Last week I was a witness to two unfortunate occurrences on campus in which the man known infamously as “Preacher Dan” taunted and insulted minority students on the PSU Park Blocks.
Now, I’m sure most of you know of the events I am speaking of, and I won’t go into a detailed account of the incidents for I did not witness them firsthand, but only saw the aftermath. Although what became clear from these events is that “Preacher Dan,” unless he physically threatens someone, has just as much right to be here as the faculty or the student body.
Campus Security could not remove him from the premises unless he actually threatened someone with bodily harm. Now, this is a man who has repeatedly degraded women by calling those who choose to not have babies “whores” that will burn, etc.; who recently told a disabled student that he was bound to a wheelchair because he was a sinner; and even more recently proclaimed that minorities will burn in hell.
These sound like threats to me, but not personal threats. “Preacher Dan” isn’t going to take you to hell, he’s just letting you know you’ll get there (and no police action is taken against him for this). And while the women, minorities and differently-abled students, whom I might add are a large part of the PSU community, are just supposed to ignore his insults, he is allowed to spew his dogma from city property in a loud monologue that sometimes can be heard two or more blocks away.
Now, it is easy for me to state that “Preacher Dan” is a misguided, racist, sexist nut who is wrong, but I don’t think that helps the problem or that even identifies the problem. Sure, he is all of those things, maybe he realizes it – maybe he doesn’t.
We are, of course, talking about a man by whose strict “interpretation” of the Bible assumes that Gandhi is in hell, just for not repenting to Jesus. A man who suffers from pride, a mortal sin, and by way of pride, believes that he has been chosen to spread his version of the word of God to us heathen liberal arts and science students.
As I am writing this, I am quite aware that as a white man, I may never truly experience the horrors of racism and sexism firsthand. I can only empathize and fight these plagues with my words and my actions. I can never truly understand the pain and the oppression that these certain forms of institutionalized hatred bring to those whom they have been levied against throughout the history of this country and beyond. For it is these words and these remarks that bring the weight of those histories of oppression into the immediate present, because racism is still a very real problem today.
And to me this is where a problem resides. I am not a Christian, but I believe that “Preacher Dan” has every right to speak of his religion, no matter how much I disagree with it. But when he begins to alienate parts of the student body, insulting them personally while they are in their university, where every student should feel comfortable and safe enough to be able to learn, how are we to react?
I enjoy the benefits of free speech every day, and, in fact, am doing so right now. If this dilemma would go away, as if it were as easy as drawing a line in the sand, I am sure that line would already be there.
So as my rational inner debate came to a grinding halt at this juxtaposition of law and justice, I was fortunate enough to encounter a prophetic bumper sticker that tempted me like never before: “What Would Jesus Do?”
As I stated earlier I am not a Christian, but I am a reverend. I received the title over the summer, by way of the Internet, to perform a wedding ceremony. I believe that gives me about just as much validity to speak with Jesus as “Preacher Dan” may claim to have. One right that may not be guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, but I believe it is an inherent right anyway, is that everyone is entitled to their own Jesus (if they want one).
I recently got a chance to speak to my Jesus, who agreed to take time out of his busy schedule for this candid interview, as long as I would stay on topic and in the prayer position.
RH: Hey, Jesus, How have you been?
JC: Oh, I’ve been good lately.
RH: So, have you heard about the problems with “Preacher Dan”?
JC: Yeah. We hear about pretty much everything up here. Let’s just get this straight, people – I don’t even know that guy. I don’t know what he’s been telling you, but we’re not affiliated with him at all. His approach is pretty old school, though. I mean, we haven’t endorsed that sort of preacher-on-the-corner marketing strategy since the fall of Rome. We prefer multimedia campaigns and telemarketing these days.
RH: So, he’s made some pretty racist comments lately. How do you feel about this being done in your name?
JC: You know, I am black and Jewish. How do you think I feel about that?
RH: Good point.
JC: I’m sure you recall my “Let he who has not sinned” speech.
RH: Yeah. “Let he who has not sinned throw the first stone.”
JC: Exactly. I would remind this “Preacher Dan” of that and also elaborate that I preach both tolerance and forgiveness, not wrath and judgment. If the time comes when judgment shall occur, you will be judged on what kind of human being you are, not whether you made sure you went to church every Sunday, but if you were a descent person. We are much more concerned with that. God is far less concerned with if you believe in him, but moreover if you are kind to your fellow human beings. Love and Respect your neighbor. If you can do that, we’ll have a seat for you in heaven.
RH: So, Jesus, what is Heaven like?
JC: This interview is over.