Evangelist attracts crowds on campus

Appearances of religious evangelists are not an uncommon sight on campus, yet their appearance continually attracts attention and crowds of students. On Nov. 21, another evangelist visited Rio Hondo, spreading his message that "hypocrites, liberals, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, Sodomites, pornographers, pedophiles, fornicators, cross dressers, lesbians" and many others will go to hell if they do not repent.

The crowd reacted with visible skepticism.

The man stationed himself in the Upper Quad below the library with a large sign listing numerous racial, sexist, and social slurs.

Students responded with questions that were intended to cross-examine his authority and religious background.

The debate between many crowd members and the man grew increasingly heated as students began to yell out that the man is "stupid," "doesn't know what he's talking about" and unfamiliar with the Bible.

The man claimed that he "did not come to spoon-feed the Bible to (the students)," but rather that he came to " direct (students) to the Bible."

The self-proclaimed Born-Again Christian continued to call the crowd "heathen freaks" and telling students that they "will burn in hell for eternity."

When a female student began to question the man, he responded, "Mouthy women also go to hell."

Students told El Paisano that "people want to hear good news," and that as Christians, they are "disappointed" that he would present so harsh a message on behalf of other Christians.

Art and design professor Ron Reeder was present and commented to El Paisano that he did "not understand why he comes up here with an adversarial demeanor and (why the evangelist) is upset when students react in an adversarial, confrontational way."

Security officers and school officials remained nearby during the demonstration, however, during the showdown, they did not interfere. Identical events have occurred on campus in the past, and seemingly coincide with the holiday season and spring break.