A group of atheists in Kentucky is planning to launch a billboard campaign to oppose a replica of Noah’s Ark that costs at least $92 million and is expected to open in July. The Tri-State Freethinkers have raised over $3,000 to install its billboards titled, “Genocide and Incest Park – Celebrating 2,000 Years of Myths” and portraying people drowning around an ark.
“The campaign is meant to argue that it’s a genocide park that celebrates the destruction of humankind –minus whoever was on the ark– including repopulation through nefarious means,” said spokesperson Tony Arnold.
The Ark Encounter, which depicts a 510-foot wooden ship as detailed in the Old Testament, is being constructed at Grant County. Apart from an enormous ark, the park would also house a petting zoo, gift shop, theatre, cafes as well as a 4,000-space parking lot. Ironically, the park is located only 45 miles south of the Creation Museum, which offers a literal interpretation of the Genesis, arguing that the Earth was formed only 6,000 years ago and dinosaurs and humans existed at the same time.
Last month, Answers In Genesis president, Ken Ham, said that the Tri-State Freethinkers’ billboard campaign was attacking Christianity in an obnoxious manner.
“We appreciate the fact that they are paying for the billboard to now bring more publicity to the Ark Encounter,” he said. “Millions will visit the Ark Encounter.”
Tri-State Freethinkers fight for equal rights and the separation of church and state. The 1,300 individuals from across Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana that associate themselves with the group conceived their idea after seeing promotional billboards for the religious theme park.
Immediately launching a fundraiser, they managed to accumulate over $3,000 in less than 24 hours.
Arnold explained that those who donated $500 could also have their faces featured on the billboards as one of the many people drowning around the ark.
On its fundraising website, Tri-State Freethinkers wrote, “The Ark Encounter is a water park based on a representation of Noah’s Ark. They are receiving state tax incentives while maintaining their discriminatory hiring practices … While they have a legal right to celebrate their mythology, we find it immoral and highly inappropriate as family entertainment.
Help us remind the surrounding community and potential patrons that the biblical story of Noah’s Ark is immoral and should not be encouraged as a family fun day.”
Other advocacy groups like Americans United for Separation of Church and State have also protested Answers In Genesis’ hiring process that reportedly bases its final decision on a potential employee’s religious preference.
Photo Credits: Patheos Blog
