The Creation Museum in northern Kentucky announced
it has enough funding in place to build a
510-foot replica of Noah's Ark as part of
a creationist theme park.
"The founder of the Creation Museum, who is
behind the project, says a recent debate with
Bill Nye 'The Science Guy' over evolution
has encouraged investors to give money."
(Via WKYT)
Nye and Creation Museum founder Ken Ham debated
the topic of evolution in early February at
Ham's home turf.
(via YouTube / Answers in Genesis)
"As a Christian, I would ask Bill the question:
What would change your mind?"
Ham asked.
"We would need evidence that the universe
is not expanding, we would need evidence that
the stars appear to be far away, but they're
not," Nye said.
(via MSNBC)
The Courier-Journal reports the debate spurred
an increase in donations for the $120 million-plus
theme park, enough to make the Ark Encounter
theme park a reality.
According to plans on the project's website,
the Noah's Ark replica will cost $24.5 million
and its all-wood construction will be based
off the description found in the Bible.
(Via Ark Encounter)
And according to details from the Bible, that
means the new Ark project could be made of
lower, middle and upper decks.
The wood type described in the passages is
cypress.
(Via BibleGateway.com)
Nye wasn't too pleased when he heard the news,
though.
"Now Nye said he was disappointed the project
would go forward and hopes that 'it goes out
of business.'"
(Via WXIX)
According to its website, the "Ark Encounter"
theme park has already raised $14 million
and is expected to open in Williamstown, Ky.,
in 2016.
