As national attitudes toward religion become increasingly polarized, the faithful search for new means of proselytizing. Two such efforts underscore the curious intersection of reverence and frivolity.

Nestled in the muggy midsection of central Florida, the Holy Land Experience transports its guests to first-century Jerusalem in a nonsectarian, faith-based theme-park setting. With original films, live shows, and guided tours by its “biblical archaeologists,” the Experience welcomes some 200,000 guests a year. Its Scriptorium: Center for Biblical Antiquities houses thousands of scrolls, manuscripts, and religious artifacts, and its 45-foot by 25-foot model of Jerusalem displays the path Christ took toward crucifixion. And once a day, you can watch actors following the Via Dolorosa, with enough blood to make Mel Gibson squeamish.

Meanwhile, Dave Socha’s line of biblically-inspired Tales of Glory action figures found its way into Wal-Mart and other stores in mid-August as part of a nationwide test run. “I’m personally a Samson fan, but what we’re finding is that J.C. still steals the show,” quips Socha. Promotional materials reveal a muscle-bound Samson dropping an equally jacked Goliath with a solid left hook. If both Christian and secular parents can turn a blind eye to the celebration of anachronistic violence, the toys should be a smashing success.