by Phillip WYATT
Intern Lifestyles Reporter

Sanford Mall is the central hub of campus activity at Appalachian State University. Located at the heart of campus, students can be seen enjoying their lunch, socializing amongst friends, cramming for exams and playing a quick game of Frisbee between classes on a daily basis.

Our beloved green space also serves as a public forum for activists exercising free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of our nation’s Constitution.

This serene and enjoyable environment is often disturbed by evangelists, promising eternal damnation in the fiery pits of Hell to those who have not sought out their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As a student with agnostic beliefs, I have no problem with religious fervor. However, I believe these devoted followers execute their goal of sharing God’s truth in an inappropriate and ridiculous fashion.

Rev. Kerrigan S. Skelly, creator of PinPoint Evangelism based out of Kentucky, has preached on the campus of Appalachian twice, his most recent visit earlier this month.

As an evangelist, “Our mission is to preach the Gospel to all creation and train other Christians to do the same thing,” he said.

Skelly has spoken at over 50 universities throughout the country.

“Our goal is to go in there, reason with them calmly and logically, and take questions from [students] and answer them,” Skelly said. “Instead of using their brain, they allow their feelings to take over. It just shows how immature a lot of college students are, unfortunately.”

Based on personal observation, calm and logical reasoning is ignored by both parties.

When confronted for their obscene and dramatic statements, evangelists often erupt into a violent uproar, defending their thoughts by regurgitating Bible verses from memory.

Such a brutal scene becomes more detrimental than helpful to the student body.

“I come out of class, ready to do my homework and study, and someone’s telling me I’m wrong and I’m sinning, and in all actuality I’m not,” Celeste L. Mize, freshman interior design major said.

Appalachian’s administration should take into account the harsh treatment of students by these evangelists who are abusing their freedom of speech.

I do not pay tuition to be subjected to ridicule and persecution for my beliefs.

Students should ignore these evangelists and continue their daily rituals in order to prevent another verbal conundrum.
You simply cannot fight stupidity with ignorance.

As for these religious figures who insist on bringing chaos to our otherwise peaceful university, God is on Sanford Mall observing your actions with the rest of us.

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