Kathleen Ocampo
A religious demonstration in the free-speech area on the mall sparked an uproar among offended students Monday.
The protester, who chose to identify himself as “Paul,” claimed all of “Satan’s children” would go to hell, including people who practiced religions other than Christianity, “all kinds of sex perverts, murderers or baby killers, liars, boozers, mouthy women, girlie-men and all sin-loving heathen,” unless they repent.
“Christianity is the only way,” he said.
Paul declared himself a member of the Constitution Party, a political party based on traditional conservative values.
He concluded his first message with an open invitation for any questions, which only gave the subtle reactions a more distinguishable voice.
Paul quickly faced around 25 students attacking him with aggravating questions.
“He’s a hypocrite Christian,” said 20-year-old business major Torie Saltzman, a Greek Orthodox Christian who argued that Paul’s protest was that of hate while the Bible preaches love.
A more heated discussion developed when African-history major Melody Foster arrived and agreed with Paul.
The 30-year-old self-professed Christian talked with a lot of passion about lost Jews and homosexuality.
With a number of people trying to raise their voices, Damon Essex exclaimed, “90 percent of all the people are going to hell.”
“The Bible says that we shouldn’t be eating hoof, an animal’s foot,” added Essex, 23. “Who here hasn’t?”
Foster answered, “The Bible says not to eat the pig.”
While most of the active students argued that Foster herself was a “mouthy woman,” Paul struggled to pull the crowd’s attention back.
Failing at this, he moved aside with two students who questioned him about the Bible’s credibility.
Ten minutes later, Vladimir Afonin, 18, stopped and said, “There’s no making sense in this guy.”
Though Pierce President Robert Garber was not supportive of Paul’s message, he supports the right of people to use the freedom of speech area.
Pierce College students look on as a man who wished to identify himself as “Paul” for security reasons proselytizes in the Free Speech Zone. Monday, Nov. 3. ()
A man who idenifes himself as “Paul” (right) tells students they need to repent for their sins or go to hell. Pierce student Rachel Light speaks her mind against his opinions. Monday, Nov. 3. ()