Pastor Stephen, I totally respect you and your knowledge in Christ.
I just feel uncomfortable judging others so harshly, but that's just me...
We never truly know how the lives of others goes unless we've been there. He may have had an obligation (contract, etc.) to be there. I'm not trying to make excuses for sinful behaviors or choices, I'm just saying, why speak so harshly about someone we don't even know?
But again, it's just me. I respect that we can disagree
, I just wanted to bring another perspective to the table. After all, Jesus sat and ate at the houses of tax collectors (which, in His day, WAS the epitome of "HellFest" to the people, ESPECIALLY the religious experts)--He even ASKED to go there. And, He allowed Himself to be annointed--humanly touched!! By a "sinful" woman.
And all the teachers of the law condemned Him heavily for it. (Being called the prince of demons is a pretty heavy slam.)
But we all know what happened... Jesus flatly told them that the tax collectors and prostitutes were entering heaven... and the the religious leaders were the ones on their way to a very warm ending.
I'm certainly not saying everyone at HellFest and other such gatherings are going to heaven... but I wonder how much God wants us to speak against such people.
How about if we pray for them and ask God to bring their hearts to Him and bless them instead?
It just seems more Godly than criticism without even knowing them.
P.S. Yes, I do admit that after seeing Brian with the young kids at my church, the ones everyone else has a hard time reaching, I'm a bit biased towards believing in the good in his heart.