Soulwinners create stir at flagpoles

By Daing S. Nasir
Western Herald

(Karie Kuiper / Western Herald) Jay Johnson, left, and Jim Randal, WMU sophomores, argue with Tamika Venyah from Soulwinner Ministries International over her controversial evangelical preaching on Monday afternoon at the flagpoles in front of Sangren Hall.

Soulwinners Ministries International preached on campus for their first day this semester, at the Western Michigan University flagpoles on Sept. 29.

The evangelicals created a commotion at the event where approximately 80 students at a time went against them in question of religion, truth and revelation of the Holy Bible. Students and many passer-bys stopped to participate in the much heated debate.

What started the commotion? Individual perspectives of students seemed dismayed by what was meant to be a religious outreach at first, but turned into a heated attack on topics of personal faith and beliefs.

These topics included: negation towards prominent non-Christian religions, drinking, drug abuse and most popularly discussed, fornication acts. Even certain sects of the Christian faith were condemned outspokenly to the crowd, which aggravated students to go up and question the evangelicals.

“I think it’s a comedy show,” Veronica James, a bystander said. “You just can’t point out groups and say that they’re going to hell for it.”

Students walking to and from class couldn’t help but to indulge in the controversial outreach. Some even engaged in a biblical standoff, one-on-one with each preacher debating verses and interpretation.

“Everything they say seems elitist,” Jessica Thomas, a freshman majoring in anthropology said. “If what they say is true then heaven is going to be a lonely place.”

“Soulwinners Ministries International have a permit and their actions are valid and legally bound,” WMU police officer Carol Dedow said.

“I can’t believe that they are here again,” David Topping, a double major in communication and gender studies said. “I am gay. Saying that homosexuals will go to hell won’t make me feel safe being on campus. I need to feel safe.”

“The whole occasion is laughable,” senior Bobby Brazen, an English major said. “Judging people by telling them they will go to hell because they smoke and masturbate isn’t preaching. I think it’s too ethnocentric.”
When asked about permit issues and religious vulnerability, Director of Student Activities, Chris Sligh referred to the RSO Handbook, on the Free Speech Triad.

“As an open community, WMU protects freedom of expression and powerfully affirms civility. As such, all members of the University community and all those who visit our community are expected to respect the rights and dignity of others. In support of these principles and the marketplace of ideas, WMU has established ‘The Triad’ as an area for outdoor expression. This area stretches from the Promenade Tent and Kruglak Sundial to the Computer Center and Waldo Library Complex to Wood Hall. Use of The Triad must be registered with Student Activities and Leadership Programs (SALP) before one may use this space,” according to the handbook.

Students crowded around a sign by the organizers, which read, “You deserve hell to Jesus Christ, repent and be saved.”

“It makes me angry that he doesn’t believe in us and assuming the position of God himself,” Michelle Foos, a sophomore majoring in speech pathology said.

“Please keep in mind that the SALP Office does not support any individual threats or derogatory comments directed towards individuals of the Western Michigan University community,” Sligh said. “SALP  obviously does not agree or support every opinion and belief that is shared or expressed in the Free Speech Triad.”

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=960

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Sep 30 2008. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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