Exclusive: Christian Water Park Owners Dismiss Atheists‘ Attempts to ’Bully’ Them & Vow to Continue Season’s Religious Discount
- Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:15pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Photo Credit: Willow Springs
On Sunday, TheBlaze reported about the debate that is unfolding between the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), an atheist group based in Madison, Wisconsin, and Willow Springs Water Park, an amusement park in Little Rock, Arkansas. At the center of the dispute is a church group discount that non-believers claim is “illegal” and “discriminatory.”
On Monday, TheBlaze spoke with David Ratliff, who owns Willow Springs and operates it with his wife, Lou Ann. While it was originally reported that the couple would be discontinuing their deal for faith groups — a choice that was initially praised by the FFRF — David said that this simply isn’t the case. While the owners removed the discount from their web site while they sought legal advice, it was never ceased.
“We never stopped it. We just pulled it off the web site,” David told TheBlaze. “In no uncertain terms, we are continuing this program, however Labor Day is the only Monday left [in the season].”
WILLOW SPRINGS RESPONDS TO ATHEISTS’ CLAIMS
David recapped the events that unfolded and that have led Willow Springs to come under atheistic scrutiny, explaining that a non-religious, non-profit called ROCAN (Reaching Our Children and Neighborhoods) was looking to use the church discount (faith groups can enter the park for $5 per child on Mondays). When David and Lou Ann refused on the basis that ROCAN doesn’t qualify, the FFRF was notified and the debate ensued.
The owners, who are Christians, initially started the religious discount to try and drum up business. But, it wasn’t only for those who embrace religious beliefs, as individuals over the age of 50 and military members are also eligible. The idea to implement it, David says, was his wife Lu Ann’s.
“This was originally started out as a market test to see if we could beef up our business on Mondays,” David explained. “We chose these three different groups based on the need [and the] importance of military, the fact that people over 50 would bring other guests, [and the fact that, in the religious groups] people are generally well-behaved.”
Photo Credit: Willow Springs Water Park
David went on to describe his passion for Willow Springs, explaining that he once worked there as a young man and that running the business is his joy in retirement. The park, which has been around since 1928, is something that he simply “loves doing.“ The owner also said that he and his wife have the opportunity through the business to ”support a lot of underprivileged children.”
The Ratliffs sponsor a Bible camp each year and they invite at-risk children to participate. The husband and wife also work with three inner-city groups, providing a free opportunity for the children they represent to play at the park free-of-charge each week. As for the church discount, while its structure may have evolved, it’s really nothing new.
“We’ve always given discounts to churches. Up to now, it’s never been questioned until this non-profit wanted to use this $5 thing,” he continued.
When the park told ROCAN that the group would not be eligible for the religious discount, David claims that one of the men who runs the organization threatened him with a lawsuit.
After David and Lou Ann were told that Willow Springs was breaking the law, they sought legal advice to see if they are on shaky ground. As a result, the couple is confident that they are operating within bounds and they will, thus, continue to offer the discount throughout next month.
As for next season — something that the FFRF expressed fear over — David said that he and his wife haven’t yet decided what they will do regarding the discount.
“We’ve got to sit down and look at it. We may want to put a little twist on it. We may want to do it in a different fashion,” he explained. “But whether or not we do it will not be based on what the Freedom From Religion [Foundation says].”
David said that the family isn’t planning to back down, claiming that experts and lawyers, alike, say that they are solid in their offering of the discount.
“The idea that they think they can bully everyone to do whatever they want — they’re going to come across someone who just doesn’t want to be bullied,” he said of the atheist group and its views on the matter. “If everybody stood their ground, they couldn’t possibly attack organizations [the way they are].”
While he voiced a dislike for being at the center of the controversy, David was firm in his standing. “I have two partners: my wife — and Jesus Christ,” he said, maintaining that he would rely on them both for advice.
ROCAN FOUNDER HIGHLIGHTS HIS ROLE IN THE DEBATE
At the surface, the situation seems simple. But, the debate involves three parties, not two. And, to date, it’s been unclear who — ROCAN of the FFRF — is pushing the allegations against Willow Springs.
