Halloween Is Hell At Haunted Houses Of Christian Groups

There are no ghosts, goblins or ghouls.

There is, however, God. And a fiery entry to hell, where Satan slithers in a slick black cape as he reins in a young man who has rejected God.

At Judgment Day, an Everett church's spiritual version of a haunted house, Jesus Christ has become a big draw for families who want the thrill of a holiday production, but don't care for Halloween's usual cast members. They nix the witches and vampires for a chance to walk through an intense 30-minute graphic rendition of the Old and New Testaments.

This is among the latest volleys in the battle to take back Halloween by Christian groups across the country. In the past few years, some schools and neighborhoods have banned the holiday, citing paganism, witchcraft and commercialism. Some parent groups have asked schools to celebrate Harvest Festival instead of Halloween.

Now Christian groups are getting into the holiday mood, determined to show that Halloween has more to offer than the usual bag of tricks or treats. The holiday has become an unlikely and often graphic opportunity to preach the Gospel and rally the young against temptation. In churches across the country, young people are learning the lessons of good and evil in unusual Halloween productions that would make Hollywood proud, and some squeamish. A church in Denver has even made a small fortune selling its version of Hell House.

At Judgment Day in Everett, visitors take a whirlwind tour of the biblical years in dark rooms with strobe lights.

A snake tempts them in the Garden of Eden, and they watch Roman gladiators whip, torture and crucify Jesus Christ in the Blood Room.

"Here's something for you, Jesus," one gladiator barks as he pounds another nail into the cross.

"We're capitalizing on young people looking for haunted houses," said senior pastor Randy Remington of the New Life Center Foursquare Church in Everett.

"We present the story of the Bible in Reader's Digest form," Remington said. "People see it and hear it. It's really the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. We wanted people to be aware of the reality of hell and heaven."

Since Monday, a parade of young people has walked through Hell House at the First Assembly of God in Marysville. Here, church volunteers re-create scenes of suicide, a teenager choosing abortion and the funeral of a victim of gang violence. A demon is the narrator.

The first scene is from a bar where a young woman flirts with a man and then leaves with him.

"She's been married five times," the demon says as he winks. "And now it looks like she's found another man. She won't find the love she's looking for. But one thing I know - she's going to get AIDS."

Each scene is actual testimony from kids, said Benny Perez, a youth pastor at First Assembly.

There have been some complaints about the violence in the production, Perez said, but he insists the scenes are no different from what's shown on television.

"We don't need ghosts and goblins to scare people. We got hard-core reality," Perez said.

To reach young people, you have to be cutting-edge, said Keenan Roberts, an associate pastor at Abundant Life Christian Center in Denver.

Roberts also produces a Hell House at his church. A showy theatrical production, it depicts hot-button topics such as abortion, homosexuality and drug use with the help of strobe lights, smoke machines and pulsing music. No screams are spared.

"Hell House appeals to the sight-and-sound generation," Roberts said. "It preaches the Gospel. It deals with sin. It portrays vividly what sin has the power to do, and that is to bring great devastation. And it lifts up the name of Jesus as the answer."

Christian leaders say Halloween has been perverted. The Celts originally celebrated their new year on Nov. 1. It was believed the souls of the dead returned home on the eve of the holiday.

When Christianity grew, there was a blending of Celtic customs and beliefs. In the 800s, the Catholic Church established All Saints' Day, or Allhallows, on the same date. Oct. 31 later became known as Allhallows Eve, and then Halloween.

"We're taking Halloween back," Roberts said. "Instead of it being a pagan holiday, we're going to spread the good news of Jesus."

Spreading the Gospel on Halloween has become a hot commodity. Roberts has received more than 200 orders for his $149 Hell House package, which includes a 280-page manual, instructions on props, lighting and sound, and a videotape of the Denver production.

Associate pastor John Geiszler at the New Life Center said he created Judgment Day two years ago because there was nothing for young people to do during Halloween except to visit the usual haunted houses.

"I wanted something that showed more of a message," Geiszler said. "We're not trying to scare people even though it can be really intense. What we're trying to do is reveal the truths of the Bible."

Since it opened a week ago, up to 600 visitors a day have gone down to the basement of the church and through the 15 rooms that make up Judgment Day.

While they wait in line and munch on 50-cent hot dogs and nachos at the Judgment Day Cafe, visitors read biblical quotes posted outside the tour: "Eternal rewards await those who make wise choices."

At the end, all are asked to close their eyes and pray.

It's a different kind of Halloween, said Renee Leigh, 21, after the tour.

"It shows young people have a choice of who to follow, God or Satan."

Lily Eng's phone message number is 206-464-3312. Her e-mail address is: leng-new@seatimes.com

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Churches offer Halloween alternatives

Hell House is at First Assembly of God's Fellowship Center, 4705 Grove St., Marysville. Hours: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Suggested donation is $4. Children under 13 are not allowed.

Judgment Day is at the New Life Center Foursquare Church, 6830 Highline Drive, Everett. Hours: 6 to 11 p.m. Suggested donation is $2 for students, $3 for adults. Children under age 11 must be accompanied by an adult. No children under 8 years of age.

Both houses are closed after today.