Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

unhappycamper

(60,364 posts)
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 06:14 AM Oct 2014

Kentucky warns Noah’s Ark-based amusement park over hiring practices

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/10/kentucky-warns-noahs-ark-based-amusement-park-over-hiring-practices/

Kentucky warns Noah’s Ark-based amusement park over hiring practices
Reuters
08 Oct 2014

The developer of a Noah’s Ark-based theme park in Kentucky said on Wednesday he would fight for his religious rights after state officials warned he could lose millions in potential tax credits if he hires only people who believe in the biblical flood.

Ark Encounter, which is slated to open in 2016 in Williamston, Kentucky, is not hiring anyone yet, but its parent company Answers in Genesis asks employees to sign a faith statement including a belief in creationism and the flood.

State officials and Ark Encounter lawyers have exchanged letters in which the state threatened not to proceed with tax incentives for the park if there was discriminatory hiring practices, a state official confirmed on Wednesday.

The letters between the parties came to light after the Louisville Courier-Journal and the Lexington Herald-Leader obtained them through open records requests.
14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Kentucky warns Noah’s Ark-based amusement park over hiring practices (Original Post) unhappycamper Oct 2014 OP
Religious rights now trump laws? DetlefK Oct 2014 #1
I can fully understand Ark Encounter's concerns. Feral Child Oct 2014 #2
Its another business set-up for future riches payout when it closes. another scam for taxpayer money Sunlei Oct 2014 #11
Agree most fully, Sunlei. Feral Child Oct 2014 #13
Tax incentives A Little Weird Oct 2014 #3
An amusement park gets tax subsidies now? yeoman6987 Oct 2014 #5
we should all start religious charities for the tax free life! Sunlei Oct 2014 #7
I know right yeoman6987 Oct 2014 #8
Better than merely tax free. Ask L.Ron Hubbard. Nitram Oct 2014 #10
If I wanted a job bad enough I'd sign their stupid "faith statement" tularetom Oct 2014 #4
you can NOT get 'free gov money' (state and federal) for your 'charity if you discriminate in hiring Sunlei Oct 2014 #6
hobby lobby mercuryblues Oct 2014 #9
Ding! Ding! Ding! theHandpuppet Oct 2014 #14
Isn't this the state government funded ark... Historic NY Oct 2014 #12

DetlefK

(16,459 posts)
1. Religious rights now trump laws?
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 06:38 AM
Oct 2014

Just FYI: I have a religious right to all the money you have in your pocket.

Feral Child

(2,086 posts)
2. I can fully understand Ark Encounter's concerns.
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 06:52 AM
Oct 2014

When you're peddling crap you must have fellow zealots surrounding you.

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
11. Its another business set-up for future riches payout when it closes. another scam for taxpayer money
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 08:08 AM
Oct 2014

Like Kentucky the state can even afford more scammer leech charities in the first place!

 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
5. An amusement park gets tax subsidies now?
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 07:19 AM
Oct 2014

Goodness! I do believe creationism, but I don't think they should get any tax breaks at all. As for believers only being hired? Silly! Does everyone in Disney World believe that Cinderella was given a shoe from a studly prince and then lived happily ever after? No! And yet they manage to do do their jobs.

Nitram

(24,614 posts)
10. Better than merely tax free. Ask L.Ron Hubbard.
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 08:06 AM
Oct 2014

Hubbard has been quoted as telling a science fiction convention in 1948: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion."[135]

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
4. If I wanted a job bad enough I'd sign their stupid "faith statement"
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 07:15 AM
Oct 2014

And I'm pretty sure at least some of their prospective employees will feel the same way.

Eventually there would be litigation over this no matter what the state did.

Sunlei

(22,651 posts)
6. you can NOT get 'free gov money' (state and federal) for your 'charity if you discriminate in hiring
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 07:46 AM
Oct 2014

This charity hasn't even opened their doors and they have lawyers all lined up to help them take taxpayer money.

I don't mind churches passing the basket and using their money for anything they wish.

Tax free should be enough for them!

mercuryblues

(15,124 posts)
9. hobby lobby
Thu Oct 9, 2014, 08:06 AM
Oct 2014

hiring someone outside their belief system would create undo burden on them.

Glad it was such a "narrow ruling"

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Kentucky»Kentucky warns Noah’s Ark...