2008 Woodie Awards
EDITORIAL: Controversial religious speakers
Message of intolerance deters exchange of ideas
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Opinion
"SDSU is spreading the Chlamydia and it's going to come to you," said Sister Cindy. Apparently "the Chlamydia" has become so strong that it now functions as its own entity. On Feb. 27, Evangelist, Brother Jed and his wife Sister Cindy (Mrs. Brother Jed), invaded the CSUSM campus and gave a modern twist to what might resemble the Great Awakening - the good old fire and brimstone days.
Mr. and Mrs. Brother Jed reduced themselves to nothing but adolescent school children when they started singling out students and calling them "lesbians" based on their attire. Female students were deemed "whores" while male students were called "whoremongers." Their "sermon" served more as a comedy hour while students gathered around to retort their outrageous and invalid claims. Brother Jed and his wife's harrowing remarks and messages of religious intolerance do not encourage substantial discussions -- like the ones facilitated in our classrooms -- but rather, a spectacle where hateful speech is met with angry replies. The pair distastefully provoked the crowd by using cheap and petty remarks to generate attention.
Luckily, members of InterVarsity, CSUSM's Christian community, serve as the antithesis to Brother Jed's intolerant and bigoted message. Last Tuesday, the group aimed to counteract the negative impression of Christians left by Brother Jed and Co. While individuals like Brother Jed and his wife come and go on our campus, InterVarsity's message of tolerance should serve as a constant reflection of our Christian community here at CSUSM.
Mr. and Mrs. Brother Jed reduced themselves to nothing but adolescent school children when they started singling out students and calling them "lesbians" based on their attire. Female students were deemed "whores" while male students were called "whoremongers." Their "sermon" served more as a comedy hour while students gathered around to retort their outrageous and invalid claims. Brother Jed and his wife's harrowing remarks and messages of religious intolerance do not encourage substantial discussions -- like the ones facilitated in our classrooms -- but rather, a spectacle where hateful speech is met with angry replies. The pair distastefully provoked the crowd by using cheap and petty remarks to generate attention.
Luckily, members of InterVarsity, CSUSM's Christian community, serve as the antithesis to Brother Jed's intolerant and bigoted message. Last Tuesday, the group aimed to counteract the negative impression of Christians left by Brother Jed and Co. While individuals like Brother Jed and his wife come and go on our campus, InterVarsity's message of tolerance should serve as a constant reflection of our Christian community here at CSUSM.
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