That’s a good question and don’t know that I have a satisfactory answer.

I think the REAL difference for me personally is the person(s) behind each production. TBN is a theological train wreck or carnival and anything they do appears to be solely for the almighty dollar. Gibson (through the news) seems to be genuine in his making of Passion and the true purpose behind it.

This is probably not a valid or logical reason at all…just my perspective.

@ Paul – Thanks for your insight. I can see the point of the educational side of the theme park…but seeing a video clip where people are hanging out,drinking a snowcone, and watching the story of Jesus is being played out just doesn’t sit right with me.

@ Bruce – Thanks for your input…especially since you don’t normally comment! I agree with you on your view of TBN and bad theology – then throwing it into something like this. I also can’t believe how “selling Christianity” has become such a big business.

I think it is time for some “Christians” to really check their heart and motives as some of these offerings may not be helping build the Kingdom.

In my opinion and admittedly not having visited this so-called theme park, it just seems to take it too far. I’m all about being relevant and all but come on.

Now, on the other hand what has Gibson’s “Passion” done? It’s made the crucifiction of Christ through the visual arts real to a lot of us . But, there’s just something not right about a theme park selling ice cream and statues of Jesus. It just reminds me of what a characterized version of Christianity South Park might have would look like. I just can’t get my head wrapped around it. It takes me swiftly to the release of Joel Osteen’s board game based on his book and listed on Amazon.

My wife and I went to the Holy Land Experience shortly after it openned and its not as bad as it sounds because to us it really seemed to be more about educating people about Biblical events and Jewish culture during Jesus day than about entertaining and making a buck. There’s a lot of stuff about Holy Land itself like a minature replica of Jerusalem, the temple, and so forth that helps give some perspective into Jewish culture and what things were like in Jesus days.

I would agree with the video report though that you experience a strange combination emotions when you watch some the dramas.

That’s was my experience 7 years ago, but things may have changed since then.