Faith or Fear?

Ok, I'm going to risk offending someone, but this is my blog, so I can express my thoughts, and if you can add any insight to counterpoint to this, I welcome it.
That said...today I realized evangelical christians scare the crap out of me! Seriously! I am a firm believer in balance; that any extremes are bad. And these people are definately the extreme. I had Jehovas Witnesses at my door...thankfully they left with a simple "I'm sorry, but I don't believe the same things you do and I really don't have the time to get into a discussion about it." I've actually gotten into religious discussions with these people before...and had an older man shake my hand & left respecting me despite the fact that I'm Catholic. But what really disturbed me was the fact they were dragging their children around with them. Little kids, no more than 10 and as young as about 6, dressed in long sleeves & trousers (or skirts) on a humid 90+ degree day, while all the other kids are running around playing & swimming. Is this the self-sacrifice God expects of us? Somehow, I don't think so.

Then I had to satiate my curiousity and watch the documentary "Jesus Camp". Wow...talk about scary! These evangelical Christians are only perpetuating fear in children. They are teaching them ridiculous things like "there is no such thing as global warming". Ok, its one thing to argue creationism vs. evolution (a pointless argument to me as I believe they go hand in hand) but its another thing to say global warming is a lie. What?? Are you kidding me? (Watch "An Inconvenient Truth" please!) They are teaching kids that God allows us to hate anyone who doesn't believe what they believe. They are telling kids things like"Harry Potter is evil & would be killed if this was during the Old Testament". Uh...hello....have you actually read the Old Testament? 1. Taught in parables. 2. If you are going to say that is the teaching of the Bible to believe then you sure as heck better not be eating an shellfish or certain meats either. People, you don't get to pick & choose which parts of the Bible suit your needs! And by virtue of calling yourselves "Christians" that means you believe in Jesus Christ, and therefore the teachings of the New Testament...stories of love & kindness & forgiveness. Jesus embraced the outcasts for a reason...to show love to ALL. *sigh*

I truly believe our American media perpetuates fear. These people simply live by it, and unfortunately, are breeding a new generation with fear AND hate.
Update: I feel like I have to say, so I don't sound like a hypocrite...I don't expect others to believe what I believe. That's why I welcome any opposing views...or support.