hell house

[AndrewA]

basically, i just don't think that scaring people into religion is an incredibly worthwhile tactic, nor, in this instance, a way to generate compassion for those struggling. i still have very big problems with depicting an anguished, mentally unstable girl being dragged off to hell when her rapists totally disappear from the picture.

I thought I commented on this in my last post.

The reality of what happens when we die IS horrific and scary. So telling people they will go to hell and be condemned for eternity inst scary? All these events are doing are portraying exactly this and shows rather graphically what happens when someone dies. This is simply preaching gospel to a target audience who love to be scared and enjoy horror and gore. No one if forcing these people around, it is not like you are dragging everyone in your neighbourhood and town around to see it including some people who have a nervous frail disposition etc , no just about everyone who turns up to see these events WANT to.

Simply telling some people that “Jesus died for you sins, believe this, repent ask him into your life and you will be saved” doesn’t work for them, in short they don’t believe it and don’t care. Someone may have been told this 100 times or more in their life but they still reject it, they like their horror and gore too much and well hell cant be that bad a place after all. They turn up to one of these horror houses because it’s a free fix to feed their horror and gore appetite, however near the end the events acted out in front of them have a different effect and ram home the reality of what is going to happen to that person when they die. They immediately realize the horrible reality of death and accept God into their lives on the spot.

As for glorifying Halloween how can it be? Halloween is just one day, these events are run over weeks and take advantage of this and peoples interest in horror to spread the Gospel. If something is for the Glory of God then how can it be wrong?

Edited October 30, 2006 by AndrewA

[georgesbluegirl]

you did point it out before - i just don't agree, it's as simple as that.

i also think God leaves room for shades of gray.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

matt, why would you attack the production of the film without having seen it?

I've seen enough treatments of Christianity in the media to be suspect as to the authorship.

When researching your reference to it. I saw a piece put out by NPR, enough said. Won't watch it. It will likely be biased and portray Christians as closed minded Neanderthals and unfeeling uncaring monsters. When emotions have nothing to do with the Truth.

What are the grey areas, GBG, that God leaves in accord to Salvation?

Peace,

Dave

[georgesbluegirl]

don't have time to go into the "gray" but:

again, you haven't seen it. it is FAR from portraying christians as monsters. it shows incredibly intimate details of several lives, including a man who has been left by his wife, and who cares for his children (one of them epileptic), a girl who had been raped and managed to forgive her rapist through the performance of a scene, etc. the film shows clearly the level of support that people gain from the church. it's extremely balanced. just because NPR talks about or comments about something doesn't mean it's bad.

[georgesbluegirl]

I don't know if, ultimately, good has been done. Assuming I was a naive young person, I might leave "Hell House" believing that all homosexuals are God-hating, diseased sinners, that human sacrifices are a common occurrence, that I'd better not get raped because I'll have to deal with it all on my own (no friend, comfort or angelic voice over the shoulder in that scene, just a demon), and that I should be very afraid of the shy, quiet kid everyone makes fun of because he'll probably kill me one day - why show compassion to a crazy person?

Clearly, I'm being extreme. But those are the views of horrible, tragic situations that are presented at Trinity - and, after some research I've been doing, seem to be commonly presented in "Hell Houses" held at churches around the country.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

it is FAR from portraying christians as monsters.

Clearly, I'm being extreme

Yet here we are with the conclussion that I bet NPR wanted you to come away with. Christians are doing more harm with the Gospel Message than they are doing Good.

When really that isn't the issue at all.

They are trying to Save souls from hell.

If they could just get away from their dogmatic Religious beliefs and see what the True nature of the problem is. THEM. then we could begin to have a serious discussion about how to help these children. Like give them needles or condoms.

I'm not being particularly harsh either.

NPR isn't bad, just misguided and misunderstanding the nature of sin in the world.

Peace,

Dave

[georgesbluegirl]

I don't think you're giving me enough credit here. Not only did I not hear the NPR piece, but I'm perfectly capable of thinking for myself. I saw the movie, which had no internal commentary. I have done further research, and a bit of contemplating. These are my reactions. Again I emphasize, if you haven't seen the movie, then please refrain from commenting on how you think the movie depicts Christians. None of the people in the film come off as unfeeling, unkind, mean, etc. We see them trying to do a good thing for their community and their church. What I'm talking about is the literal production that comes out of those desires to do something good. Personally, I think all the money spent on Hell House could be much better spent on an outreach program in Dallas.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

GBG,

I do apologize your right, I'm not giving you enough credit. Maybe I should rephrase my thoughts.

I do not care for anything NPR does because it will contain a basic slant. That is why I avoid it and will monitor whether or not my children watch it.

I am not particularly fond of the way the mainstream media portrays Christianity. Nor those who Preach the Gospel. Whether it be conventionally or in this case non-conventionally.

Technically speaking, this is an outreach.

The basic thing is this though. Taking care of someones immediate physical needs and not addressing their Spiritual situation still leaves them with no Hope.

Peace,

Dave