Potters House Halloween 'Hell House' Causes Controversy
A church in Texas is facing criticism from a local mother who thinks the haunted house they set up is too graphic and that it left her feeling violated.
The Potters House Christian Fellowship Church in Pasadena said the "Hell House" sends an important message and that the purpose of the display is to scare people, according to a KTRK report.
The church's Pastor, Lamont Melrose said, "The material we are using to scare people is reality. We want to give people the horror of what it is to go through an abortion."
Melrose added, "We want to give people the horror of what it is to deal with a rebellious son that commits suicide."
Linda Ybarra bought tickets for the "Hell House" for her family this past weekend and told KRTK she expected "the usual Halloween things."
"You know, zombies and ghouls and goblins. That kind of thing," Ybarra said.
She was surprised to see explicit scenes depicting people in Hell if they didn't accept Jesus as their savior.
Ybarra said the display left her feeling violated and that it brought up questions about serious moral issues she has yet to address with her 14-year-old son.
"There was a young lady lying on a gurney, and two nurses. And one of the nurses was reaching into the lady and pulling out a bunch of gunk, and throwing it on the floor," Ybarra said, telling of an abortion scene at the house.
She also said the scenes were too realistic and that there was no warning prior to entering the exhibit.
"I quickly realized that this is not something that I wanted to be at. So I asked if I could leave, and they did not allow us to leave," Ybarra said.
Melrose said people aren't allowed to turn around because of safety concerns. He also said the purpose of the house is to attract people toward Jesus.
The idea did not sit well with Ybarra.
"You don't convert children like that. Tell them that they are going to Hell and things like that. You just don't do that," she said.
Members of the church said they aren't shocked by complains about the display. They said it has been helping them save many young souls every night.
