:eyes:
Church presents a hell of a Halloween SNIP:
OGDEN -- Heaven is an easy pitch. It's hell that's hell to sell.
Which is why an evangelical Christian church here spends several nights each fall trying to scare the wits out of children and adults who otherwise might not think about eternity.
The Potter's House Christian Center's haunted house, called "Walk Through Hell" this year, has the requisite Halloween season scares. But Dave Bartelson, acting assistant pastor, says it also packs a message many don't want to hear: There is a hell and it doesn't take much to get there.
"We take every opportunity to take the gospel and bring it to the people in a way they can relate to," Bartelson said. "A lot of people love to be scared."
In fact, Potter's House has more than doubled its number of regular attendees at Sunday services in less than three years.
SNIP:
Many of those standing in line for Walk Through Hell on Wednesday night, including some Potter's House members, laughed off questions about whether they believe in hell and if so, what it's like.
"I believe in heaven. I don't believe in hell," said one 14-year-old.
"I think it's a red-hot firin' place," said Shanae Sanders, her friend.
"Hell is where people go when they smoke weed," offered Mikel Rhodes.
(I guess I'm goin' to hell!) Young adults were more philosophical. "Man creates his own hell," said Racquel Welsh. "God loves us all. He died for us and so we'll go to heaven no matter what."
"My hell would be having to relive all the things I've done to people," said Pat Dykes.
"What do you define as hell?" asked Jonathan Tarrats. "I think we all go to heaven."
Bartelson says such notions spring from a culture made numb by evil. "Deep down inside, most of them believe there is a heaven and a hell. Because of society, they have gone cold about it. It's up to us as Christians to warn them. We're trying to keep people out of hell."
SNIP:
Certainly Mormons, Catholics and other Christians -- not to mention crime victims and the well-to-do -- might find that being portrayed as condemned is insulting and wrong. Bartelson said the other faiths were singled out because his church believes their doctrines and devotions will undermine their salvation. And the other characters, he said, are meant to convey the idea that each person could be condemned if he or she put anything before Jesus Christ.
"Some people don't like the truth. That's why they freak out," said Angie Archuleta, a spectator who is not a member of Potter's House.
Donna Duran, who is, said she liked the idea of her seven children seeing a graphic depiction of what hell might be like.
"I want them to know there is a real heaven and a real hell so they'll make the right choices in life," she said.
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http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Oct/10312003/utah/107019.aspI think it is SAFE to say that most DUers (hell MOST people) under these standards are going to hell. At least we'll all be able to have a large DU bash when we all die! :bounce:
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