Has anyone else ever heard of or experienced Christian scare tactics such as this?

Question

When I was in high school, about 15 or 16 years old, a lot of kids at my school attended a 'play' called "Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames" at the local Baptist Church. I went with my boyfriend at the time to see it because he belonged to the church and a friend of mine was in the play. The play basically depicted teens 'sinning' or making bad decisions and going to Hell, and other 'good' teens making good decisions and going to Heaven.

At the end of the play, the minister called upon those in the audience who hadn't been 'saved' to come down and be 'saved' from 'Hell's Flames'. Of course, several young people did so (including my boyfriend at the time). I was raised Catholic (am now atheist) and thought it ridiculous and remained in my seat.

At the time I didn't really realize or even care what was going on. Now looking back I am appalled by the fear tactics used that night to get people to convert.

*Shivers*

Please do not mistake the use of the term "scare tactics". I was not afraid because I didn't buy into it. What scares me is those who were gullible enough to do so.

Answer 1

Religious leaders will do anything to increase their congregation (=more money). Fear has been used throughout history to make people do as their religious leaders dictate. That's why "hell" was created. So there would be the ultimate fear. I was raised by southern baptists and know the intimidation's they can put kids through! I would think this would be considered mental abuse, but I guess because it's done on the pretense of religion, it's supposed to be ok.

Answer 2

I grew up in the Pentecostal religion (and survived!), so I know exactly what you are talking about.

Everything about the religious teachings I received from as young as I can remember was fear and hellfire and brimstone based. Visiting evangelists were the worst! They could scare the daylights out of you. I remember this one story they all seemed to know, where the 'altar call', as they're called in the Pentecostal religion, would be given, but the teenager wouldn't go down and be saved. After the service, the teenager gets hit by (always some huge vehicle, like an 18 wheeler or something), is killed and spends eternity in hell.

I'm not sure how I came out of that mentally intact. The youth in the church always seemed to be the target for being made to feel guilty, shamed and bound for hell if we didn't do this, this and this. There were always these LONG lists of 'don't do this' and 'you have to do this'.

As an adult, I now just follow a spiritual path, rather than a religious one. I agree with you, using fear tactics is a sorry way to show someone the way to Christ.

To the 'supporters' of places like hell house - I think being taught the love, the mercy and the grace of God is a MUCH more effective way of teaching a child about Christ. Using fear-based, strong-arm tactics just isn't the way to teach a child or young person about God. I don't serve Christ because I want to avoid hell, (whatever it turns out to be, or not be, for that matter), I serve God because of God's love, mercy and grace.

Great question!

Answer 3

I was reading a book written by Goldie Hawn and she talked about when school's were showing films about getting hit by NUKES in the 70's and how scared she was, hiding under tables, traumatized thinking America would get nuked. The thing is it's a very real possiblity but maybe didn't need to scare the children with it. Hell is real also but both the Babtists and the Government got carried away with their supposed "need" to inform.

Answer 4

I have heard that a lot of the Baptist church , and can not figure out why they do that....

I think that is the depiction of Christianity that many people have run in to and that is not what Christians are about at all...

I am terribly sorry that you were exposed to such...

they are a big reason so many people turn away from God....

Answer 5

It's pretty scary. I am a Christian and I can tell you right now that this is wrong. How can you trust someone if that person only scares you into doing something? No, trust is built up by love, and especially acts of love. Also, a person does not convert until the Spirit moves in that person, and that person makes a conscious decision to follow Jesus.

Answer 6

Christy,
We do not do so where I attend nor do our Elders believe that this is any way to treat people. I love our little church and it's wonderful members. There is a Baptist Church that has a Christmas Play every year similar to the one that you spoke of and they are very similar in tactics. I am a Christian who reads, studies, and obeys the BIBLE as it is written. I do NOT believe that man should add HIS creeds to religious services. Thanks for the opportunity to respond. Have a wonderful weekend.
Yours,
Eds



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Answer 7

Oh yeah. I was unfortunate enough to actually attend a Christian school for a while and I was scare-tacticked into a nervous breakdown before I was 16.

In fact, it's the MAIN reason I'm no longer a Christian.

Answer 8

I can relate. I was raised a Muslim but am now an atheist. My father told us horror stories about hell from a very young age. He told of intense fires burning you alive, giant spider and snakes that would eat out our eyes. Yup, but you've gotta be careful that you're not being blind-sighted by fear.

Answer 9

Sounds nice and ridiculous. Fortunately, I don't remember anything like that at my high school. I do recall going with a friend to some kind of Christian "Fun Day" carnival event, where we got to do all the usual stuff like rides, etc. But then at the end of the day they took us into this auditorium and showed us this bizarre film in which we learned that pop culture is the tool of Satan, deceiving people away from the faith, etc. They kept showing "disturbing images" from horror films as examples. It was extremely weird and creepy, but not in the way they intended. I also remember that every time some loser came up to me and went into his Jesus schtick, I just told him that I was Catholic (now atheist, lol) and that their voodoo didn't work on me.

Answer 10

I have attended this play as well! Actually just seen an advertisement for it at one of the local churches again. It is a scare tactic and a horrible one.

If I am going to depict something to try to encourage someone to get saved I would want to depict the love and mercy of my God. . .not the wrath of hell.