Hopefully, everyone has had the opportunity to visit Disney World, Six Flags or any of the other obnoxious (but still lovable) theme parks in the world. Now, there’s one more park to add to this illustrious list: a Bible theme park in Murfreesboro.
No, you did not misread that last sentence. Currently, the Rutherford County Planning Department is analyzing plans for the $175 million Bible Park USA, which developers claim could attract over 1 million visitors a year.
Arguments in favor of the park’s creation based their opinions on obvious facts. The park will undoubtedly create new jobs and bring in revenue to Murfreesboro. Those reasons are just common sense: The creation of a new business always produces new employment opportunities and money.
Of course, these benefits do not overshadow the drawback to the proposed theme park. A religion-based theme park merely reinforces negative Tennessee stereotypes. Other Americans often see Tennessee (along with the rest of the South) as a backward state filled with religious fanatics who don’t do anything but go to church and read the Bible. Without a doubt, Bible Park USA will give people even more reasons to believe Southerners only care about Christian traditions.
I’m not trying to bash Christianity, and I don’t think it’s horrible religion plays such an enormous role in the lives of many Southerners. However, look at the situation from another perspective. Pretend you are a non-Christian living in Murfreesboro. How would you feel if Bible Park USA sprang up in your backyard? I know I would feel really uncomfortable living near a theme park whose main purpose is to advertise a religion I don’t follow.
True, living near a religion-based theme park that endorses Christianity would be similar to living near a church, but it’s unreasonable to want your community to be religion-free. Freedom of religion is a fundamental American value, and people can build as many places of worship as they want, regardless of how awkward it makes people of other religions feel.
However, a Christian theme park does not have the same right to exist a church does. Secular theme parks are annoying enough; a religiously affiliated theme park will undoubtedly cause unnecessary tension among different religions. Then again, perhaps it’s about time a healthy debate about religion takes place.
In addition to the fact the idea of Bible Park USA is a little creepy, the theme park might actually trivialize the Christian religion. Religion is not a commercial endeavor; it is a spiritual journey. The building of Bible Park USA will turn Christianity into a commercial phenomenon — kind of like Christmas.
Obviously, a Christian theme park will be a big hit with the parents of small children and youth groups. Theoretically, the theme park will make Christianity more accessible to the general public and could attract new believers.
Bible Park USA seems like an excellent business endeavor for those who like to exploit religion for a profit. However, for people who wish to preserve their religion’s sanctity and for those individuals who follow other religions, a Christian theme park is not particularly appealing.
