Hardcore Faith discussion

Recently, a group of teenagers, after noticing I'm currently reading Day of War by Cliff Graham and complimenting my taste in books (though it's a bit mature for teens), I decided to see if they were into horror. Turned out they were... but what in this world is horror anymore? The answers, I knew, were predictable.
"Blood, guts."
"Blood, a lot of gore."
"Serial killers and lots of swearing."
"What they said."

Honestly, I was surprised no one mentioned sex. In most horror movies anymore, there's either at least toplessness or at least one sex scene. I didn't metnion that to them, though. I challenged what they believed to be true. Horror is when something evokes a powerful feeling of nervous, anxiety, dread, terror, etc. It doesn't need to have to do with serial killers, demons, etc. You take out the killers, demons, ghosts, etc, and all you got left is "drama", which saddens me that what is one's own personal horrific nightmare is (to another) one's everyday drama. As an asprigin author, I gave them the premise to one of my darker horror ideas, called "An Extreme Trial", dealing with satanism, secrets between friends, and, among the darkest taboos in American culture today, domestic torture. But I won't write it to just write some jumpfest, or test someone's stomach, I want to write about the practicality of certain "Christianese" statements many churches have the congregation uses but rarely are ever taught the meaning.
Back in college, the guys' Bible Study group I was in, one week, had an interesting challenge, define certain "Churchey" words (rejoice, hallelujah, praise, etc.) without sounding religious about it. Turned out, we didn't know how to define them in a realistic, secular kind of way (I went to a secular, liberal college, Marshall University). I realized that, aside from what one's taught about words, we really don't know (in a personal way) what they mean. So, in this story, I decided to discover a practical, hands-on meaning of "the Lord is always with you." Though the satanists in the story are ruining each friend's view of each other, one has a devastating secret all their life that's challenged that one not only on God's character of being a good god, but His existence altogether. But through this one experience, that friend finds out that what may seem like a curse is actually, in the darkest of times, a good thing.
What's your take on the reality of horror? And you can go ahead and use old-fashioned horror and new as references.

I've noticed that as of late, there are ALOT of horror movies that don't have sex or nudity in them. I'm sure hoping that is getting to be a passing trend.

I personally find horror to be the realities of what could happen during the worst of times. Something that shows the dark side of good people.

What are you guys reading, other than Ted Dekker?

Joseph Nassise, Dean Koontz, Estevan Vega, Tim LaHaye, Mike Duran, Robin Parrish, Michael Crichton, George RR Martin, Anne Rice. Soon, there will be a few others. Not all of them are Christian in any way, but it doesn't stop me from checking them out. Soon, Rene Gutteridge, Pete Turner, Eric Wilson, Keven Newsome, and Greg Mitchell will be added to the current reading list.

Sounds great, Jason!:)

Impressive list there Jason.

Impressive, indeed.:)
George R.R. Martin is one of my favorite writers.

Love George RR Martin!

I haven't read anything by him. I started to read The Game Of Thrones but I wasn't in the mood so I put it back.

Aww, that's too bad, Tracy, because you're missing out on something really great, IMO!

Isnt he more sci-fi than anything else?

I could be wrong, but I think he's more fantasy, or at least his currently well-known series, A Song of Ice and Fire, is fantasy.

Oh, OK not that I don't like sci-fi I was just curious.

Well, the Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF) series is definitely fantasy, but he also writes sci-fi.

And to think we've gone from what horror is to the genre of Mr. Martin. We get sidetracked quite easily, don't we?

Yes Jason, we do. Getting back on track, I just finished BoneMan's Daughters and it was fantastic! I had to set it aside a couple of times and I had to do a little light reading after so I could sleep but it is a great book. Out of the books of Dekker's that I have read it is his best.

Wow Tracy, you really think BoneMan's Daughter's one of Dekker's best!?!

I do Dustin and you know how I feel about the Circle series. It was really good. I loved Emmanuel's Veins and The Priests Graveyard but Boneman's Daughters was by far better.

That one was pretty intense, not just at the time, but even now. I wonder what you would think of for his book The Priest's Graveyard?

Jason, I loved The Priests Graveyard but I think Boneman's Daughters topped it. I liked The Priests Graveyard immensely because it was so, well out of character for the character. To have a priest do what he did and you still empathize with him. You hope he gets away with it. Dekker is a fabulous author.

Yes, he is a fantastic writer! He's definitely one of my favorites!

My fave of his will still be his story of demon-possession, Adam. First one to truly give me the frightening chills.

Ohh man Jason! I haven't read that one. My TBR pile keeps growing. I won't be able to get back on GR again until it goes down.

Tanya has had Adam since this last summer, and has read about 100 something pages, but she hasn't finished it yet. I really want to read it, though!

Well since we've been discussing Dekker, I am very much looking forward to finishing the Circle series. I'm roughly 15 chapters into it. Yay!

I have yet to read Green. I went to the library to check it out but they wouldn't let me have it because it was to damaged. They said they would order another copy but that will take a month. Oh well, what's a girl to do?

I thought you'd read Green, Tracey..

No I haven't Dustin and I was really disappointed when they wouldn't let me check it out.

I really like it a lot, so far. I think I'm 15 chapters into it. I'm sure you'd enjoy it, as well.:)
..So the library really wouldn't allow you to check it out just because of how damaged it is..?

Never heard of a library like that.

I haven't, either..

That's right Dustin but they did get another one pretty quick. It's weird though because it isn't new but it also isn't the one they wouldn't let me check out. Not sure where they got it but I really don't care as long as I have it.

Oh, I am so glad that you have a copy! Green is just amazing, IMO! I'm thinking it might just be my favorite of the series (which I should be done with in a few days, BTW!!)

Way to go Dustin! I have yet to start it because I have many ahead of it but hope to start it soon.

Thank you, Tracy.
And you simply must, MUST read Green as soon as you can!!
It really brings the series around full circle (no pun intended,) and closure to everything, IMO.