Scaring `Hell' Out Of Teens

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Christian alternative "haunted house" will try to literally scare the hell out of teenagers through realistic depictions of suicide, sexual deception and the judgment of God.

"Judgment House" at Two Rivers Baptist Church expects about 10,000 teens to see its 30-minute drama about two teenage boys, one who leans toward faith in Christ, the other who blows his brains out and lands in hell.

It starts Wednesday and runs through Halloween night.

Organizers said they are not worried that Judgment House is too heavy-handed or guilt-inducing. Still, it is closed to youths below 7th grade.

"Do you ignore the problem of suicide? It's a real-life problem, and we're trying to offer hope," said Mike Cowart, a spokesman for the Judgment House project.

"People have a choice in life. This is about getting people to think about the consequences of their decisions."

Judgment Houses have become popular alternative Halloween events with evangelical churches that worry that the usual haunted-house motifs have become too gory or unchristian.

One scene at Two Rivers' Judgment House shows a confrontation between high-school student Blake and his girlfriend moments after they've had sex. With the sheets pulled up to her neck, the girl accuses him of using her sexually.

Another scene shows another student, Jonathan, walking in on his parents during a shattering argument that ends their marriage.

Falling into despair, he plays Russian roulette with a loaded pistol until the stage suddenly goes dark and a shot is heard.

Judgment House is using sophisticated sound equipment, fog machines and the volunteer help of 300 actors and assistants, mostly church members. Groups of 10 are guided from skit to skit, following the two teens' progress, until each arrives at his destiny - heaven or hell.

Heaven is a vast party of the beloved, a room of color and laughter, classical music and happy people, with angel food cake on the table, Cowart said - "No sadness, a nonstop party."

Hell, on the other hand, will be a dark foggy place where miserable people cry for help that never comes, he said.

"Hell is a horrible place, from what I read in the Bible," Cowart said. "We're trying to do everything we can to keep people out of hell. So, yes, we do hope to scare you out of hell."