Originally Posted By vbdad55 I have only seen clips on it so hard to make a judgement from that, but religion kind of a slippery slope to tackle in a theme park I would think. Many people ( myself included ) feel religion is kind of a private area ( and TDLFAN I would consider myself old school Catholic like your Mom - I still like masses mostly in Latin where you can find them), so I think I could see how she wouldn't like it. There is something about a theme park on religion that would trivialize it all for me... for many others I could see how they would like it. How do you make religion fit all types of guests though ? That has got to be a darned it you do and darned if you don't type of proposition. For those who want to go, and if it somehow fulfills them and helps them be better people, more power, for me I would pass also.
Originally Posted By trailsend mele, vbdad ~ I do understand where you are coming from. Just click on the link to the website in the beginning of this thread provided by davewasbaloo. This is an experience Christians enjoy. It's no different than visiting Williamsburg or some area that takes you back in the time period. Churches have in the past, (can't now due to dangerous situations) taken trips to the Holy Land to Israel. This is a very popular destination trip for Christians. It is very comforting as well as interesting for people to walk where Jesus walked and visit the places they read about in the bible. Maybe the word "park" is misleading. If it's not for you, that is fine. But there is great interest here for others.
Originally Posted By mele <<This is an experience Christians enjoy.>> *Some Christians. (Not picking a fight w/you, trailsend!) So, is this park just for Christians or is it just about life and the different religions in the Holy Land?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Good question mele... I could not make that out when I visited but it's been quite a while... It was more like walking thru images from the Bible..with some exhibits and shows thrown in. Didn't get to see the shows since my catholic mother felt she saw enough and decided to leave. The fact that HOllyland has lasted this long, concidering many thought it would not last, is testament (no pun intended) that there is a market for such activities. Yet, Splendid China bombed.
Originally Posted By trailsend >>>So, is this park just for Christians or is it just about life and the different religions in the Holy Land? <<< Very good questions, mele. Hey, I'm just talking with you, girl, just as if we were sitting in the same room, or, say, at Starbucks and just chillin' out!!! . . "just for Christians" ~ oh, I wouldn't think so . . .I just meant I'm thinking Christians would be more interested in this. I'm not saying "exclusionary", just a matter of being more interested. Hope I'm getting my point across. . . "about life and the different religions in the Holy Land?" I'm thinking it's about the life and time period of when Jesus walked the earth. Personally, for me, I've never been to Israel; never had the time to make a trip like that while my kids were growing up, but I would LOVE to. But I know our church has had to cancel the annual trips due to dangers, of course. So having a place that tried to duplicate the Holy Land and looking at the website, it takes you back in time, would be very interesting to me. It's just that when I'm at WDW, I can't seem to go anywhere else!!!
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I think the idea of a true living museum of 1st Century Judea would be fascinating - something like Sturbridge Village or Plimouth Plantation, for example. I can understand the impulse to want to spread the Good News, but I think having an accurate sense of the context in which Biblical events happened is crucial to understanding them. I just don't know that this place reflects how the world truly was then, or how we like to think it was as citizens of the third millenium. More about the organization that runs the park: <a href="http://www.zionshope.org/about/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.zionshope.org/about /index.htm</a> "The purpose of Zion's Hope is a simple one, yet also bold, direct, and far-reaching. Zion's Hope seeks to graciously proclaim to the Jewish people their need for personal salvation through Jesus the Messiah and to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all men regardless of race, religion, gender, education, or national origin. Accordingly, Zion's Hope seeks to educate the Bible-believing Church concerning the place of Israel in both history and prophecy and assist it in fulfilling its God-given obligation to rightfully include the Jewish people in its program for world evangelism." And some on their history and ongoing mission at <a href="http://www.zionshope.org/history/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.zionshope.org/histo ry/index.htm</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I went to the real Holy Land in 1993, and it was amazing. But what I loved the most was the mix of religious history - paganism with the Romans, Christianity, Judiaism, Islam, and even some ties to Buddaism and other easter religions. All in one very small area. The social scientist in me was thrilled! However, I remember a really bad experience with my cousins at a southern babtist summer camp in Texas when I was 9 years old. Really preachy that Christianity is the only true faith. I'm a little worried that the Holy Land echos more of the protestent teachings. For me, the Holyland would be amazing if it brings a holistic view of Israel to life - all faiths. I fear it is a myopic view of faith. So I am interested to hear reviews.
Originally Posted By Labuda I think that idea of a 1st century Judea museum is an interesting one, BUT it'd have to be well-done, and I don't know there's enough remaining artifcats to have such a museum. "Zion's Hope seeks to graciously proclaim to the Jewish people their need for personal salvation through Jesus the Messiah and to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all men regardless of race, religion, gender, education, or national origin." Yep. That's the "in your face" type stuff that kills me. And I SOOOOOOOOOO don't get Christians who want to convert Jews. Same God, kids! And, hmmmm... I wonder if Jesus at the Holy Land is a blondish-haired white man, or a dark-haired white man...
Originally Posted By alisserae You mean, do the "official" WDW buses go there? No. WDW buses only go to places on WDW property. You would need to take public transportation, rent a car, or use a taxi.
Originally Posted By gmp919399 Ya I didn't think WDW buses would go there .I was just wondering if public transportation would be easily available within WDW property to get us there. Thanks
Originally Posted By Blacksheep Uncle >>And I SOOOOOOOOOO don't get Christians who want to convert Jews. Same God, kids!<< well clearly some people don't understand the difference between Christianity and Judaism (or Islam for that matter, same God there too) ...I don't get why those that clearly don't have a positive outlook on Christianity feel the need to critique a park based on that Christian 'theme'...just like if you don't like country music you'd probably find a lot to dislike at DollyWood...<shrug> anyway someone asked about the park, not how people feel about religion...sorry for the mini-rant
Originally Posted By mele Ew. Dollywood. You know, people give their opinions on just about every single thread on LP. Sometimes it's about popcorn, sometimes it's about Non-Disney Theme Parks. We all have the right to give our opinions, even the non-Christians.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I'd Love to visit Dollywood someday, and I'm NOT a big country music fan. Dolly is an exception though...actually, I guess it's "old school" country that I do like. And what's not to love about Dolly? Anyway...back on topic, LOL!
Originally Posted By TomSawyer >>And what's not to love about Dolly?<< Have you heard her version of Lennon's "Imagine"?
Originally Posted By gmp919399 "We all have the right to give our opinions, even the non-Christians" That's right we all ( even Christians) have our right to give our opinions.That is exactally what I was doing. Giving my opinion to stay on subject. Touche'
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 I found a somewhat balance review of the Holy Land Experience online. It's written by a Christian, but from the article, I don't think this place would appeal to me at all since it seems to be almost crass in it's presentation. <a href="http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_14_119/ai_89580851" target="_blank">http://www.findarticles.com/p/ articles/mi_m1058/is_14_119/ai_89580851</a>
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 ">>And what's not to love about Dolly?<< Have you heard her version of Lennon's "Imagine"?" Well, no, actually I haven't heard that yet, LOL!
Originally Posted By mele <<Giving my opinion to stay on subject. Touche'>> Oh did you? I didn't notice because I wasn't even referring to your post. I must have struck a nerve with you, just like I did in another thread. Lighten up.
Originally Posted By alisserae A review from the Orlando Sentinel of Holy Land. <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/sns-holyland-themepark" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com /travel/sns-holyland-themepark</a>,0,7506976.story
