New Holy Land Park Stirs Controversy

February 2, 2001

Source: USA TODAY

On February 2, 2001, USA TODAY reported on the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida, which claims to "transport" visitors to the ancient Middle East. Its 15 acres include a replica of the temple of King Herod, a cement copy of the Qumran Caves, where ancient Jews stashed the Dead Sea Scrolls, a palm-tree grove mimicking the Via Dolorosa, the path to Jesus' crucifixion, a Jerusalem City Gate, and "Calvary's Garden Tomb, where [people dressed as ancient Israelites] celebrate the resurrection of Christ." Costumed dramatists tell Old and New Testament stories. The Holy Land was built by Zion's Hope, a non-denominational evangelical ministry. Some call it sacrilege. "Others call it offensive, if not insidious. Still others call it the fastest way to the Promised Land...'There's a sense we're going where nobody's gone before,' says Marvin Rosenthal, president of Zion's Hope...Rosenthal is one of the country's 250,000 Hebrew Christians, also known as Messianic Jews -- Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah -- and his version of Holy Land reflects that...At the park, Jewish and Christian traditions blend...For many critics, this theological brew is more alarming than the fact that it costs money to witness it." Rosenthal insists he is "'presenting non-controversial biblical Christian truths.' He addresses concerns about paying admission to pray by saying that all profits go to Zion's Hope. Others point out that the Holy Land is safer than a trip to Jerusalem. "Known for designing parks for Disney and Universal, ITEC [Entertainment, which designed the Holy Land,] has also been approached by Hindus and Buddhists interested in telling their faith stories through similar, three-dimensional means."