Post by Jesse Morrell on Sept 27, 2006 9:55:33 GMT -5
Protestors bring debate to campus
By Alexandra Pajak
Contributing Writer
On the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 11, men and women not affiliated with Tech protested homosexual lifestyles on Skiles Walkway.
Their protest occurred just following Georgia Tech Coming Out Week (GTCOW), sponsored by PRIDE alliance.
The protestors carried large signs and debated with students who approached them.
One poster featured pictures of a crucified Jesus from Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ. Another sign read, “Sodomy: It’s to die for.”
Public Safety Captain James Hembry acknowledged the legality of the group’s visit. “We had six people speaking out about gay beliefs, " he said. “They had permission from Georgia Tech to be in the First Amendment area. They had written permission. It was some folks talking about their religious beliefs and talking against gay folks in general. It was no problem at all.”
Off-campus groups are required to receive permission from Tech to protest an issue or speak publicly on campus grounds.
“The university has the right to designate time and space for off-campus visitors. They would do that through the Space Planning office,” said Stephanie Ray, associate dean of student affairs and diversity issues and programs coordinator.
According to Ben Narsil, one of the protesters, the group is protesting homosexuality “all week at different locations.”
First-year Mechanical Engineering major Anthony Coulter was among the students who argued with the protesters about their message. “I think that coming on campus the week after COW is impolite at best. Intolerance is bad. Sickening.” Regarding his decision to confront the protestors, Coulter said, “I still think that I can make a difference.”
The protestors insisted upon the importance of their Biblical message. “This is the love of God for sinners,” said Narsil, who participated in the protest with his wife and two children. “We’re not condemning anybody.” Narsil attends the Open Bible Tabernacle church in Marietta, Georgia.
“Here at Georgia Tech there are many fornicators, many drinkers, many sodomites. We’re here for Jesus Christ,” said Matt Bourgault, a protester from Florida. Bourgault has attended such “open air preaching” in 25 states and at many universities, including University of California-Berkeley, as well as colleges in Maine and the Midwest. Motioning to the students congregating around the signs, he said, “This is great dialogue. Great preaching. This is about believing the Gospel.”
Student reaction to the protest was varied. “I’m for Bush,” said Ali Soza, a Georgia State University student who was on campus at the time of the protests. “If gay marriage is allowed, they should allow cow marriage. I’ve never heard of non-straight marriage.”
Narsil also seemed to notice a difference in opinions of students in reaction to their presence. He said “international students” appeared to have more support for their message than the “nationals,” people from the United States.
Narsil said opposition to their message against homosexuality “speaks to apathy.”
Some students expressed humor at the situation. “I think it’s funny,” said a Tech student who declined to give his name.
Transfer student Joy Pearson said, “It’s odd they’re claiming to be good Christians, but they’re preaching hate...they should be talking to Congress, not to us.”
Felix Hu, a member of Tech’s Pride organization, said the protests are a reflection of the “current times” in the country’s political climate. Regarding GTCOW, Hu said, “We had a great amount of student support. That was unprecedented in the past."
By Alexandra Pajak
Contributing Writer
On the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 11, men and women not affiliated with Tech protested homosexual lifestyles on Skiles Walkway.
Their protest occurred just following Georgia Tech Coming Out Week (GTCOW), sponsored by PRIDE alliance.
The protestors carried large signs and debated with students who approached them.
One poster featured pictures of a crucified Jesus from Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ. Another sign read, “Sodomy: It’s to die for.”
Public Safety Captain James Hembry acknowledged the legality of the group’s visit. “We had six people speaking out about gay beliefs, " he said. “They had permission from Georgia Tech to be in the First Amendment area. They had written permission. It was some folks talking about their religious beliefs and talking against gay folks in general. It was no problem at all.”
Off-campus groups are required to receive permission from Tech to protest an issue or speak publicly on campus grounds.
“The university has the right to designate time and space for off-campus visitors. They would do that through the Space Planning office,” said Stephanie Ray, associate dean of student affairs and diversity issues and programs coordinator.
