applicants to do? And why are you requiring us to give up our religious freedom and our religious rights to comply with an additional requirement that isn’t in the state Tourism Act?”
In July, the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority gave preliminary approval for the project — the first of two steps allowing the park to participate in a program that would let it keep 25 percent of the sales tax the tourist attraction would collect for 10 years. In this case, these tax rebates would be as much as $18.25 million, according to The Courier-Journal .
Plans for the $73-million first phase of the park include a wooden replica of the ark and other biblical-themed attractions will be added in phases. The project has been financed through donations and bonds but Zovath said the state’s incentives could help finance future phases, according to Raw Story . Also, this is not the first time the Kentucky based Noah’s Ark theme park was criticized for receiving a government tax rebate.
What do you think of Kentucky’s decision?
