I think its safe to say that if a Muslim group were denied tax incentives for a Mecca themed park because they only hired Muslims, Fox News would applaud the decision. But now that the same group behind the Kentucky creationist theme park has been denied government subsidies for a new Noah's Ark theme park, because of their Christians only emloyment policy, Fox News is very, very sad.
On this morning's Fox & Friends, Ainsley Earhardt began by reporting how, when the Kentucky Noah's Ark theme park project was announced in 2010, lots of folks, including the governor, were "all for it." She informed the audience that the state has refused to support the project by withdrawing tax incentives. She wanted to know "what changed" and, to get her answer, she introduced her guest, the lawyer who is representing the project.
Mike Johnson, from "Freedom Guard," a Christian legal advocacy group, gushed about the awesomeness of the project would be a great business boom to Kentucky. He theorized that the reason behind the withdrawal of the tax incentives is - wait for it - "because these radical, atheist organizations" have put political pressure on the state which, he claimed, is unlawful because "you can't treat religious groups differently" than any other group, even though, as he admitted, this is "a religious themed park." He added that a lawsuit is being considered.
Earhardt gushed over how this is "awful" for "Answers in Genesis" because they have "put in years of hard work and money and now they're [the governnment] are going back on their word." She read a statement from the Kentucky governor about how the park's backers will be using a religious litmus test in hiring personnel. Johnson claimed that this is just fine because religious organizations can have such preferences in their hiring. This would have been the opportunity for Earhardt to mention that employment policies for a taxpayer subsidized theme park, Christian or not, are not the same as employment policies for churches; but she didn't say anything other than ask if Answers in Genesis would be willing to hire non-Christians. Johnson said no, but who cares because this park will bring in millions of visitors and create hundreds of jobs. Doing her bit for the cause, Earhardt said she was sure that Christians will send money to help the project.
What wasn't mentioned was that not only do the Noah's Ark applicants have to be Christian; but they have to sign a "faith statement" attesting to their belief in creationism and the flood. Can you imagine the outcry from Fox if a Muslim theme park required the applicants to sign the Shahada (Muslim profession of faith)! But Noah's them park is Christian, so it's all good and who cares about those nasty 1st Amendment touting atheists anyway!