I'm just wondering, and if this turns into an awkward or unnecessarily political thread, I'll lock it.
Anybody get accosted by the Westboro Baptist style street evangelists yesterday? We have a spot in the little league lot (across from the elm street gym). They didn't attack us directly because we are under the trees, hidden, and aren't easily sucked into drama. I did, however, have to go a couple of spots over and intervene because I was concerned that the confrontation over there was going to turn violent. I ignored the "preacher" and just talked to the guy who'd decided to argue with him. (it only worked temporarily, but whatever).
I've seen these folks out there the past couple of years, but they seem to becoming more aggressive? Or have I just been missing them when we parked in the Jungle?
(09-02-2012 12:37 PM)Lethemeul Wrote: I'm just wondering, and if this turns into an awkward or unnecessarily political thread, I'll lock it.
Anybody get accosted by the Westboro Baptist style street evangelists yesterday? We have a spot in the little league lot (across from the elm street gym). They didn't attack us directly because we are under the trees, hidden, and aren't easily sucked into drama. I did, however, have to go a couple of spots over and intervene because I was concerned that the confrontation over there was going to turn violent. I ignored the "preacher" and just talked to the guy who'd decided to argue with him. (it only worked temporarily, but whatever).
I've seen these folks out there the past couple of years, but they seem to becoming more aggressive? Or have I just been missing them when we parked in the Jungle?
We were actually in the Elm Street Gym lot right across from you. Never saw those guys where we were.
They are on campus all the time screaming back and forth with the students. It is annoying but most of the time I can't help but laugh as I walk by. Last time I was walking past and heard "God is furious with you students because you are screwing like animals". There's usually a law enforcement officer near by to keep things from turning violent when they are on campus. I'm big on free speech so I can't get too upset about it. I'm also big on not being a complete idiot though which they fail at pretty badly.
I consider myself a Christian of the Methodist variety. I just don't consider this form of "confrontation conversion" tactics being effective, especially with college kids.
(09-02-2012 07:15 PM)49RFootballNow Wrote: I consider myself a Christian of the Methodist variety. I just don't consider this form of "confrontation conversion" tactics being effective, especially with college kids.
I don't think it is effective with anyone. It only serves to tick of the intended target and fuel the belief of the yeller that everyone is hate filled and full of the devil.
When I walked over to try to create some space between the two guys, the "preacher" yelled, "he's a sinner and he's going to hell!" to which I replied, calmly, "so am I, so are you, and we'd all be going to hell were it not for Jesus.". He decided I didn't need his message and resumed yelling at the kid.
The most infuriating thing is that I had a brief conversation with the kid in between his battle with the "preacher" and probably accomplished more in 2 minutes than the confrontational style does ever. Unless you count making regular Christian folk looms like lunatics.
I don't necessarily dislike their message but I loathe their tactics. It makes the intended audience have a adversarial attitude towards any real "Christian" message they might receive afterwords if these guys are their first contact about the subject. It also gives someone wanting to speak to them in a different manor put into a odd position due the persons personal history with one of these guys. In the end, people get tuned out to it.
