10 Places to Pray Hard
References: yesbutnobutyes
You have got to love Christians with this whole selection of specialized tourist traps. Forget the traditional Lourdes--here you'll find a whole selection of alternative places to visit that look like a whole lot more fun. These ten destinations let you skip the pesky pilgrimage crowds and just pray hard.
Super-sized Saviors
These giant saviors are dotted around the world, like this 62-foot tall example in the U.S.
New Holy Land Tour
Found in Arkansas, this tour gives you the chance to interact with the all the biblical heroes, as played by local teenagers.
Biblical Miniature Golf
This biblical mini golf course revolves around statues of Jesus, Mary and, of course, crosses.
Real Life Ark
Richard Green built this ark, which is located in Maryland. After repeated visions of a giant ark on the side of a hill, he decided this was the voice of God instructing him to build a full size replica of Noah’s ark. He has now run out of cash, to which the ever-pious Richard says, “As God provides, we will build.”
Cross Garden
The Cross Garden isn’t as bright and cheery as the other destinations. It serves as a caution about what awaits if you don’t find Jesus, using warning labels written on crosses. My personal favorites of these are, “Hell is hot, hot, hot,” and the reminder that there is “No ice water in hell”. Far from being a pilgrimage site, it now attracts art lovers who view it as a kind of messed-up art installation.
Holyland
Located in Orlando, Florida--the home of a few other popular theme parks--the Holyland Experience takes religious branding to a whole new level. After deciding that public execution is good wholesome family fun, you can be nailed to a cross, but only once you have finished eating your Goliath burger.
Christian Paintballing Center
Promised land paintball is where Christians can go to shoot other Christians with paintballs. Despite what you might think, anyone can play at the CPC, not just members of the Christian Paintballing Society.
Great Passion Play
It’s billed as ‘America’s #1 Attended Outdoor Drama’ apparently. As the play advertises, “You’ll be inspired as the story of the Man Who changed the world forever unfolds before your eyes.”
Lego Church
Of course, if you want to play while you pray, don’t forget the brilliance that is the Lego Church.
Precious Moments Chapel
This brings to life all your favorite biblical stories, but be wary of the temptation to overdo it at the adjoining Precious Moments store, the world’s largest.
Super-sized Saviors
These giant saviors are dotted around the world, like this 62-foot tall example in the U.S.
New Holy Land Tour
Found in Arkansas, this tour gives you the chance to interact with the all the biblical heroes, as played by local teenagers.
Biblical Miniature Golf
This biblical mini golf course revolves around statues of Jesus, Mary and, of course, crosses.
Real Life Ark
Richard Green built this ark, which is located in Maryland. After repeated visions of a giant ark on the side of a hill, he decided this was the voice of God instructing him to build a full size replica of Noah’s ark. He has now run out of cash, to which the ever-pious Richard says, “As God provides, we will build.”
Cross Garden
The Cross Garden isn’t as bright and cheery as the other destinations. It serves as a caution about what awaits if you don’t find Jesus, using warning labels written on crosses. My personal favorites of these are, “Hell is hot, hot, hot,” and the reminder that there is “No ice water in hell”. Far from being a pilgrimage site, it now attracts art lovers who view it as a kind of messed-up art installation.
Holyland
Located in Orlando, Florida--the home of a few other popular theme parks--the Holyland Experience takes religious branding to a whole new level. After deciding that public execution is good wholesome family fun, you can be nailed to a cross, but only once you have finished eating your Goliath burger.
Christian Paintballing Center
Promised land paintball is where Christians can go to shoot other Christians with paintballs. Despite what you might think, anyone can play at the CPC, not just members of the Christian Paintballing Society.
Great Passion Play
It’s billed as ‘America’s #1 Attended Outdoor Drama’ apparently. As the play advertises, “You’ll be inspired as the story of the Man Who changed the world forever unfolds before your eyes.”
Lego Church
Of course, if you want to play while you pray, don’t forget the brilliance that is the Lego Church.
Precious Moments Chapel
This brings to life all your favorite biblical stories, but be wary of the temptation to overdo it at the adjoining Precious Moments store, the world’s largest.
Trend Themes
1. Alternative Religious Tourism - Developing specialized and unique religious tourism experiences that veer away from traditional sites and attract a younger demographic.
2. Religious-themed Entertainment - Opportunities for creating religiously-themed attractions (such as Holyland in Orlando) that entertain as well as showcase faith-based messaging.
3. Religious Merchandising - The commercialization and monetization of religious themes, such as at the Precious Moments store, could generate significant revenue streams for religious institutions and entrepreneurs alike.
Industry Implications
1. Tourism and Hospitality - Alternative religious tourism and religious-themed attractions present opportunities for growth and differentiation in the broader tourism and hospitality sector.
2. Entertainment - Religious-themed entertainment presents an opportunity to galvanize faith communities and attract mainstream audiences alike, while promoting positive messaging and values through a unique medium.
3. Retail - Religious merchandising presents opportunities for religious institutions and entrepreneurs to capitalize on faith-based themes and messaging through the sale of products such as books, trinkets, and clothing.
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