DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Creationists Sell Christian Theme Park To Themselves To Avoid $700,000 In Taxes

https://www.yahoo.com/news/creationists-sell-christian-theme-park-201031758.html

The group that owns the theme park Ark Encounters have sold the park to their nonprofit affiliates for 10 dollars to avoid paying taxes, according to a report Monday by the Lexington Herald-Leader. The Christian theme park in Williamstown, Kentucky is owned by creationist Ken Ham and features a life-sized recreation of Noah's Ark.
Ark Encounter LLC sold the park's land on June 28 to its nonprofit affiliate, Crosswater Canyon, for ten dollars, just a day before the city sent a letter rejecting the organization's request to be exempted from a new safety tax because of its religious affiliation.

By selling the land to its nonprofit counterpart, the group has claimed that the park is a non-profit establishment and not subject to the new safety tax passed by city officials. The safety tax, if implemented by the city, would collect 50 cents of every entry ticket sold on $40 adult tickets and $28 children's tickets.
The theme park pulls in an estimated 1.4 million visitors a year, which, when the safety tax was imposed, means the company would owe the city of Williamstown approximately $700,000.
READ: Controversial Noah's Ark Theme Park Slated To Open July 2016
Ark Encounter has, up to this point, identified themselves legally as a for-profit business in order to receive a number of tax incentives from the city. When city officials voted to impose the 50-cent safety tax, the theme-park argued that the property should be exempt because they run a non-profit ministry.
The property is worth $48 million, according to the Grant County property valuation, although the deed said that the property is only worth only $18.5 million, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.
The amusement park is owned by the infamous creationist, Ken Ham, who owns both Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. Ham's organization sold the land one day before Williamstown city attorney, Jeffrey Shipp, sent a letter to the organization rejecting its request to be exempted from a new safety tax.
READ: Who Is Jerry Falwell Jr? As Trump Picks Cabinet, Creationist Liberty University President Involved In Education Decisions
Williamstown City Councilman Kim Crupper told the Herald-Leader that the taxes the city's council approved in April were necessary because repairs are needed to upgrade the city’s emergency services that cover the park, which include the police and fire department
"This ordinance was carefully thought out, this does not affect their bottom line," Crupper told the Herald-Leader. "We have to make sure your police and fire and emergency services can assure safety. If you’re going to pay $40 for a ticket and $10 to park, I don’t think you’re going to argue over 50 cents."
Melany Ethridge, the spokeswoman for Ark Encounter, said in a statement to the Herald-Leader that the amusement park looks to work with city officials to find a "fair" solution regarding the safety tax.
"The Ark Encounter seeks to pay its fair share when it comes to a safety fee assessment recently instituted by the city of Williamstown," Ethridge said. "The Ark Encounter has conveyed that sincere sentiment to Williamstown's leadership and will continue to work with city officials to find a fair and equitable solution regarding contributions to the safety fund."

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Cheating the tax code is obviously the Christian thing to do.

Ken Hamm exists as a dangerous individual to science education in our country.

Damn religious people get treated better that Atheist! What's so special about Christians that they get to have tax exempt tax havens? Disgusting.

jk really I could care less.

How creative of them! Haha get it! Actually the only cool thing about this is that it gave me the idea for that line right there.

They may be a 'religious' organization, but I don't think their work would be considered charitable in a way that allows your corner church to be tax exempt.

Awesome. He funds his 'religious' museum with public money by claiming it's a business. Then claims it's a non profit when the public comes back for a return on their dollar.
Very Christ-like.

It is either legal or illegal.

What you think means nothing.

What happened to render unto Cesar?

Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should.

You're showing some great Christian colors today.

We have tax laws that tell us what is Caesar's and what is ours.

It is either legal to do what they did or it is illegal.

What you think means nothing.

I think it is easier for a poor man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

So in your eyes - everything anyone every does or says ... morals and scruples and charity, right and wrong - none of that counts. It simply boils down to whether it's legal or not. A man dying from dehydration on your front doorstep and asking for a drink... refusing him is okay because that wouldn't be specifically illegal.

And from what some have indicated you call yourself a Christian? If so - You'll have to let me know which part of the bible or gospel teaches that.

