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Metroplex Atheists
METROPLEX ATHEISTS It's business as usual for local church, providing gratuitous, violent entertainment to youngsters. DALLAS, Oct. 18, 2005 -- Trinity Church of Cedar Hill continues to showcase the graphic suffering and death of children and teens in its annual "Hell House" haunted house fundraiser this month, despite a call for reforms from Metroplex Atheists. In September, Metroplex Atheists called on Trinity Church officials to restrict minors from viewing or working at its fundraiser, because the content is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. Scenes include a misanthrope shooting young children in a classroom, a human sacrifice, and a teen girl bleeding between the legs after an abortion. The church places no restrictions on age of the people who work at or attend Hell House. According to Trinity Church officials, Hell House was viewed by 11,000 people last year. Most are teens and pre-teens who pay $10 each for admission. Church youth groups come from all over the Metroplex to view Hell House. "This is not a typical haunted house with spooky music and actors dressed as Frankenstein yelling, 'Boo!'" said John Hattan, secretary of Metroplex Atheists. "This is graphic, gratuitous, violent entertainment and it is completely unsuitable for minors." Metroplex Atheists is also asking parents to think twice about allowing their children to view Hell House. "Just because this is taking place on the grounds of a church, or your child is making this trip with his or her church youth group, don't assume it is appropriate," Hattan said. Trinity Church of Cedar Hill is located at 1231 E. Pleasant Run Rd., Cedar Hill, Texas 75104. Telephone is 972-291-2501. Hell House runs through October 31. Metroplex Atheists is a Dallas/Fort Worth advocacy group that promotes reason and state/church separation, and calls attention to "faith-based" abuses of individuals and society by clergy, religious groups, and elected officials. Metroplex Atheists is affiliated with American Atheists and Atheist Alliance International. Web site: www.metroplexatheists.org. # # # Metroplex Atheists
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