Ark funding - a genuine miracle

[Mark Buchanan]

Ken Ham's claims an indisputable miracle in funding for his ark project.
Here are the details:

"
1. The debate between Bill Nye “the Science Guy” and me in February,
that went viral around the world, occurred in God’s providence right
before the bond closing. Now, registrations for the bond offering had
already closed by the time of the debate. However, a number of people
who had already registered for the bonds had not yet moved forward to
fill out the complex paperwork. Some of these people became so enthused
by the debate that they worked extra hard to overcome the seemingly
insurmountable difficulties. The debate encouraged them to ensure their
participation and make the bond offering successful.

2. A number of AiG supporters who were bond holders were shocked by the
media attacks, and they decided to increase their participation in the
bond offering.

3. Others who knew about the bond problem helped in ways we did not
think possible.
"

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2014/04/14/ken-letter-god-provision-ark-encounter

There are a few sketchy details however.

Ham mentions that the estimated cost of phase 1 is $73 million. He was
asking the faithful for $24.5 million for the last few years but the
rest was to come from issuing bonds - likely tied to the private company
set up for this project. The word 'estimate' might be significant
because it isn't clear that the actual cost will be $73 million. The
architects may have found ways to cut costs. For example it looks like
they are only going to build one side of the ark with wood, the other
side will have your more mundane building type stuff like an elevator,
stairwells, and restaurant. It will look like a regular 3 story building
from the back - not exactly the 'won't but could' float ark that was
promised. See the latest details here (subject to change):

http://arkencounter.com/

[The drawings appear to be signed by Noah himself!]

The amount actually raised by the bond issue has not been announced
publicly. If the bonds are part of the private company they wouldn't
have to.

At the announcement of the funding success they changed the goal for
donations from $24.5 to $29.5 million - these donations are charitable
and made to AiG. If it is true that the faithful were upset with how
skeptics were messing up the bond purchase process, one would expect an
uptick in regular donations. This is not the case. I have been keeping
track of these donations for about 9 months now and the pattern of
giving has not changed. (At the current rate the goal will be reached in
about 7 years.)

Mark

[Mike Painter]

A partial list of partial Arks.

This group says it will take 1.5 million for their Ark.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/04/13/3342979/four-men-build-noahs-ark-replica.html

This one, according to the site is "Always visible. (Call to verify)"
"In 1974, Pastor Richard Greene was repeatedly told by Jesus to build
an Ark next to the interstate. "
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10061

Meanwhile it seems that God likes the Dutch better than the Americans.
This guy has built both a half size and a full size Ark that floats
(on steel barges)
http://news.yahoo.com/dutchman-launches-life-sized-replica-noahs-ark-145330205.html

[Mark Buchanan]

It's likely that Ham will succeed. He is the master at fundraising and
has captured the bulk of the creationist market in NA. He is also driven
to build his theme park kingdom.

[Mike Painter]

Possibly but I would not bet on it.
He talks about miracles forwarding his plan but while "explaining" why
the venture is for profit, says " In addition, this large amount of
funding would not have been probable solely through donations and
boarding pass sales" - See more at:
http://arkencounter.com/faq/#admission

So much for faith.

[Mark Buchanan]

The whole thing smells of something rotting. Speaking of smells,
according to their plans they will have the following on the first deck:

monkey / possum
bats / owls
deer
bear
'large animal areas' - three of them
nocturnal monkeys
cat kind
sloth

It's going to be a regular indoor zoo. They keep them away from the
snack bar but the whole thing could get rather pungent. Wonder if they
will keep the animals locked up inside for a year at a time just to get
a better flood experience. Maybe they could get some of the more keen
patrons to participate in looking after the animals - 'look mom I get to
shovel shit!', says little Johny.