In an interview with Leifel Jackson, founder of ROCAN, on Monday, cleared up some of these details.
Aside from maintaining that his group did, indeed, seek the discount, Jackson said that he never accused Willow Springs of being discriminatory. While someone form his staff may have contacted the FFRF, they did so to purportedly seek advice and to check the legality of the water park’s policy. Jackson said that he thinks the situation is being co-opted and used to further politically-motivated views.
Photo Credit: Willow Springs Water Park
“To be totally honest with you, I think that a lot of this has been blown up [by] some people with some other agenda,” he proclaimed. “I only asked a question — why we weren’t able to get the same kind of discount…”
Jackson said that he wanted the kids he represents to have “the same options that other kids have.” He maintained that he has no ties to the FFRF. ”I’ve never talked to the Freedom [From Religion Foundation],” he added.
As a result of the debate, Jackson said he has received threats. An individual touting “white power” and claiming that he’s a KKK member purportedly called him with a cryptic message, as have numerous others who have dubbed him an “atheist,” while also throwing racial slurs his way.
Leifel Jackson (Photo Credit: Facebook)
Jackson explained that he’s not an atheist and that he was “baptized at an early age.“ He believes in Jesus and said that the Christian savior is ”going to come back and deal with a lot of this crazy stuff.”
Last week, on Facebook, the non-profit leader highlighted his opposition to the bickering and attacks that Willow Springs has received as well.
Hello my name is Leifel Jackson…the founded of ROCAN it is not my will to cause Mr Ratlff or his water park any harm…and ask anyone thats tied to ROCAN not to commet on this man water park page any more….many folks have a great time there and in this crazy World we all need that..God Bless you alll!!!!!!
Photo Credit: Facebook
While the FFRF seems to be jumping on the case (as noted, they sent a letter to Willow Springs earlier this month, urging the business not to reinstate the discount), Jackson said that he had avoided the group’s legal push against the water park.
Considering these elements, it seems the FFRF is pushing this case, despite an unwillingness on the part of ROCAN to participate. Of course, there is the possibility that another staffer who works with Jackson is speaking and agreeing with the atheist group — but Jackson didn’t seem to believe that such communications are happening any longer.
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Comments (85)
wisehiney
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:22pmReminds me of the time many years ago my minister brother walked in on my rowdy buddies and I drinking it up. I told him “Religion is kinda on the decline around here.” Compared to USA today, that is one heck of an understatement.
Report Post »stage9
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:52pmBut the population in hell is up….so it evens out….
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:06pmYou don’t have to be a wisehiney there you get bit there anyway.
Report Post »OutOfTheAether
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 11:06amOK here’s a thought. This water park offers at-risk kids access to the park on days during the week FOR FREE! And some yahoo is getting their nose out of joint over $5 discount? The FFRF is using this as an agenda piece for sure
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:21pmSomeone is lying. And one of those liars is a cheap SOB. File a lawsuit just because you don’t get your little $5 discount. Dumba$$.
Report Post »ThatsJustCrazyTalk
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:57pm“Jackson explained that he’s not an atheist and that he was ‘baptized at an early age.’“
Umm, that means he’s still an Atheist.
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You MUST BE BORN AGAIN.’ – John 3:3-7
If you want to try to fool the discerning eye of a Christian, don’t try and tell us, “I went to Church when I was young,” or, “I was baptized at an early age (or birth).” You must be Born Again to be a Christian. There is no set time for that as everyone makes the choice at a different point in their lives. But, being a Christian is a choice to follow Jesus and have complete faith in Him.
Definition of TRULY being Baptized: “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” – John 1:7 & “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” – Romans 6:3
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:00pmLook based only on a few blurbs that Blaze chose to type up, you can’t tell if he is a been born again or not….
Judge not lest ye be judged….
Only Christ knows what is in his heart.
Besides it doesn’t sound as if he is involved with FFRF, and is even critical of what they are doing.
