A signpost to hell brought several hundred Sacramento State students into a theological shouting match with two preachers in the Library Quad on Tuesday.
Kevin Farrer, a self-proclaimed "saved man," started the demonstration just before nine a.m. in the Quad's free speech area.
Farrer held a sign that said "Give your life to Jesus" and wore a t-shirt that asked, "Ask me about why you deserve hell?"
Justin Thomas, an undeclared freshman, asked Farrer about hell, but was unsure about the answer.
"He never really fully answered my question," Thomas said. "He tried to give [me] what he thinks."
Tom Griner of Father's Heart Africa told students he and Farrer were there to show their concern for the student's spiritual well being and wanted them to repent to the Lord.
"This is why we're here, we do care about you," Griner told the crowd as it became more hostile. "We're trying to save you from sin… unless there's a shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness," he said. He referred to the blood Jesus Christ spilt on the cross.
Farrer directly challenged two female students who spoke by quoting Scripture, which stated that women "must be gentle and be quiet." He said they also should be submissive to their husbands.
Many students challenged his statements.
Seniors Mallory Reynolds, nursing, and Ashley Jennings, history, objected to his declaration that all people are sinners and bound for hell. Farrer was exempt since he said he was a "saint."
"He wants people to give their life to Jesus, but instead people are out there (are) angry because he's pushing specific sins… like homosexuality, cheating, and fornicating, and drinking, all things people do on a college campus," Jennings said.
"Instead of picking things that everyone struggles with everyday (like) lying, insecurities… He's preaching one side of the story. He's making us Christians look like idiots because he is not right with himself."
Liyuan V., junior business major, felt Farrer's comments were truthful. She supported Farrer's message because she also believes in Jesus. She even gave him a bottle of water during his demonstration in the quad.
"Some people find it hard to accept the truth," Liyuan said.
Reynolds later said that it doesn't matter if someone is a homosexual, uses profanity or is unfaithful.
"I believe that he's giving us a bad name," she said. "He makes people not want to become Christian or listen to what Christians have to say, because they automatically think of this. It's not our place to judge."
Ben Schilter can be reached at bschilter@statehornet.com
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