A computer-generated image of the world's largest cross, set to be built in Nazareth pending municipal approval.
Posted on 07/16/2007 10:27:42 AM PDT by NYer
A computer-generated image of the world's largest cross, set to be built in Nazareth pending municipal approval.
The proposal, which is still in its planning stages, is being floated by a group of affluent Christian businessmen from Israel and abroad.
The massive cross, dubbed "The Nazareth Cross," would tower 60 meters high, and would be decorated by some 7.2 million brilliant mosaic tiles made of Nazareth stone, according to project adviser Ibrahim Boulous.
The plans for the cross, which would be built next to the English Hospital in the ancient city, are still being worked on, and could be changed in the coming weeks, Boulous said.
A French architect is due to arrive in Israel this week to discuss the project, he added.
According to the original plan, a church will stand at the center of the monumental cross, while a state-of-the-art visitor center will be built in a five sq.-km. space around it, according to the project's Web site.
The privately-funded building proposal, which is being promoted by an NGO comprising various Christian denominations, is meant to increase tourism to the economically hard-hit city.
Nazareth deputy mayor Bashir Abdel-Razik said Sunday that the idea to build such a project has not been presented to the city, which must approve such a grandiose plan.
He said he was unsure if the plan would ever get off the ground.
The proposal for the huge cross is seen as likely to cause unrest among the city's Muslims, who make up two-thirds of the population of 74,000 people.
Religious tensions have boiled over in the past when the two sides had a heated six-year dispute over attempts by the Muslims to build a large mosque next to the Basilica, one of Christendom's holiest sites.
The Basilica is built on the site where Christians believe the angel Gabriel appeared before the Virgin Mary and foretold the birth of Jesus two millennia ago.
Israel eventually barred the construction of the mosque four years ago following severe pressure from the Vatican and a united Christian front against the building project.
Nazareth, which used to be heavily frequented by Israelis and tourists, has, like many other cities in Israel, been hard-hit by the Palestinian violence over the last seven years, with many shops in the historic Old City forced to close their doors as both Israelis and foreigners stayed away during this time.
With a respite in violence, locals and Tourism Ministry officials are hoping to see a resurgence in tourism to the Galilee town, which had been preparing for a surge of tourists for the millennium, just before the latest round of violence began.
As if they need a reason...
It’s a good thing the ACLE is limited to the United States.
They would go nuts over this. Maybe San Diego could put one up?
Gee, ya think?
There is no way a symbol like that could remain standing there, it would be too symbolic to drive a truck bomb up to it and bring it down, showing dominance by the muzzies in their won back yard.
own... d*mn fat fingers.
The quiet dignity of true religion meets the tawdriness of twenty-first century sensibilities.
LOL.
LOL!!
It's really missing a giant red blinking neon sign that says, "Jesus Saves!"
Of course, this may start a fierce oneupmanship contest among major world religions. I thinking the IDF might build a new headquarters in the form of the world's largest Magen David:
Somehow I'm doubting it too...
I'll start buying popcorn wholesale, while the maggots start buying explosives by the trainload...
So easy even a caveman can do it...
(With apologies to cavemen everywhere)
Don't know Bill Hicks, and I don't think I want to.
I am also not an evangesist or a religious nut, but just happen to know why that comparison is obscene...
Jesus went willingly; JFK didn't.
I’m sure the ACLU is trying to figure out an angle for a lawsuit.
It sounds obnoxious.
Bill Hicks REALLY doesn’t get it.
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