Hell to Pay: Christian Haunted Houses and Audience Reception

Christian haunted houses, like ordinary scare attractions, have been largely ignored by academics. However, the methods employed by these particular venues provide an interesting case study in terms of audience position to and reception of the event. This paper will discuss the intentions of Christian haunted houses, as well as the potential emotional impact of the displays, based on an exploration of the setup of the various venues. Drawing from academic work, interviews with those involved, and treatment of the phenomenon by secular sources, the aim of this paper is to provide new insights in what Christian haunted houses intend to do, and how they do it.