Ya know 40, when John Kerry purchased his 7 million dollar yacht and docked it in Rhode Island instead of Boston Harbor to avoid $500,000 in taxes, I don't remember Yahoo News making a big deal out of it? Is it because he's a democrat catholic?

You shouldn't quote things you really don't understand. Rendering Unto Caesar was talking about paying tribute to an occupying force. Really doesn't apply here.

Care to share the rest of that, along with the interpretation?

If Rhode Island had given him tax breaks so he could buy the boat, then he docked it in Boston, I'm sure there would have been something said by the Rhode Island tax payers.

This is a good point.

The thirsty man comparison doesn't work here. You're comparing being a charitable christian with paying taxes.

While I think it was rather sneaky that the Ark people did what they did, I have to wonder why this 'safety tax' just appeared.

But .50c out of a $40 ticket isn't that damn bad a deal.

Wow, give you and inch and you will take it a mile.

Answer...No.

The fact of that matter is that Kerry used the laws on the books to skip out on paying taxes.

Apparently the Ark people did the same thing.

Not a Christian. I guess from everything you post that makes sense.... it's just the posters keep implying that you were a Christian. Sorry for the confusion.

IMO this is wrong. Your either tax exempt or your not. You shouldn't be able to have it both ways.

It might be taking the argument to an extreme - but I think it still makes a valid point. I am not trying to discuss the merits of religuous doctrine versus tax laws. . . I am responding to the line "It's either legal or it's illegal" - which implies that the poster believes that any action is defensible provided it does not break a law.

I don't get too upset when any person or organization uses the loop holes in the law to ensure they pay the minimum tax bill possible. I would do the same thing. But I wouldn't pretend to do otherwise, I wouldn't skirt the law and push the interpretation of the tax codes and I wouldn't lie about giving large charitable donations etc ....

Sorry but in America even Christians must follow the law.

If what they did was legal, all is good.
If what they did was illegal, they must pay the price.
What you "Feel" about it means nothing.

He's implied as much himself so I don't know what's going on here.

Everyone wants to make this a moral issue and that is fine for your own perspective.

The Law doesn't look at it that way. There is no moral code or skirting the tax laws, It is either legal or it is not.

Just because you don't like what they did and wouldn't do it yourself has no bearing on the situation. It is legal or it is not.

I can't make my point any clearer.

Is it Christian to find ways to to pay less taxes?

A Christian is to give unto Caesar what is Caesars.
The Law tells us what is Caesars.

Second time I have had to say that too.

Okay, so the answer to my question is no.

It's smart.

You know your Gosepl of Supply-Side Jesus quite well, Pitt.

If a Christian or anyone for that matter has taxes to pay and the Law says to do it this way...Plan A

Or the law gives you the option to pay this way...Plan B, and it will save you money legally, Please be wise and pick Plan B.


How you "feel" about it means nothing to Caesar.

I don't believe being a Christian means you have to be stupid.

Sure. Do it legally, of course.

What part of "Christian" makes you think Christians just pay and pay and pay?

What part of "Christian" makes you think they don't use the tax code exactly as you do?

Nothing illegal about it.

There has to be a back story to this we don't know about. The article said a new law was passed by the city.

I understand churches being exempt. In general they provide communiuty service by opening shelters, soup kitchens, etc.

This Arc park....not sure what service it provided unless it funded all the other stuff this group did, but in this case, I would have been a good community servant and paid the tax.

If people are paying $21 or whatever it was, it seems to me you could tag on an extra .50 cents a ticket to cover the tax, and they would still pay the entrance fee.

The problem those on the left are having is mistaking paying taxes with BEING CHARITABLE.

Like Reagan said, a democrats favorite day is April 15th.

how am i mistaking this?

they clearly did this to skate the 700k in taxes they had to pay.

you guys are right. nothing illegal about it.

but ethics is something i thought you christians were about. apparently not when it comes to skating the system.

you guys will blast people who ride the welfare system, which hey, it's legal what they're doing, right? but turn your eye to this. sorry but there seems to be a clear double standard.

Works both ways, bro.

hence the term 'double standard'

Well, typically when people use the term "double standard," they are referring to one side having a double standard rather than both sides.

I don't agree with what they did either. They're a theme park, based on a religious theme or not.

people on long-term welfare typically don't have the credibility to complain much about anything.