This month, the second coming of Noah’s Ark officially opened to the public. It is conveniently located in Williamstown, Kentucky, 45 minutes south of the Creation Museum.
The Ark is the first phase of a vast tourist attraction, “Ark Encounter.” The centerpiece of the park is a 510-foot replica of Noah’s Ark, a literal interpretation of the one described in the Bible. The 100 million dollar structure was built by the Answers in Genesis ministry, headed by Ken Ham, who also built the Creation Museum.
The Ark was built from “private” donations, junk bonds, and an $18 million tax break by the state of Kentucky. The parcel that The Ark sits on was purchased by Ham from the city for $99. According to Newsweek, Williamstown declared the ark site and the surrounding 1.25 miles a tax increment financing (TIF) district. A TIF is a special form of development elegible for tax incentives, originally established for development of “blighted” areas (LBL can find no evidence that Williamstown is a blighted area). As such, 75 percent of sales and real estate taxes generated within the area will go back to fund Ark Encounter. Ark workers must also pay an employment tax that goes directly back to the Ark coffers.
Unlike the neoArk, the actual Ark was built entirely by Noah and his family and friends, without the help of either monetary donations nor Mesopotamian tax breaks of any kind. Noah, focused entirely on the task at hand, neglected to employ the services of some pretty high-powered attorneys to advise him about how to receive optimal financial gain from the endeavor.
The Ark has been accused of being discriminatory in two main areas:
People
The Ark does not hire gay people to work there. According to Ham, Answers in Genesis applicants must sign a sign a statement saying they are Christian and profess Christ as their savior. Ham did not address the issue of people who are in the question as to their sexuality.
Everything Else
The Ark, finite in size, has been accused of not being able to house every single species of animal/etc that actually exists on the planet. Ham has responded that, contrary to what scientists believe, there aren’t millions of species. The original Ark was relatively small and all life was onboard, so that proves that there are only enough species to fit inside.
Life in the Boomer Lane also wonders of Ham has addressed the tiny animal issue. Some species are so small (fleas, gnats, and those things that swarm around your face and try to get up your nose) that Noah would have had a tough time making tiny little cages for them, building materials being fairly crude at the time.
Ham predicts that up to two million people will visit Ark Park each year, roughly equivalent to the number of fast food emporiums that are sure to spring up in the area. It is not clear whether gay people will be excluded from working at any of these.
It doesn’t take a brilliant mind to see where this might all be headed. Ham is sitting on a potential goldmine, thanks to the state of Kentucky. There could be another museum/theme park devoted to the birth and the crucifixion. A huge part of biblical Bethlehem could be created in Kentucky (within easy drive of The Creation Museum and Ark Park), with special emphasis, of course, on the manger. And the site of the crucifixion would provide an even bigger draw. Both sites would have what the originals did not: MacDonald’s, toilet facilities and souvenir shops.
It’s a win-win. The faithful get to experience up close and personal what, until now, they could have only fantasized about from reading their bibles. It’s a biblical take on the Las Vegas model of reality. Ham gets to become a mogul in the process, leaving televangelists in the dust by creating a new, evermore lucrative way to serve the faithful.
The only loser is the gay population, especially those who consider themselves Christians. They are not only excluded from employment at Ark Park (and at the Creation Museum), but they must deal with the fact that, while many followers of their religion have an interpretation of the bible which welcomes dinosaurs, it does not do so with them.
Life in the Boomer Lane 
Taswegian1957
July 13, 2016
I don’t profess to be any kind of Christian but if Jesus didn’t like money changers in the temple why would he approve of this? Don’t even get me started on the discrimination part.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 14, 2016
What Jesus liked or didn’t like is obviously a very fluid situation. Jesus, himself, would probably be mystified about what people believe he thought or did.
gliderpilotlee
July 13, 2016
Thank you, thank you very much! Looks like a profitable business venture. Hmmh, I think the money changers were chased out of somewhere? As with most Bible stories – an idiot wrote that, like – did he leave room for the 500 extra goats just to feed the Lions. Not enough room is the gist. Then do a present day experiment (btw if you post your result you will be put in prison) Inbreed cats three to ten times just to see how they start missing paws and legs when they are born..
