|
They come to campus every year, standing in the Free Speech Area for days, condemning students and doing their best to save the souls of passing students.
Unfortunately, Soulwinners Ministries International’s way of winning souls involves a lot of antagonism.
Many students feel persecuted by the group, especially when being told point blank they are going to hell because they watch television or work out. The group also is fond of attacking homosexuals and members of other religions.
It is understandable that students want to fight back. Many did last year, forming large crowds around the free speech area and arguing with the missionaries. The police were called on several occasions.
While this is an excellent way to vent frustration over what the missionaries are saying, it accomplishes no other good.
When you argue with them, fight with them, or otherwise cause a scene in front of them, they get what they want because others walking by, who otherwise might have ignored what was going on, will stop to see what the commotion is about. The so-called missionaries end up gaining an increased crowd to listen to their message of condemnation.
More importantly, the Soulwinners, and anyone else who happens to be speaking there, are speaking in MSU’s Free Speech Area.
This area represents a physical manifestation of what is arguably one of our most important rights, and Soulwinners Ministries only serves to reinforce that.
We may not like what they have to say, but it cannot be denied that they have a right to say it. That square of campus has been established for the sole purpose of allowing all members of the campus community a place to stand up and say what they believe, whether the ideas are popular or not. After all, if you wanted to deliver a message important to you, you would expect to be allowed to do so.
Don’t take freedom of speech away from yourself and those around you. If what someone is saying angers you, don’t stoop to their level — don’t stop and listen.
They have the freedom to speak, just as you have the freedom to walk away quietly.
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
