Post by Jesse Morrell on Oct 19, 2008 21:50:33 GMT -5
NEWS: from the Bible Belt
Today, at the University of North Alabama, the college I attend, an extremist, right-wing preacher started screaming on a platform in the middle of campus. He carried a large sign that said, "FORSAKE all your SIN and FOLLOW the Lord JESUS CHRIST"
He tours colleges screaming teachings about "fire and brimstone"... he's been to UNA before, but always just got ignored (Florence, AL has several mentally ill wanderers who use "Jesus" everyother word whether it applies or not) and he was associated with them.
This time, however, it was different. From 11:00 am until 3:30, a protesting mob consisting of between 250 and 350 students was formed around him.
When he got started talking about "All of you HOE-MOE-SEXUALS will Buuuuurrrrrn in hell"... the crowd went crazy... booing him... Afterwards, a couple of bisexual girls got up on the platform and made-out for the group (to make a point), but also about a dozen other students got up and shouted over the crazy preacher spoke, saying that they were devout Christians and that people who are gay are great and no different than anyone... that God loves gay people too. All but one of these students were straight. After they spoke, they were met with applause and cheers.
There was a great mixture in the crowd... non-theists, atheists, a variety of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, gays, straights, bisexuals, conservatives, liberals, and others... and most of the crowd (and a many of the bystanders) banded against what this guy was saying.
The progression of acceptance in the South is gradual, but definately progressing.
UPDATE: The "pastor's" name is Jesse Morrell and his organization is called Open Air Outreach. UNA pix should be up soon. There is also a facebook group for our particular experience: "I'm going to hell because I listen to gangster rap (UNA Chapter)"
www.afterellen.com/node/38616
Today, at the University of North Alabama, the college I attend, an extremist, right-wing preacher started screaming on a platform in the middle of campus. He carried a large sign that said, "FORSAKE all your SIN and FOLLOW the Lord JESUS CHRIST"
He tours colleges screaming teachings about "fire and brimstone"... he's been to UNA before, but always just got ignored (Florence, AL has several mentally ill wanderers who use "Jesus" everyother word whether it applies or not) and he was associated with them.
This time, however, it was different. From 11:00 am until 3:30, a protesting mob consisting of between 250 and 350 students was formed around him.
When he got started talking about "All of you HOE-MOE-SEXUALS will Buuuuurrrrrn in hell"... the crowd went crazy... booing him... Afterwards, a couple of bisexual girls got up on the platform and made-out for the group (to make a point), but also about a dozen other students got up and shouted over the crazy preacher spoke, saying that they were devout Christians and that people who are gay are great and no different than anyone... that God loves gay people too. All but one of these students were straight. After they spoke, they were met with applause and cheers.
There was a great mixture in the crowd... non-theists, atheists, a variety of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, gays, straights, bisexuals, conservatives, liberals, and others... and most of the crowd (and a many of the bystanders) banded against what this guy was saying.
The progression of acceptance in the South is gradual, but definately progressing.
UPDATE: The "pastor's" name is Jesse Morrell and his organization is called Open Air Outreach. UNA pix should be up soon. There is also a facebook group for our particular experience: "I'm going to hell because I listen to gangster rap (UNA Chapter)"
www.afterellen.com/node/38616