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 4:11amWhat‘s next are they going to start suing places for discrimination for offering military discounts because they aren’t in the military?
Report Post »lisa2994
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:16pmGood for them!!! The waterpark I mean. Even if they were offered a day for atheists they wouldn’t take it. Just like to suck the fun out of everything they can!
Report Post »MRPUITT2012
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 12:13pmYou have got to be kidding me? Over a $5.00 discount? These people worked very hard to get where they are today! They run a good clean family type water park, Just because these haters that are not a group of faith then they “the FFRF” needs to just go away. Why would they even want to go into a water park that is based of Jesus Christ? To do what they do best start TROUBLE!!!! DeavonReye I‘m sorry if you don’t believe in God! How do you think humans were made? Aliens from Mars or Pluto?? I tell you what you keep your faith in whatever and I‘ll keep mine in Christ and on judgement day we’ll see where you end up and where True Christians are! Notice I didn‘t say Christian are because Christian’s never die their souls live forever and ever……. See you on the flipside DeavonReye!
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:10pm…
Report Post »Lou Ann & David Ratliff, thank you for standing your ground. Keep the faith.
Put the Christian group discount back on your website, and Willow Springs Water Park will be blessed by God, ten fold.
shorelineliz
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:21pmAmen. It’s their business. They built it. They should run it like they want. If you don’t meet the requirements of the group discount, as stated, then shut up and move along. Me and my group need to get in and use the slides! Just stand aside and zip it! Sour grapes these people are!
Report Post »Old Truckers
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:08pmNo Soup for You!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:53pmDavid says he has two partners, his wife and Jesus Christ……winner!
Report Post »ChildofJesus
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:41pmI know right? that was awesome. :) good for them.
Report Post »okredstate
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:52pmKeep up the good fight. If I was the owner, I would continue to provide discounts to religious groups as well. For atheists, they get a discount if they say the Lords Prayer before entering, or no discount.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:51pmHmmmmm ROCAN sounds a lot like ACORN……..and if you wana reach ouchildren and neighborhoods…….go spend a few months in DETROIT,,,,take a good long look at what 50 years of liberal democrat control did to people, families , homes , the entire city…..GO LOOK AT WHAT LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DID TO MY HOMETOWN……..I would rather be in Somalia than Democrat Detroit…..they’re about the same.
Report Post »RandomMan
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 7:04pmYea I noticed the anagram too. Great way to hide it from the illiterates.
Report Post »DeavonReye
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:50pmGood. A company shouldn’t be bullied by anyone.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:49pmThese self-interest groups are like blood sucking fleas. They are out to attack from any and every way they can for Obama and his agenda.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:48pmOooh! Oooh! Oooh! Arnold Horshack died today.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:36pmMake it a Church Service and they will probably stay away.
Report Post »MDECKER
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:35pmThe owner of the “Willow Springs Water Park”, Davd Ratliff, does’t have to explan why he does what he does with his business to me, the man in the moon, and most certainly the bone-head bunch from the FFRF.
Report Post »1snake1
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:01pmFederal civil rights law disagrees.
Report Post »Haroldm1
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:37pmI’m confused….if a business can offer discounts to seniors and children…what is the difference, other that they are offering a discount to church going people. The Federal Laws that address discrimination does it based on race…and sex…and age…and (is there anything else?)
Report Post »DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:34pmI would suggest the water park have an atheist day – just once. It would be hilarious. A bunch of lonely, slope-shouldered men with flasks hidden in their nylon fanny packs, plodding around the park, with almost no women in sight. They’d complain about everything, and they’d pee in the pool, just to be mean.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:43pmHonestly…I think Christians pee in the pool too. Just sayin’.
Report Post »SREGN
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:52pmGonzo – I can’t speak for all Christians, but as for me, guilty as charged.
Report Post »The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:54pm:x
Report Post »thetruthlives
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:31pmBravo!!
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:30pmThe atheists sure are a funny lot. They seem to have a huge problem with something they say doesn’t exist.
