What do you think of Christian Fundamentalist preachers on college campuses?

[Hestha]

If you live in the United States, then you may be familiar with the concept of "Christian Fundamentalism" one way or another. You may have a relative who is a Christian Fundamentalist, or you may have heard about it in the news and headlines, most notably in science classrooms whenever the topic of evolution pops up. You may even have heard some of their arguments, which are often perceived as hateful or undemocratic or unpopular or just plain ignorant. Heck, you may even have met an itinerant preacher who comes to the university campus uninvited and unwanted, but preaches the most annoying messages every afternoon.

Personally, I feel that these types of people are quite amusing. It's like doing show business, and watchers are merely passersby who are waiting to be entertained by their dramatic gestures and obsessively religious ideas. A preacher may stand quietly with a poster board with philosophical questions written. Another preacher may try to debate and discuss with students and try to "convert" them. And, another preacher may be downright rude and insulting to women and *******uals, focusing obsessively on "***ual sins" and how you should be "saved" and believe in Jesus.

Now, if you want to make an argument to persuade other people to believe your ideas, then the best thing to do is not offend your audience, right? Well... apparently some of these guys (so far, I have only encountered white male preachers) just won't listen to the people's offense and criticisms, and continue rambling about how "great" Christianity is and how we shall all be damned eternally in hell unless we repent for our sins and receive God and Jesus.

In addition, if you want to make an argument to persuade other people to believe your ideas, then you should think of strong reasons for believing your ideas, right? Well, one example of a weak reason would be the following:

"I know how to prove that the Big Bang Theory is wrong."

This just baffles me. I am not sure how many scientists would sincerely believe that the Big Bang Theory is "correct" or "incorrect" on an absolute scale, which is what the statement implies. My professors would say that, if the evidence supports some theory, then the theory becomes more reliable and strong. They would never say that a theory is "incorrect" or "correct", or at least, not publicly.

"If you have done this, this, this, and this, then you are going to HELL! I am going to heaven, because I have repented! Repent, or go to HELL!"

Why can't these preachers actually mention EXACTLY WHAT we are supposed to be guilty or ashamed of? These preachers treat people like criminals. They just say "you have sinned, so you should repent", but rarely do they mention which sin we have done. If they do mention sins, they tend to be obsessively focused on ***ual sins, if not the sin of not honoring Jesus or God like them.

Who shares my opinion on Christian Fundamentalist preachers on college campuses? How do you deal with them?

I personally find that Christian Fundamentalist preachers on college campuses just plain insulting but in an amusing way, like an interesting spectacle. I have met mainstream Mormon (Latter-Day Saints) missionaries before, and the missionaries tend to be more polite and well-mannered and focus more on the belief in God rather than the absurdities of the Christian Fundamentalists. Then again, it may also be an age difference. The Christian Fundamentalists I've encountered are pretty old and have balding hair or white-grayish hair. The Mormon missionaries I've encountered are very young, around my age and education level, and have better social skills than the Fundamentalist Christians, simply because they do not offend.

[Chelle]

Hahah. My current campus doesn't have any sort of preachers like this, at least not usually; however, I'm transferring this Fall and some of the universities I was accepted to have preachers constantly on campus. I think it happens with much bigger campuses, but I pretty much agree with everything you said. It's annoying to have them call everything a sin, but a lot of religious institutions instill this fear into its followers from very early on, so it's all they've been taught really and it's absolutely pointless to try and argue with them. I usually just laugh. I don't think I'd have the patience to stand there and listen to some bullshit, because I'd get quite annoyed and end up punching one in the face.

I do have a major problem with Christian fundamentalists who do those anti-abortion campaigns on campus and put up explicit photos on major walkways throughout the campus. Especially because often such photos and quotes don't depict actual things, they fabricate some of it or exaggerate it. Again, their approach is attempting to arouse fear in others. :/

Interesting topic though, darling.

[Boomerang]

Those that say the least say the most. As with all religious individuals..those that force the issues have no force at all.

[iamalicia]

Those that say the least say the most. As with all religious individuals..those that force the issues have no force at all.

Well said. I enjoy your posts.

However, that being said, I don't know if I agree with the creator of this thread. Personally, I don't think it's offensive for someone to preach their beliefs, we all have a right to free speech. No matter the connotation, I would rather hear someone's rants about individuals going to hell for being a homosexual, than live in a country where we can't speak freely at all. What would you rather have? Freedom is beautiful and the most beautiful thing about it is you have the freedom to walk away and not listen.

[Scarecrow666]

Freedom of speech, the first admendment is what I think. I actually talk to these guys and actually made some friends with some of them. There are issues that I disagree with them but I just admire how they can freely express themselves

[MathBoy]

Would you have the same response if they were muslims, Buddhists, satanists? If the Dean of Students allows it oh well, its his campus his rules. Personally, It does not bother me.

[Rainbownanaaa]

having preachers inside campus would be great. since i believe they help in "the harvest". but the ones you describe may be a lil bit over acting (if they are really as you say they are)

1st. there's no need for argument. infact, there really should be none. you don't argue to people about The Gospel. you share, then it's up to them if they accept it or not. no debates.

2nd. it's natural for the message about salvation to be offensive to men. it shouldn't be sugar coated just so you gain audience. what's written will come to pass. people don't like it? well, it doesn't matter.

3rd. i believe preaching, though un-sugarcoated, should be done with love. they have no right to condemn people whatsoever. judgement belongs to GOD. but then again, it's true: "if you don't accept JESUS, you will go to hell"
-John 14:6

=)

[Jon<3]

having preachers inside campus would be great. since i believe they help in "the harvest". but the ones you describe may be a lil bit over acting (if they are really as you say they are)

1st. there's no need for argument. infact, there really should be none. you don't argue to people about The Gospel. you share, then it's up to them if they accept it or not. no debates.

2nd. it's natural for the message about salvation to be offensive to men. it shouldn't be sugar coated just so you gain audience. what's written will come to pass. people don't like it? well, it doesn't matter.

3rd. i believe preaching, though un-sugarcoated, should be done with love. they have no right to condemn people whatsoever. judgement belongs to GOD. but then again, it's true: "if you don't accept JESUS, you will go to hell"
-John 14:6

=)

1) yes i agree 'sharing' is fine, but some people like yell and shove it down your throat. there's a difference, and that's when it becomes arguing.

And 3) so many Christians say judgement is only for God, but they judge so much

[Boomerang]

Well, being new to this, what don't I think? Tee hee ..um and all.

[Rainbownanaaa]

1) yes i agree 'sharing' is fine, but some people like yell and shove it down your throat. there's a difference, and that's when it becomes arguing.

And 3) so many Christians say judgement is only for God, but they judge so much

1.) true true. most christians are guilty of that. i am too. sometimes i just get so eager to share and get them accepting Christ then i realize it's not the right way. that's why preachers should pray about it before they share to someone and ask GOD for patience.

3.) yeah that's man's nature. but if they are indeed GENUINE, they'll know better than to do that.
(p.s. non christian judge a lot too)