Visit Jerusalem in Buenos Aires .....

Visit Jerusalem in Buenos Aires all year long

Yesterday we visited a theme park called Tierra Santa - or the Holy Land.  Now I'm not a religious person, but to me the idea of a religious theme park is just wierd.  I have posted a number of pictures here and there are more on the slideshow, so you can see for yourself, but it was incredibly kitsch and at times quite comical.

My experience of church in the UK was that although religion can be the subject of humour at times, generally, whether we believe or not, we show a certain amount of respect to it, speaking in hushed tones in churches and having regard for people 'of the cloth'.

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem

Of course we also have churches where congregations are encouraged to be more exuberant in their worship, but they are still respectful of their religion.  South America seems less reverential about religion than much of Europe, but it clearly takes it very seriously.  So how does that fit with a religious theme park?

The Crucifixion

The park depicts various moments of religious importance, primarily from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Most are static tableaux such as the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem, or the crucifixion, but there are four that go further.

The Last Supper

The birth of light, the nativity, the last supper and the resurrection of Christ are all shown in motion.  The characters are presumably moved by hydraulics but the movement is limited and very stilted.  They play a soundtrack which is mostly narration or music, but in the last supper we hear Jesus speaking to his disciples.  The nativity scene had lowing cattle, a star moving across the sky and the three kings offering up their gifts.

The Resurrection

But the 'best' one had to be the resurrection.  To a chorus of hallelujahs, a 15 foot high model of Jesus,with his arms outstretched, rose up out of a rock and turned back and forth, before disappearing back down.

The Resurrection

Now I knew what was coming because a friend had been here and told me about it, bit still nothing quite prepares you for it.  I did try to control my laughter just in case anyone was actually taking this seriously, but it was just too much.

There are video clips of the full display on you tube if you want to see it in its full glory!

The replica Wailing Wall

WHY DO IT??? Surely no-one can take this seriously?  I can't see how even the most ardent believers could find this anything other than completely ridiculous and possibly even insulting.

Someone suggested it is bringing an opportunity to see something of these biblical places that most people will never get to see in real life - but a plaster mock up of the wailing wall, complete with model wailers, doesn't make you believe you've seen it and there is absolutely no attempt to make it a spiritual experience.

Mother Teresa

Ghandi

It could be educational, but the actual  information was pretty limited, and there was no explanation at all of throwing in the models of Ghandi, Martin Luther, Mother Teresa and the Pope, or for that matter the mosque!

If it is intended to encourage belief among those who either don't believe or don't know the stories, then if my reaction is anything to go by, it has no chance!

So if we knew what to expect and are so unimpressed by it then why did we go.  Well some things really do have to be seen to be believed and it was entertaining just for being so unbelievably kitsch.

Salem Pizzeria and Bar

It was also amusing to us that being right next to the airport, you could be looking at a biblical scene with an aeroplane taking off just above it.

But whatever I think, it seems to be a moneyspinner.  Entrance was 40 pesos each (£6), which is relatively expensive here.  There were plenty of places to buy food and drink such as the 'Salem Pizzeria', there was a souvenir shop and a market selling scarves, pottery and jewellery.

Jesus throws traders out of the temple

      

Nic with a donkey 

 This of course is all alongside the tableau of Jesus throwing the market traders out of the temple. Hmmm!

Perhaps peoples' view of religion here is different enough to make this a positive experience, but I can't see it!