The Ultimate in Holy Experiences....

So i didn't think this place was real...but apparently it is:

 

The Holy Land Experience...It is part amusement park, theater, museum & part edutainment....Get your Holy Land T-Shirt now before they run out....

watch the trailor, its very informative:

http://www.holylandexperience.com/

"It is a living, biblical museum that takes you 7000 miles away and 2000 years back in time to the land of the Bible. Its combination of sights, sounds, and tastes will stimulate your senses and blend together to create a spectacular new experience."

I think this very much pertains to the the American arrogance that McAlister discusses in the introduction (15) in which Christians thought they had authority over the Holy Land of the Middle East. American tourist felt that it was more a part of their history than the people that actually lived there and hijacked that heritage....

Any thoughts on this modern day interpretation?

Also this is a piece "Ask an Iraqi" called done for This American Life's Television show. Just thought it was interesting/semi-relevant and illustrates how starved we are for intercultural dialog. 

Part One:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPEX0PnV-LU

Part Two:

Part Two:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPfLdxEr0jk&feature=related

Its pretty funny and makes you think...

Discussion Question:

In drawing connections in class today I was struck by the influence of African American models in the media. It took Muhammad Ali's conversion and outspokenness on the war to draw attention to the discontent of African Americans in the draft. It took the voices of artists like Ray Charles and Little Richard to pull African Americans out of the cultural periphery (musically). They were some of the first faces to be seen and voices heard in white America's living room and as such were viewed as models for the community. White America took them in because they were seen as safe and controllable, but I think they were some of the first influences in shifting the American conscience. What influence do you think these faces brought to the struggle of African Americans? Were they or a foot in the door or were they away for White America to compartmentalize a group of people? How important is that role of that safe African American in creating major social change?