thanks for the comment, bgivens.
funny is a way to look at it.
people i know have said that these tactics were no different than watching a horror movie or going to a regular "haunted house"...because, as they see it, you still can choose to accept or reject the "scare tactics".
unfortunately, it still seems to be "propaganda" disguised within "religion", and akin to doing business on the "steps of the Temple". A lot of confused, lonely, hurting people will buy the hell, fire and brimstone side of God, because they are so mad at themselves and feel that they deserve to be punished...never understanding that heaven/or the concept, thereof, is found through following the true teachings of Jesus and accepting the message of Love that God has written on all of our hearts, if only we would listen.
God knows we will stumble and fall many times, and He is always there with "bandaids", and love to help us heal...we can come freely to Him...no need to "scare" us to Him.