What is broken in some Christian conservative families is the rule when it applies to family. Both Phyllis Schafly and Anita Bryant have gay sons, though they did not know that when they became spokespersons for a very rigid kind of Christianity. As far as I know, they still believe gays are going to Hell, but apparently make an exception for their offspring.

So, the Mom in the documentary ran off with a guy she met on the 'Net? Perhaps Al Barger has been holding out on us.

What astonishes me about this brand of Christianity is that it sort of ignores the very FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY, i.e., forgiveness through grace. People are sinners - we all must be forgiven.

Yeah, it is kind of contradictory because they will forgive you if you will accept Jesus Christ as your savior, but I assume that also means giving up whatever thing people think is wrong. So a gay person would have to give up their "wrong" sexuality, accept Jesus, and start dating the opposite sex? I just don't want to be a part of anything that excludes good people for things that I find unrelated to religious spirituality.

I give up. Why does the above article end with a picture of "Becoming a Contagious Christian" and "Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary"? I know Bill Hybels, Mark Mittelberg, and Lee Strobel personally, and none of them would want anything to do with the views you describe as espoused by "Hell House". I cannot imagine Willowcreek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, where Hybels is pastor and I participate using such methods.

I apologize if I offended you. When we post articles we go through Amazon to find related materials. In this case, I was only looking for books that would relate to Christians. The inclusion of these books (which I haven't read) is not an indictment of the authors in any way shape or form or a suggestion of their inclusion in practices of the church featured in the documentary. I put them there only because they had to do with Christianity.

Jim: I took it as a positive thing... a contrast to the 'hell house' facade. I have read both of the above books, and hold Bill Hybels, Mark Mittelberg, and Lee Strobel in high regard.

as to the entire 'hell house' issue, it completely enrages me. That said, I tend to look at as misguided enthuasism. There are a lot of good orgs that are enthuastic about their causes, but enlist some of the most bizare and ineffective methods (like PETA).

While I do believe in some of the concepts they were trying to get across, I think that they are too immersed in the psudo-christian culture to recognize that their methods are offensive and they are painting with too wide of a paintbrush. There are effective teaching methods that don't involve offending half the population.

Frost, I appreciate your opinion. That was ultimately my impression as well. I don't disagree with everything they said, but I feel like creating an environment of exclusivity isn't the way to positively influence people and things around their church. Also, while there is something to be said for shocking people, there is quite another thing to be said for enraging and alienating.

word craig.

I've been against the whole 'hell house' deal for several years. Here's why:

1.) Most of these issues are deeply personal issues that involve teaching someone that what they have done is fundamentally breaking their relationship with God. Plays have a hard time expressing that on a personal level for 90% of people.

2.) A mixed bag of messages. Did the woman go to hell for being raped or for commiting suicide? I know where they are going, but it was probably not very well thought out... they never are.

3.) It doesn't protray the life of love that Christians are called to live. Instead it leads people to think we are all a bunch of assholes who think we have the corner market on truth and morality.

4.) Although some of the points they are expressing could have a direct Biblical mandate drawn to them, they are not done in any sort of encouraging, uplifting, or hopeful manner. Instead it's extremes and what-if situations. Very shoddy theology with ineffective turn-or-burn jabs.

I wasn't too clear on #2. I meant to say "I know where the Church was going with this..." sorry bout that.

any organization that says a gay man is going to hell because he has AIDS is totally not okay. " He thought he would be a real man and now he's dying of AIDS" and in that whiny little tone too. Its messed up. I am so glad I am gay and if i'm going to hell at least I won't be stuck on a cloud with all those creepy people I saw in that movie

I think you are all wrong. I just finished watching this documentary and am nursing my sides since they were about to split. This is about the most hilarious piece of cinema I have ever seen.

How could one not laugh at the man looking at his computer and declaring to his daughter that her mother is cheating on him? Especially in light of the actor who moonlights as a pro wrestler. Did you hear me? He gets dressed up in man panties and rolls around with other men! For fun even!

What about the purported DJ who for some "ungodly" reason could not remember the name of "the date-rape" drug? From the looks of that feller, he should not only know the name, but also have a chemistry set to mass-produce it for himself.

Don't forget the looks of all the people going through the "Hell Haus" "acting" as though they were scared. Remember the lil' kid with bulging eyes as if he just got goosed by the preacher.

My personal favorite was the longest seconds in the world worked out by the joker trying to recruit more of the "saved". I am not sure if he was using an atomic clock connection to count of his seconds, but perhaps time is a little different in Jesus' waiting room. His speech was so terrible that he needed a ringer to get the club going.

And at the risk of giving away the ending, there is nothing like a lonely girl short on style stressed with the burden of a "bad world" waiting to be Jesus' bride.