Ark Encounter and Mike Johnson Mark 10th Anniversary of Religious Freedom Legal Victory Against Kentucky
Answers in Genesis marks the tenth anniversary of its legal victory against Kentucky over the Ark Encounter. In 2015, future House Speaker Mike Johnson and Nate Kellum defended the ministry after Kentucky withheld a tourism tax incentive over religious hiring practices. A federal judge ruled in January 2016 that the state violated the First Amendment and affirmed the ministry's right to hire Christian staff. Despite generating billions in economic impact, the attraction remains unacknowledged by Governor Andy Beshear.
Claims
▪In 2015, Answers in Genesis engaged in a legal battle against the State of Kentucky over religious freedom and First Amendment rights regarding the Ark Encounter.
▪Kentucky's tourism incentive program offered a sales tax rebate to attractions based on capital investment, involving no existing taxpayer money.
▪Answers in Genesis president Ken Ham states that legislation is not the ultimate answer to cultural issues, emphasizing a spiritual battle for hearts and minds.
▪The January 2016 federal court ruling affirmed that under the 1964 Civil Rights Act Title VII exemption, Answers in Genesis had the right to hire only Christian employees.
▪Answers in Genesis required job applicants to provide a salvation testimony, a creation belief statement, and agreement with its Statement of Faith.
▪Current Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear does not publicly acknowledge the Ark Encounter or include it in official state tourism promotions.
▪In January 2016, a federal judge ruled that Kentucky violated the First Amendment by withholding the neutral tourism tax incentive from the Ark Encounter.
▪The Creation Museum and Ark Encounter have generated billions of dollars in economic impact for the State of Kentucky.
▪Mike Johnson of Freedom Guard and Nate Kellum of the Center for Religious Expression served as lead counsels defending Answers in Genesis in the lawsuit.
▪Ken Ham views the current political climate under a new U.S. administration as a temporary window of opportunity to reach people with the biblical gospel.
▪The federal court ruling in January 2016 has since been cited as a precedent in other religious freedom legal battles.
▪The Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet withheld final approval of the incentive, citing Answers in Genesis's religious hiring requirements for a CAD Technician position.
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