Christian Theme Park Denied Tax Exemption

ORLANDO, Fla. —  A county tax official has denied a request for a property tax exemption from operators of a Christian theme park, who said they deserved the break as a religious and educational institution.

Park administrators plan to challenge the decision.

The Holy Land Experience, which opened in February, was developed by Zion’s Hope, a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian ministry.

Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan denied an exemption for the park, but granted the tax-exempt status to part of the property where Zion’s Hope’s administrative and education offices are located.

Donegan determined that the park is an attraction and a business.

“It’s not a museum, it’s not a school and it’s not a church,” he said Monday.

Critics accuse the Holy Land Experience of being a front to convert Jews. Rosenthal, a Baptist minister who was born Jewish, calls himself a Hebrew Christian, or someone who considers himself Jewish but believes Jesus is the Messiah. Mainstream Jews do not recognize Hebrew Christians as Jewish.