Hey Mom can I have my picture taken with Jesus Christ?

Christians have everything in this country. They are the dominant religious group in the United States. They have holidays observed by most businesses and governmental offices. They have their shops selling Bibles and crosses on every corner. On television preachers can proclaim the “good word” on a national scale.

But one group has stood up against these Christians.

That group is Orange County Property Appraiser in Florida who turned down a Christian theme park organizer’s request for tax exemption, claiming it was a religious and educational facility.

The tax exemption request for the Holy Land Experience theme park was denied when the property appraiser said the park was a business, not a museum.

After receiving this decision, Christians did not turn the other cheek. They grabbed a Bible, said a quick prayer and did what any good Christian would do. They turned to Pat Robertson’s legal advocacy group, the American Center for Law and Justice, for help.

Holy Land Experience founders are determined to get their tax exemption in order to save thousands of dollars. They said the 15-acre plot is a “living museum” that recreates the Holy Land during Biblical times. And they have some historical park features to prove their point.

One of those is the six-story-high Temple of the Great King which is a representation of the temple that Jesus discussed with the Pharisees and scribes as a boy. There’s also a replica of the Garden Tomb where Jesus Christ was buried. Actors dressed in Biblical-era clothing walk through the park singing religious songs.

So it seems that maybe, just maybe, this is some kind of religious museum.

But believe me, it won’t be long before the amusement park rides start being built. Even Christian children want the thrill of the tea cups, roller coasters and Ferris wheel.

Imagine it for a moment.

A wild roller -coaster ride where the Jews rush through the desert to leave the Romans, ending with a splash as Moses parts the Red Sea for the escape.

Various cardboard cutouts would be placed around the Florida park so attendees could poke their heads through the model head and take their picture as their favorite Biblical character.

Honeymooning couples would pose as Adam and Eve. Parents would take photos of their sons placed to look like brothers Jacob and Esau.

The biggest ride would be a boat ride called Noah’s Ark, where riders walk in two at a time.

But all of this might not happen because of the evil property appraiser. The religious park owner may have to pay up to $348,000 in property taxes for the $16 million park in the coming years.

If these theme park owners are so concerned with educating people about the Bible, why is the park open every day of the year, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas?

A Christian museum that isn’t closed for Easter?

I know I’m not that religious and haven’t been to any Christian “living museums” lately, but I remember from religion class that Easter was an important Christian holiday.

Wasn’t it the day the main man, J.C., rose from the dead?

So is this whole tax exemption dispute about another case of unfair treatment for these Christians?

No.

Is it just another amusement park trying to get people to spend money like Disney World, Dollywood and Valleyfair?

Yes.

And park owners have even said they will have to raise admission prices to deal with the taxes.

But isn’t this a nonprofit place of religious learning?

Well it looks like it’s time to take a turn on the Christian Tilt- O-Whirl, because someone out there is looking to make a quick buck.

Michelle Kann is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Garnavillo. She is the newsroom managing editor.