A K LEO T H E
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2 to THURSDAY, NOV. 3, 2011 VOLUME 106 ISSUE 43
Serving the students of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
V O I C E
www.kaleo.org
‘Born Again’ Christian group preaches on campus
NEWS
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‘TOP COP’ Campus Security officer awarded for service
FEATURES
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MĀNOA VICTORS Winners of the Mānoa Experience Competition
OPINIONS
SHINICHI TOYAMA / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I
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Student A.J. Hurley responds to a Born-Again Christian Fellowship member in the Ba-Le courtyard on Oct. 31. EMI A IKO Associate News Editor
Wearing bright-orange T-shirts with the words “Trust Jesus” and “Fear God” printed across their chests and holding Bibles with the words “Holy Bible” highlighted in bright yellow, a group calling itself Born-Again Christian Fellowship shouted messages to passing University of Hawai’i at Mānoa students for nearly four hours in the Ba-Le courtyard on Monday and Tuesday, sparking controversy. “I’ve been a Christian my whole life,” said A.J. Hurley, a liberal studies student. “I believe in preaching the Gospels, but not
shoving it down in people’s throats like that. Jesus said he died for sinners. ... But the way they’re saying it is not equivalent to the message.” On Monday, the preaching alternated among a total of 13 members and children who appeared on campus shortly after noon, shouting messages on topics such as homosexuality. Two men held a sign that read “Love Warns: Judgement is coming ... Seek Jesus Now.” In March 2009, the same group put on a two-day open-air sermon at Campus Center. It was kicked out on the fi rst day because it didn’t have a permit. This time, the group did get a two-day permit from the university allowing it to
use the premises. But some other Christians on campus expressed annoyance at the group’s behavior. “How loving [or representative of] Jesus’ way is shouting and yelling at people saying, ‘You are all going to burn in hell’?” said Gerard Cyr, a senior majoring in political science, who witnessed an argument between Hurley and a group member. “You’re not going to accomplish anything like that.” “It’s eerie,” said Janet Ruiz, a freshman majoring in psychology. “We are trying to study here, but they also ended up here. They are so loud.” Ruiz and her friends Kevin Sun and Dylan Murakami moved to Mc-
3 5 83 Waialae Ave. , Honolulu , HI 9 6 81 6 • 70 0 Keeaumoku St . , Honolulu , HI 9 6 81 4
Carthy Mall to avoid the preachers. “One of the guys said ‘God loves you the way you are, but if you are homosexual, then he doesn’t,’” said Sun, “so we all decided to wear this ribbon.” Sun, Ruiz and Murakami were all wearing rainbow ribbons on their shirts, which were passed out by another organization on campus earlier in the day. On Tuesday, only three members of the group showed up to preach, but over a dozen LGBT supporters showed up with signs and passed out candy and condoms to people in the courtyard. “We don’t want to fi ght, we
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SPORTS
VICTORY KICKS IN Wahine Soccer seeded at number three
See Confrontations, page 3
Report
WEDNESDAY N: W: S: E:
3 -7 3-7 2-5 1- 3
f t. f t. f t. f t.
THURSDAY N: W: S: E:
2- 5 f t. 3-5 f t. 2- 5 f t. 2- 5+ f t.
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