A debate between scientist Bill Nye and Creation Museum founder Ken Ham sparked enough fundraising to build a giant replica of Noah's Ark, called "Ark Encounter".
Ken Ham, president and co-founder of Answers In Genesis, recently his plans to build a giant, 510 foot recreation of Noah's Ark as part of the Ark Encounter exhibit in Williamstown, Kentucky. Answers In Genesis is a Christian ministry that promotes the Bible's explanations of the origins of the universe. The Answers In Genesis site outlined plans for the giant ark, claiming that it will take up 800 acres and will be built "in phases over many years". The first phase alone will cost $73 million, which has been raised through donations and a municipal bond. In the opening of this video released on the Ark Encounter site, viewers can see the planned design for the exhibit:
The project was floundering before a highly-publicized February 4th debate between popular scientist and educator Bill Nye and Ken Ham brought new light to the creationism debate, reports ABC News . Though many agree that Bill Nye won the debate, Ham is counting the debate as a success as it prompted those in the bond industry to push funding for Ark Encounter forward.
After hearing that Ham's Ark Encounter project is ready to move forward, Bill Nye said he was "heartbroken and sickened for the Commonwealth of Kentucky," as the exhibit will bring more publicity to Ham's ministry.
Photo: Answers In Genesis press