Has anyone here seen "Hell House?"

[John BigBootay]

It's a 2001 documentary about a fundamentalist Christian school that puts on a Hell House every Halloween which is designed to show the many ways one can go to hell if one does not accept Christ and live a pure life.

An interesting film. Even though the fundies in this film are absolutely crazy and some are just outright dumb, one thing really touched me. One of the parent / faculty members of the school and organizer of the Hell House is a single father. His wife left him after having an internet affair and left him with the responsibility of raising their five children, two of whom appear to have severe birth defects or retardation.

This guy is a super-dad. And I could directly see that he needs the support system and belief system the school provides to keep himself from collapsing under the weight of his burden.

I guess what I'm saying here is this: I'm a non-christian, agnostic and have things pretty good in my life, I recognize that evangelizing is often wrong and extremely annoying-- but some people, including this guy's kids, are very seriously benefitting from this system. When you accept that great good also comes from born-agains, it makes this issue a more complex one.

[supernova]

1. Well, there's lots to said for

joining a community of faith. You get friendly attention and support where you need it and the opportunity to reciprocate with you can.

But Hell Houses aren't a healthy thing, IMO. I just shiver at the thought of scaring people into a relationship with God.

[Az]

2. Religions provide a lot more than rhetoric

They are entwined within society. They serve as extended families in our increasingly technologically isolated society. Villages no longer exist in a meaningfull way and thus it is left to religious communities to pick up the slack in this area. Ignoring this value is a fundimental mistake when castigating religions.

Of course this leads to a problem as well. If the only way to maintain such a beneficial structure is with the threat of eternal damnation, then groups of people that do not adhere to such belief sets find themself adrift without these common bonds. It is difficult to arrainge these extended families through reason alone.

There is danger within religious structures. But there is also benefit. This is true of many things. And it is in the extremes that the danger is realized.

[sable302]

7. Absolutely

"They serve as extended families in our increasingly technologically isolated society. Villages no longer exist in a meaningful way and thus it is left to religious communities to pick up the slack in this area. Ignoring this value is a fundamental mistake when castigating religions."

This is exactly why I am such a big church guy in my everyday life. You've said it so well. In my own situation, I've described religion as 'community where it otherwise would not be' and and have gotten the 'huh?' look from just about everybody. I hope you won't mind if I borrow your explanation next time.

[Lars39]

3. The HellHouse faction tends to vote against the interests of

the handicapped and elderly. How is this being supportive of this guy?

[dsc]

4. and your evidence for that is?

Some pro life members of Congress are among the most liberal Democrats as well as being among the most conservative Republicans.

[Lars39]

8. Personal observance.

[ihaveaquestion]

5. I saw it.

It was interesting and disturbing. Obviously, I didn't like the portrayal of gays as sinners likely to commit suicide and go to hell. More disturbing than that was the "invitation" to pray and be saved at the end - or else! It was at the very least an awkward moment for those not wishing to join in and may have seemed threatening to others. The implication being that if folks didn't join, they were doomed. Hardly makes Christianity attractive IMO.

[Arbustosux]

6. I did not like it at all....

Especially the part where the guy dying of AIDS was going to hell because he had not accepted Jesus Christ as his savior....and the young girl with her lower half saturated in blood (from an abortion)simply uttered the words that she accepted Christ and heaven was opened up to her...

These people frighten me...they may try to do some good but emember that good is slanted to their narrow minds and it also comes with a cost. At the end of the Hell House all the participants were herded into a prayer room where under penalty of eternal damnation that were encouraged to pray.

These are the same people filling Bushie's cofers with quick cash!

[John BigBootay]

9. You're not saying the film was bad...

...you're saying that you didn't like the subject matter, correct?

I guess that's a fair criticism. The film made me uncomfortable, as well, but I thought it was very non-judgemental, accurate and interesting. A look into a world I knew little about, but now I know a bit more.

on edit: BTW: I loved the kids who got in the organizer's face about the gay guy going to hell-- good part of the film.

[Arbustosux]

10. Actually, I enjoyed the film

I prefer documentaries anyways. I just didn't like this group of holiers than thou.

[noiretextatique]

11. it's not really that complex

i don't think hatred and fear are healthy messages to instill in children...even if it is from their god. the over-brudened father is getting social support...but at what price? what if one of his kids grows up to be such a believer that s/he takes the life of a gay person or an abortion provider? is that ultimately a "great good?"

[stopthegop]

12. if you look at actual numbers of homosexuals and doctors

killed by religious extremists, the chance of it happening is less than mininscule for a given family...there are arguements about Christianity, but this is not (IMO) a valid one...

[Zolok]

13. I saw it, and I remember thinking...

the money spent on the church's damn spook show could've done some serious medical care outreach in that poor fellow's life....
Well what of it?
Clearly "Hell House" was a way to escape his life for a few hours each Halloween...I suppose we shouldn't begrudge him.

www.chimesatmidnight.blogspot.com

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

14. I saw it and thought it was well-done and very sad

I thought it illustrated how a lot of people are well-meaning but are being misled into hating innocent scapegoats through fear and ignorance.

[Touchdown]

15. I saw it and I puked the same night.

The filmmakers didn't have to frame anything or spin it. They just let the cameras roll, and this church made fools of themselves all on their own.

God, it's scary out there. Do I have to be in Heaven with THEM?!

[maggrwaggr]

16. same guy made a doc called "Plutonium Circus" - - great film

George Ratliff -- he's a great guy, I used to know him in Austin. He's from the Amarillo area and he made this wonderful documentary called "Plutonium Circus" about this big military facility outside of Amarillo where they bury and destroy nuclear bombs and such.

It's a big part of the local economy and he just interviews people who live and work there and basically let them hang themselves on camera. It's very darkly funny but scary as hell.

I think you can get it on Amazon.