According to Ben Narsil, one of the protesters, the group is protesting homosexuality “all week at different locations.”
First-year Mechanical Engineering major Anthony Coulter was among the students who argued with the protesters about their message. “I think that coming on campus the week after COW is impolite at best. Intolerance is bad. Sickening.” Regarding his decision to confront the protestors, Coulter said, “I still think that I can make a difference.”
The protestors insisted upon the importance of their Biblical message. “This is the love of God for sinners,” said Narsil, who participated in the protest with his wife and two children. “We’re not condemning anybody.” Narsil attends the Open Bible Tabernacle church in Marietta, Georgia.
“Here at Georgia Tech there are many fornicators, many drinkers, many sodomites. We’re here for Jesus Christ,” said Matt Bourgault, a protester from Florida. Bourgault has attended such “open air preaching” in 25 states and at many universities, including University of California-Berkeley, as well as colleges in Maine and the Midwest. Motioning to the students congregating around the signs, he said, “This is great dialogue. Great preaching. This is about believing the Gospel.”
Student reaction to the protest was varied. “I’m for Bush,” said Ali Soza, a Georgia State University student who was on campus at the time of the protests. “If gay marriage is allowed, they should allow cow marriage. I’ve never heard of non-straight marriage.”
Narsil also seemed to notice a difference in opinions of students in reaction to their presence. He said “international students” appeared to have more support for their message than the “nationals,” people from the United States.
Narsil said opposition to their message against homosexuality “speaks to apathy.”
Some students expressed humor at the situation. “I think it’s funny,” said a Tech student who declined to give his name.
Transfer student Joy Pearson said, “It’s odd they’re claiming to be good Christians, but they’re preaching hate...they should be talking to Congress, not to us.”
Felix Hu, a member of Tech’s Pride organization, said the protests are a reflection of the “current times” in the country’s political climate. Regarding GTCOW, Hu said, “We had a great amount of student support. That was unprecedented in the past."
www.nique.net/issues/2004-10-15/news/5
By Alexandra Pajak
Contributing Writer
On the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 11, men and women not affiliated with Tech protested homosexual lifestyles on Skiles Walkway.
Their protest occurred just following Georgia Tech Coming Out Week (GTCOW), sponsored by PRIDE alliance.
The protestors carried large signs and debated with students who approached them.
One poster featured pictures of a crucified Jesus from Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ. Another sign read, “Sodomy: It’s to die for.”
Public Safety Captain James Hembry acknowledged the legality of the group’s visit. “We had six people speaking out about gay beliefs, " he said. “They had permission from Georgia Tech to be in the First Amendment area. They had written permission. It was some folks talking about their religious beliefs and talking against gay folks in general. It was no problem at all.”
Off-campus groups are required to receive permission from Tech to protest an issue or speak publicly on campus grounds.
“The university has the right to designate time and space for off-campus visitors. They would do that through the Space Planning office,” said Stephanie Ray, associate dean of student affairs and diversity issues and programs coordinator.
According to Ben Narsil, one of the protesters, the group is protesting homosexuality “all week at different locations.”
First-year Mechanical Engineering major Anthony Coulter was among the students who argued with the protesters about their message. “I think that coming on campus the week after COW is impolite at best. Intolerance is bad. Sickening.” Regarding his decision to confront the protestors, Coulter said, “I still think that I can make a difference.”
The protestors insisted upon the importance of their Biblical message. “This is the love of God for sinners,” said Narsil, who participated in the protest with his wife and two children. “We’re not condemning anybody.” Narsil attends the Open Bible Tabernacle church in Marietta, Georgia.
“Here at Georgia Tech there are many fornicators, many drinkers, many sodomites. We’re here for Jesus Christ,” said Matt Bourgault, a protester from Florida. Bourgault has attended such “open air preaching” in 25 states and at many universities, including University of California-Berkeley, as well as colleges in Maine and the Midwest. Motioning to the students congregating around the signs, he said, “This is great dialogue. Great preaching. This is about believing the Gospel.”