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 14, 2016
Ugh, I forgot all about the inbreeding factor. I suppose that would also apply to Noah and his family. Is that why the world is in such dire straits now?
Rebecca Latson Photography
July 13, 2016
Ditto Taswegian1957. I got all worked up and indignantly righteous just reading this. I suppose this Ham guy figures he’s just giving Rome it’s due? Or is it Caesar his due? I can’t remember. I don’t read the bible much, myself. And I’m fine with that. And I can’t wait until I retire and move the hell out of the South.
Kate Crimmins
July 13, 2016
biblical take on the Las Vegas model of reality — doesn’t that say it all? I wonder if Noah had to work with the construction unions. Also, the fish….did he take fish on board or leave them in the ocean hoping they would survive. I sure wish he wouldn’t have taken the mosquitoes.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 14, 2016
The fish is another conundrum, for sure. Actually, the more one thinks about this whole endeavor, the creepier it gets.
gliderpilotlee
July 14, 2016
Chuckle- only a few fish have the ability to transition to fresh water. Just a quick estimate – just to cover a small hill in Kansas it would need to rain 37 inches a day for 40 days – the entire world over. and where is the world wide record of that rainfall on the north and south pole. The gist: that much fresh water would dilute the ocean and — yeah I think you all get it.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 15, 2016
It’s all about faith, Lee. You obviously have a lack there.
gliderpilotlee
July 16, 2016
Oh yeah, I have faith. Faith that all that water ran off the edge of the Earth when it was flat. Actually, we should all appreciate this present day Arc builder for the lack of science a small wooden boat can possibly contain. The intelligent youth of the world that visit will notice and ask intelligent questions. Why – then, what if – then, who scooped the manure – then, where did they get the bamboo shoots because some animals and insects only eat bamboo. Of course we all smile when we begin to question–
allthoughtswork
July 13, 2016
I used to get all indignant when foreigners laughed at the United States. Now, I get the joke.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 14, 2016
We are providing a lot of entertainment to the world, for sure.
hmunro
July 13, 2016
If the Ark is just the first phase of a vast tourist attraction, “Ark Encounter,” what’s the second phase? Is that the part where everyone outside the Ark drowns? (Remind me please to stick a snorkel in my purse.)
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 14, 2016
Alas, a snorkel won’t help. I, personally, much prefer the belief that all the righteous will rise up to heaven, leaving their shoes behind. I love cute shoes, and I will be wallowing in all the cast offs.
hmunro
July 14, 2016
HAHAHAAA! I wish you could hear the snort-like sound you just elicited, LBL. You are *literally* laugh-out-loud hilarious.
John
July 13, 2016
Hopefully, our gay friends will not feel completely left out. Their money will be gladly accepted at the Ark gangplank.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 14, 2016
You know it.
Keith
July 13, 2016
Tax money cannot support discriminatory hiring practices. It does not get any more basic than that. I see a lawsuit this development cannot win.
Keith
July 14, 2016
Renee, even as a Christian, I have always had a problem with the Noah story. Too much doesn’t make any sense, so like with many examples in the bible, I viewed it more as a story than fact. I read a Pew Survey that found only 45% of Christians at the time of the survey believe every word in the bible as true.
But, what do I know. I try to live by the most important words under the guidance of the Golden Rule. Sorry for the digression. Peace be with you, Keith
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 14, 2016
Answers in Genesis won the court case because they said, as a church, they had the right to discriminate. But the question is, if they are a church, why are they being supported by the state of Kentucky? They have managed to take advantage of both sides.
Keith
July 14, 2016
Agreed. We have to many who want it both ways.
Ellyn
July 13, 2016
This is so disgusting, but on the bright side, it is a testament (no pun intended) to the growing acceptance and support for the LGBT movement that has the “phobic” gasping for air with something this ridiculous.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 15, 2016
That’s a good observation, Ellyn.
Andrew Reynolds
July 14, 2016
Hum, well, living in California with family in Reno and knowing a few people who’ve attended ‘Burning Man’ I can just see versions of this showing up on the black rock desert – mostly gay themed and few to be set on fire.
Life in the Boomer Lane
July 15, 2016
I’ve heard of Burning Man but don’t know anything about it. Will do my reasearch now. Hopefully, the Answers in Genesis church won’t start a Burning Man event, next.