Evangelical speaker Tracy Mays adresses students on SSU's campus Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Preacher Rains Hellfire on Shawnee State Campus

Students Get an Unexpected Lesson on the Right to Freedom of Speech

By: Mark DeWitt

Posted: 9/2/09

Many students were baffled on their walk to class Wed. and Thu. when a man wearing a sandwich board that read "Repent or Perish" was spreading his religious beliefs through what many considered an unorthodox method.

The man, who said his name was Tracy Mays, shouted lines such as "I am here to judge" and "I am without sin." He had more than a few students up in arms. Mays also carried a video camera while he preached.

"I video tape for my protection from you," Mays said.

He also stated that he uses the camera to compile the videos for Youtube movies.

Most students who stood around to hear what the man had to say were very passionate about how they felt about his views on Christianity, which seemed to starkly contrast theirs.

One male student expressed that he was a homosexual to whom Mays replied "you need to get married to a woman, make things right with God."

While students strongly disagreed with what Mays was saying there was never a shortage of people surrounding the man. With such shocking responses and statements, Mays was able to provoke emotions and create dialogue among students; he was able to achieve exactly what he wanted--to be heard.

"I am grieved by what happened on campus today" Abby Teske, a sophomore and secretary of the Campus Crusade for Christ, said. "I hope that this preaching does not turn people away from the real Jesus, who did not call people out on their sin, but loved them."

After May's Wednesday demonstration, Dr. Jim Settle, vice president for student affairs, sent out an e-mail to all students stating "Shawnee State University very much values the rights of expression, thought, freedom and discussion on our campus."

What makes our university great is that people are able to share their views and ideas and interact with other people regardless of what those views are.

As students, we are free to stand in protest, share our ideas with others, or simply walk away. No one can force us to listen to or view what we do not want.

"Shawnee students added validity to the (man) by standing there and screaming in his face. Love him or hate him, he has the right to be there. So if students don't like what he is saying, then they should walk away and shut the hell up" said Robert Kerecz, a senior majoring in nursing.

"Too many people are getting bent out of shape over something that they are not forced to participate in."

The First Amendment was put into place so that we may be able to have freedom of speech, as well as the freedom of protest.

"While his views may be offensive to you, he has the absolute right to express those views, and we should cherish, protect and facilitate that expression," Settle said. "If you disagree with the demonstrator's point of view, express your disagreement in a civil manner, discuss your point of view with the demonstrator and fellow students, or simply walk away from the demonstrator."

As long as we protest in a way that respects the demonstrator's civil liberties we may continue to do so. Knowing that Shawnee is capable of having such a heated two-day discussion is proof that our students are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and that they are able to express themselves without the use of violence.

Note: The evangelist mentioned in this article gave his name to our reporter as Mays. It was discovered after this edition was released that his surname is in fact spelled Bays.