Commercial haunted houses
File:Hell House Video Act (The Dark Destiny from SPAN Ministries) in Tallmadge, Ohio.ogv
An act from "The Dark Destiny", a haunted hell house run annually by The 4:12 of S.P.A.N. (Shepherd's Pasture For All Nations) Ministries of Tallmadge, Ohio. The description of the annual event is "a series of dramatic events, acted out by dedicated and talented college students to show observers how decisions and lifestyle choices can mean the difference between life and death."
Further information: Haunted attraction
The concept of the haunted house was capitalized on and commercial haunted houses sprung up all over the country[where?]. An estimated 3,500 to 5,000 professional haunted attractions operate in the United States.In addition, around the time of Hallowmas, many Christian churches run a type of haunted house known as a hell house, which while being a haunted house, also promotes the Christian gospel message. According to USA Today, in hell houses, "participants walk through several 'scenes' depicting the consequences of things like abortion, homosexuality and drunkenness.