Gay rights sparks open-air fight
A visit from a traveling evangelism school turns sidewalk into a battleground of ideas.
Erin Schaller
Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: News
|
More than 100 people debated homosexuality, a discussion prompted by a religious group known as the Faithful Soldier School of Evangelism. Students came to debate and protest the different views, and some brought homemade signs.
The Milwaukee-based school is doing a two-week tour of college campuses in the northern states.
Jason Storms, director of the school, said college campuses were chosen because they are where learning happens and the exchange of ideas is encouraged. He said it is students who are impressionable.
Members of the school were seen holding signs that read "Homosexuality is a Sin" and "Christ Can Set You Free."
"We love them as people, but we believe the behavior is unacceptable," said Storms. "This is not a message of hate. We just want to say there is hope.
You can find salvation through Christ; he will save you."
Storms also said the group was open to criticism. They understand disagreement and encourage debate.
On the other hand, like Hanna Rice, most students who saw the protest were critical of the School of Evangelism. Rice, who was holding a sign that said "Keep Hate off the SDSU Campus," was not alone. Many students were holding posters that said similar messages.
"They're making (homosexuals) out to be second-class people; and they are discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation," said Catherine Grandorff, an English and Spanish freshman.
Philosophy professor Dennis Bielfeldt said the students' reaction to make the protest into a debate did not surprise him.
"The country has made homosexuality into a civil rights issue and students want to defend that; but we don't realize there is a deeper issue," he said.
"In general, we must have discussion and conversation, and debate should be encouraged. Even on a sensitive subject such as this, we must err on the side of open debate."
The protest on campus comes with the November election looming in the near future. Amendment C is in question to Article XXI of the Constitution of the state of South Dakota relating to the definition of marriage. If voted to pass during the state elections on Nov. 7, the new section will read, "Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be valid or recognized in South Dakota."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Samuel Smith
posted 9/30/06 @ 11:46 PM CST
Great Article. I think that what this school is doing is very commendable. I thought they had a lot of good arguments and conducted themselves in a very Christian manner. (Continued…)
ann harjes
posted 10/02/06 @ 12:01 AM CST
Amendment C specifically prohibits civil unions, domestic partnership, "quasi-marital" relationships (can somebody define quasi-marital?). Suggesting this is a "gay marriage" amendment sad and misleading. (Continued…)
Chas Carpenter
posted 10/05/06 @ 10:45 AM CST
It's great to see healthy debate on the campuses of America's colleges. Those who think it's hate speech to say that homosexuality (sodomy) is sin have not yet been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus). (Continued…)
nebben
Zach Nebben
posted 10/05/06 @ 11:47 AM CST
And no, Chas, people aren't worried that *just* the 'poor sodomites' will have laws passed against them. There are plenty of other 'christianesque' laws that logical individuals would like to never see reach daylight. (Continued…)
Zach Nebben
posted 10/05/06 @ 1:59 PM CST
ok, that last post was before i saw your essay of a reply. i wasn't ignoring it, i just didn't see it. however, after reading that, i've decided that it is in my best interest to quit this conversation. (Continued…)
Zach Nebben
posted 10/05/06 @ 7:57 PM CST
You appearantly didn't understand my last comment. But, since you persist, i'm going to limit my retort (it was difficult narrowing down which argument to run with. (Continued…)
Alfred Merejilla
posted 10/10/06 @ 6:23 AM CST
This article brings hope to those homosexuals because I agree with these students from Faithful Soldier School of Evangelism that their meassage "...is not a message of hate. (Continued…)
Emily Wilkinson
posted 3/05/07 @ 7:09 PM CST
What a great school, and how wonderful that they are preaching the truth of the Gospel in all the places that need to hear it the most!! I met Ben Bloedorn on my campus, and just talking to him for 20 minutes or so, I can honestly say he's one of the most sincere/articulate guys my age that I've ever met. (Continued…)
Homosexuality marks an evolution of humans
posted 3/15/07 @ 10:47 PM CST
God Bless homosexuals for taking a stand against over-population and female control throughout the world. Women lack few qualities other than bearing children and raising them (often times poorly). (Continued…)
Speak the Truth
posted 2/15/08 @ 2:30 AM CST
This comment is for "Homosexuality marks an evolution of humans" do you think God will bless the homosexuals? do you really think a Righteouse judge will do that? Just as Jesus Christ said(Matthew 19:4-6)
And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. (Continued…)
Post a Comment