Student reaction to the protest was varied. “I’m for Bush,” said Ali Soza, a Georgia State University student who was on campus at the time of the protests. “If gay marriage is allowed, they should allow cow marriage. I’ve never heard of non-straight marriage.”
Narsil also seemed to notice a difference in opinions of students in reaction to their presence. He said “international students” appeared to have more support for their message than the “nationals,” people from the United States.
Narsil said opposition to their message against homosexuality “speaks to apathy.”
Some students expressed humor at the situation. “I think it’s funny,” said a Tech student who declined to give his name.
Transfer student Joy Pearson said, “It’s odd they’re claiming to be good Christians, but they’re preaching hate...they should be talking to Congress, not to us.”
Felix Hu, a member of Tech’s Pride organization, said the protests are a reflection of the “current times” in the country’s political climate. Regarding GTCOW, Hu said, “We had a great amount of student support. That was unprecedented in the past."
By Alexandra Pajak
Contributing Writer
On the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 11, men and women not affiliated with Tech protested homosexual lifestyles on Skiles Walkway.
Their protest occurred just following Georgia Tech Coming Out Week (GTCOW), sponsored by PRIDE alliance.
The protestors carried large signs and debated with students who approached them.
One poster featured pictures of a crucified Jesus from Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ. Another sign read, “Sodomy: It’s to die for.”
Public Safety Captain James Hembry acknowledged the legality of the group’s visit. “We had six people speaking out about gay beliefs, " he said. “They had permission from Georgia Tech to be in the First Amendment area. They had written permission. It was some folks talking about their religious beliefs and talking against gay folks in general. It was no problem at all.”
Off-campus groups are required to receive permission from Tech to protest an issue or speak publicly on campus grounds.
“The university has the right to designate time and space for off-campus visitors. They would do that through the Space Planning office,” said Stephanie Ray, associate dean of student affairs and diversity issues and programs coordinator.
According to Ben Narsil, one of the protesters, the group is protesting homosexuality “all week at different locations.”
First-year Mechanical Engineering major Anthony Coulter was among the students who argued with the protesters about their message. “I think that coming on campus the week after COW is impolite at best. Intolerance is bad. Sickening.” Regarding his decision to confront the protestors, Coulter said, “I still think that I can make a difference.”
The protestors insisted upon the importance of their Biblical message. “This is the love of God for sinners,” said Narsil, who participated in the protest with his wife and two children. “We’re not condemning anybody.” Narsil attends the Open Bible Tabernacle church in Marietta, Georgia.
“Here at Georgia Tech there are many fornicators, many drinkers, many sodomites. We’re here for Jesus Christ,” said Matt Bourgault, a protester from Florida. Bourgault has attended such “open air preaching” in 25 states and at many universities, including University of California-Berkeley, as well as colleges in Maine and the Midwest. Motioning to the students congregating around the signs, he said, “This is great dialogue. Great preaching. This is about believing the Gospel.”
Student reaction to the protest was varied. “I’m for Bush,” said Ali Soza, a Georgia State University student who was on campus at the time of the protests. “If gay marriage is allowed, they should allow cow marriage. I’ve never heard of non-straight marriage.”
Narsil also seemed to notice a difference in opinions of students in reaction to their presence. He said “international students” appeared to have more support for their message than the “nationals,” people from the United States.
Narsil said opposition to their message against homosexuality “speaks to apathy.”
Some students expressed humor at the situation. “I think it’s funny,” said a Tech student who declined to give his name.
Transfer student Joy Pearson said, “It’s odd they’re claiming to be good Christians, but they’re preaching hate...they should be talking to Congress, not to us.”
Felix Hu, a member of Tech’s Pride organization, said the protests are a reflection of the “current times” in the country’s political climate. Regarding GTCOW, Hu said, “We had a great amount of student support. That was unprecedented in the past."
www.nique.net/issues/2004-10-15/news/5
