Heavens. First it’s Erich Van Daniken’s “Ancient Astronauts” museum about to go under, and now it’s Kent Hovind’s creationist theme park. Though in Hovind’s case, it’s not dollars, it’s … well, hubris.
Escambia County authorities this week locked up a museum building at the theme park on North Palafox Street in Pensacola after Circuit Judge Michael Allen ruled the owners were in contempt of court.
Owners of the park, which shows how dinosaurs may have roamed the Earth just a few thousand years ago, did not obtain a building permit before constructing the building in 2002. They have argued in and out of court that it violates their “deeply held” religious beliefs, and that the church-run facility does not have to obtain permits.
After almost four years of litigation, the judge disagreed and said the county has the authority to close the building until the owners comply with regulations.
[…] Church leader Kent Hovind vowed to appeal the case. “We will continue our legal fight,” Hovind said Thursday.
“This is pure religious persecution,” said Glen Stoll, who works closely with Hovind on legal issues.
As one county commissioner put it, “Scripture also says ‘Render unto Caesar what Caesar demands.’ And right now, Caesar demands a building permit.” Let’s hope that Hovind & Co. are stubborn enough to go down the tubes for their “We’re too important to be worried about the law” beliefs.
(via Les)