Creationist Ken Ham has spent $101 million, with help from taxpayer subsidies, to build a replica of the ark mentioned in the biblical story of Noah. The “authentic recreation” of Noah’s Ark is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and seven stories high.
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The project has been in the planning in 2010 and has fallen under heavy criticism by some who argue that it undermines science education.
The handmade ark features at least 130 activities and exhibits, including depictions of animal cages and living quarters for Noah and his family, a petting zoo and a restaurant, WXIX reported. More than 8,300 VIP guests and 150 media representatives attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony and preview showing Tuesday. He believes God created the world in six days and six nights and rejects the idea that Earth is 4.5 billion years old.
Scientists uniformly agree that dinosaurs died out about 65 million years prior to the appearance of man.
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An ark opponent who leads an atheist group called the Tri-State Freethinkers said the religious theme park will be unlike any other in the nation because of its rejection of science. It is situated close to the Creation Museum, which was opened by the same group nine years ago.