Report Post »1snake1
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:03pmIt isn’t your imaginary sky-being we have an issue with. Its the bigotry, hatred and intolerance his followers push in his name we have a problem with.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:40pmEvidently stereotyping is perfectly cool with you fine folks? Seems to me like you are playing out of two rule books.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 5:48pmSo SNAKE are you saying ROCAN is a church group who worships Christ and God? If so, why is FFRF getting involved as they are ATHEIST and do not believe in God. You are the ignorant one. Since when does an Atheist group qualify as a church group?
You are so clueless and ignorant, I don’t know where to begin. Nobody denied them because the founder was black. That is not the case and if it was, then we would agree; it would have been bigotry. Since this is not the case, you are disparaging the owner erroneously.
Learn the law and quite trying to apply Liberal logic.
Report Post »DLV
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 9:20pmsnake- the irony really escapes you doesn’t it? lol. Check out the atheist billboards. If anyone is hateful and bigoted it’s atheists. Fyi, private businesses can give discounts to anyone. If some company decided to give atheists a discount I would not have an issue with it.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:29pmSlip sliding away, slip sliding away
You know the nearer your destination, the more you’re slip sliding away.
Whoa God only knows, God makes his plan
The information’s unavailable to the mortal man.
We work our jobs, collect our pay
Believe we’re gliding down the highway, when in fact we’re slip sliding away.
Courtesy (libs) Simon & Garfunkel
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:28pmYou could offer them reduced rates in the wading pool near the alligator pond.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:28pmLiberals are dangerous people, bullies that will destroy everything around them. These people must be watched and recognized for the people that they are and we must do what ever is necessary to protect our conservative people from these monsters. Watch them, their dangerous people.
Report Post »mcsledge
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:26pmIn case your are wondering, many anti-christs are among us. The godless serve their master and it isn’t science. Lucifer, the cunning one, has engaged them to do his bidding.
Report Post »RocktheCasbah
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:55pmYep
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:24pmI think we need a FFAF.
Freedom From Atheism Foundation.
These people are kooks who are bored out of their minds. They fight so hard against a God they don’t even believe in.
Report Post »bdandsl
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:22pmSign me up!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:22pmAtheism works Perfectly for Extreme Socialist Governments… where the Government desires to control the people by taking on all Activiities of the Church!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:21pmMy wife and I go to a restaurant that gives a 10% discount if you bring in a church bulletin on Sundays, any church. I won’t name it, because the loons will attack it. It’s very popular.
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:21pmThis private business is doing nothing wrong. You just have radical activists trying to take over with their agenda. Screw them.
Report Post »Want our country back
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:18pm110 MILLIOM collecting FREEBEEs via our taxes
Report Post »50% of Americans pay taxes
50% of Americans pay NO taxes
1% hire a lot of people
STOP THIS MADNESS
VOP ROMNEY/RYAN 2012
IslandAtheist
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 2:45pmSpeaking of taxes, when is that draft dodging missionary to France going to release his?
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:10pm@islandatheist………..when the foreign exchange student from Kenya who’s tuition was paid for by communists releases his college records…..that’s when.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:18pmRelease his taxes?
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on August 14, 2012 at 3:25pm@ Atheist…. when you see the Light and become a believer
Report Post »DeavonReye
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 10:20am“…see the light…”? You mean, “believe what you say”.
I’ll “believe the light” when [IF there even is a deity out there] that “light” makes itself known instead of hiding from people, AND has a very good explaination for all the issues I’ve discovered in the bible [if "the bible" is even the actual "holy text" he/she/it even condones]. Such a being SHOULD be able to quite easily show itself, explain things, and do so without any lingering doubt.
I am QUITE up for that. But if it is a “only by faith”, or some other human saying, “believe what I am saying is true”, then “the light” has no power.
Report Post »The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on August 15, 2012 at 1:57pmYou should give it a try anyway. Churches are warm friendly places from my experience. If you don’t believe, that’s ok, just think of it as a quiet place for a mental/spiritual rest.
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