Protest causes campus chaos
Religious ministry draws large crowd, anger
Brad Maxwell
Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
|
Three men preaching and carrying signs reading "homo sex is sin," "homo sex is a threat to national security" and other phrases drew strong reactions from USC students who gathered to listen and contest.
"It's ridiculous," said Corey Craig, a third-year Spanish student who combated the protest by handing out SC Gay Pride cards and talking against the protestors.
"I'm used to it, but this is totally against the Carolinian Creed," Craig said.
Craig, who is Jewish, was also upset that the protests occurred during his Holy Week.
A man who went only by the name J.K. lead the protest, reading quotes from the Bible and proclaiming that homosexuals and other sinners will go to hell.
Michael Venyah, founder of Soulwinners Ministries International, the Michigan-based group organizing the demonstration, said the protesters plan to be on campus from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day this week.
Steve Lefemine, one of the protesters carrying a sign, is a pro-life missionary working with Soulwinners.
"We are an evangelistic ministry. Lord willing, we will be here throughout this week," Lefemine said.
Kaye Torgersen, a fourth-year history student, said she heard the protestors from the library she got there, around 12:30 p.m.
"It's surprising how many students are interacting. It's a mockery really," Torgersen said.
Two USCPD officers on the scene would not comment.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 41
Sal Fontana
posted 9/18/07 @ 12:55 AM EST
Why is this a "mockery"? as student Kaye Torgerson suggests.
Isn't tolerance advocated on the USC campus?
Tolerance must also include those views that one is opposed to, or vehemently disagrees with, to indeed be "tolerant". (Continued…)
Teresa Dunlap
posted 9/18/07 @ 8:05 AM EST
I for one am a Christian. And I do agree that homosexuality is wrong and that it is a sin, however, judging people like that and trying to shove it in peoples faces isn't winning anyone to Christ. (Continued…)
anti-hypocrites
posted 9/18/07 @ 8:48 AM EST
Those people make me sick to my stomach and when I walked through the crowd yesterday, I had all I could do to not hit one of them.
I think we should do one of two things: not provide them with the forum they so desparately want, that is, don't counter-protest, just ignore them. (Continued…)
Laura
posted 9/18/07 @ 8:56 AM EST
We are all sinners and all sin is equal so to point one person's sin out over another is hypocritical. Jesus taught christians to love one another not to condemn and judge. (Continued…)
Andrew Barber
posted 9/18/07 @ 8:58 AM EST
I would like to state that I myself am a Christian, but these protests are completely unbiblical and unrepresentative of Jesus Christ. One of the most beautiful doctrines of Christianity, equality, essentially doesn't allow us to be self-righteous about anything and especially not hateful towards sinners, as we are all sinners. (Continued…)
J Rockstar
posted 9/18/07 @ 9:32 AM EST
It's sad when Christian organizations like Soulwinners are more focussed on forcing their opinion and stirring up trouble rather than sharing Christ's love. (Continued…)
Rob
posted 9/18/07 @ 10:34 AM EST
If heaven is full of Soulwinners Ministries types, hell ain't looking so bad.
David Vandiver
posted 9/18/07 @ 10:47 AM EST
Don't any of these uneducated losers have a job? More importantly what braintrust at USC let them onto the campus. Further this extremist snakehandling sect DO NOT embody the message of Christianity. (Continued…)
Anna Smith
posted 9/18/07 @ 10:56 AM EST
On behalf of the Christian community, I want to apologize to all those who were hurt and offended by yesterday's protest. I, myself, was offended that a group of people claiming to be a ministry of God would display such hate, judgment, and irrationality in the name of Jesus. (Continued…)
Pat Davis
posted 9/18/07 @ 11:53 AM EST
I always considered a university a place where ideas and convictions were examined,discussed, debated and solidified so that a mature,socially engaged person emerges. (Continued…)
Post a Comment