[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

A gay and lesbian group that's trying to end what it calls "religious intolerance" was at Liberty University Wednesday afternoon.

Soulforce has come to LU in the past, but their visits haven't always gone smoothly. In 2006, more than 20 members of the group were arrested when they crossed onto LU property without permission. Wednesday's event was a little different.

Unlike before, Soulforce was allowed on campus. Students and faculty even lined up to welcome them.

"I wanted you to know that I love all of my students. Even those who struggle with homosexuality. I believe that they feel safe and loved here," said Karen Swallow Prior, English professor at LU.

Helping gay students feel safe at religious schools is what Soulforce is trying to promote. Their "Equality Ride" was at LU to talk with students about what it means to be gay and religious.

"Sexuality. Gender. Religion. These are really important matters and we're here at Liberty University today to have those important conversations," said Haven Herrin, member of Soulforce.

There was plenty of dialogue with students, but Soulforce took it a step further, going on campus and giving books on faith and sexuality to the LU library.

"I think having at least one affirming book on that campus would make all the difference," said Katie Higgins, member of Soulforce.

As demonstrators made their way across campus, the scene received a lot of attention from students, both for and against the visit.

"Equality Ride, I think if they want to come to a university, they should respect the institution," said Ashley Anewalt, senior at LU.

"No matter what you believe and no matter what your views are on it, you should treat it with love and acceptance. I think that's going to get you way farther than judgement and hatred," said Courtenay Motley, sophomore at LU.

LU is the first stop on this year's Equality Ride. They'll visit 14 more schools over the next 50 days.

As for those books they donated, a committee will review them to see if they meet the school's curriculum before they go up on library shelves.

Anyone else see this as ridiculous?.... they just want the attention because mommy and daddy didnt love them they want to come here and cause a scene... If you want to talk to students about being gay and religious then go to Wal-Mart or something, keep that business elsewhere. It just makes me mad that they think they can get away with this so they do little slick things like donating books so they look like they are giving and laughing as their bus pulls away cause they think that we are just going to throw them on a shelf. I hope they also realize in all of this that it is REALLY going to bring the conservatives out of the election that think this is insane, so thanks homo's, transsexuals, and bisexuals. Its appreciated in the end. And I will never be taking a class with Karen Swallow Prior.

[SuperJon]

The teacher should be fired? That's absolutely ridiculous. By what reasoning should she be fired? She never once said she agreed with or condoned the lifestyle. I have friends that get drunk. I have friends that sleep around. I have friends that smoke. I have friends that commit in all kinds of sins. I don't agree or condone what they do, but I still love them. Just because they're gay doesn't mean they are any more sinful than an alcoholic or adulterer.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

The teacher should be fired? That's absolutely ridiculous. By what reasoning should she be fired

To ok and support something that Liberty obviously doesnt stand for on the news... While its on campus.


I think its probably the thing that Liberty hates the most along with Abortion.


Ill change that, maybe not fired, maybe harassed.

[SuperJon]

She never said it was ok or that she supported it. She said she loved her students. What's wrong with that?

[Hold My Own]

Love the title and the "no homo" lol...that was funny



What's this about the teacher stuff though? Did we have one join them in the rally or something?

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

well by "lining up to welcome them" I would assume that would show to be a form of approval.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Love the title and the "no homo" lol...that was funny



What's this about the teacher stuff though? Did we have one join them in the rally or something?

Jon doesnt think so... Judging by the context and allowing the news to film it I would say so.

[qkslvrsrfrboy]

I think its ridiculous because it does absolutely nothing. Any student that all of a sudden decides Homosexuality isnt a sin just because they came on campus has no idea of how to think for themself or reason. All this does is fuel the fire of liberals and atheists that christians cant get along. I mean its good liberty is standing its ground on the idea of homosexuality as a sin, but to those that dont think this way it just make liberty look like bigots.

I got stopped while trying to go to class by them trying to talk to me, assumably to try and convert me to homosexuality. Dialogue went like this:

SF:Hey do you have a minute?
ME: No, Im really busy, I need to go rationalize my sin and make myself feel less guilty about it by protesting

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

SF:Hey do you have a minute?
ME: No, Im really busy, I need to go rationalize my sin and make myself feel less guilty about it by protesting

[SuperJon]

What good does making fun of them do?

Why can't you be polite and just say "No thanks, I'm on my way to somewhere."


By saying what you did, you're giving the people you complain about the fuel to the arguments you say they're trying to create.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

What good does making fun of them do?

Ummm Im pretty sure we started a group on campus that does that at every athletic event.

[SuperJon]

We make fun of athletes in a way that they know that we're obviously joking.

We don't publicly make fun of athletes for the sins that they commit.

To compare the LUnatics to Liberty students making fun of gay people is completely off base and is completely apples to oranges.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

We don't publicly make fun of athletes for the sins that they commit.

Well Kelsey Goss would be lust.


Mr. Simpson from Coastal for his arrest record.


RU Girls= Alcoholics.


Wearing Masks to Radford.


Shall I continue?

[SuperJon]

Kelsey Goss was not lust. There was never once anything sexual said. I know because I refused to take the conversations there.

Jerome Simpson there was one sign. I will admit to that. It could have crossed the line but I made the extra effort to tell him what I really thought and to let him know everything was joking.

The surgical masks to Radford was something I told you guys I didn't like. If you remember, I refused to be part of the picture that was taken with the masks and I told you guys I didn't think you should do it. I also never said anything about Radford girls being alcoholics. I've never met a Radford girl so I don't know if that's true or not. Yes, I laughed at the joke and laughed at the stereotype, but I didn't say anything about them. When I go to games, I keep things about the people on the court/floor and not the people in the stands.




I just don't see the point in making fun of a group of people when they are opening themselves up to us. Yes, they are wanting to push their beliefs on us. However, they are also opening themselves up to at least listen to what we have to say. Making fun of them, calling them names, and things like that are things that just reinforce the stereotype that Christians are judgmental hypocrites who don't really care or love like they claim to.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Kelsey Goss was not lust. There was never once anything sexual said. I know because I refused to take the conversations there.

Jerome Simpson there was one sign. I will admit to that. It could have crossed the line but I made the extra effort to tell him what I really thought and to let him know everything was joking.

The surgical masks to Radford was something I told you guys I didn't like. If you remember, I refused to be part of the picture that was taken with the masks and I told you guys I didn't think you should do it. I also never said anything about Radford girls being alcoholics. I've never met a Radford girl so I don't know if that's true or not. Yes, I laughed at the joke and laughed at the stereotype, but I didn't say anything about them. When I go to games, I keep things about the people on the court/floor and not the people in the stands.




I just don't see the point in making fun of a group of people when they are opening themselves up to us. Yes, they are wanting to push their beliefs on us. However, they are also opening themselves up to at least listen to what we have to say. Making fun of them, calling them names, and things like that are things that just reinforce the stereotype that Christians are judgmental hypocrites who don't really care or love like they claim to.

They werent opening themselves to us, they wanted attention and were trying to prove a point.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

but is a cheap shot

Like a Radford girl... ok really Im done...

[SuperJon]

That may be the case. They may have been trying to prove a point. However, if you are trying to prove a point, you have to be open to what the other side is saying. You have to listen to their side to dispute it and prove yours.

Even if they come in here with a closed-mind, which a lot of them do, they are going to remember how they were treated. They will remember if someone belittled them or made fun of them just as they would remember if someone was willing to listen to them, debate them, and be cordial and polite to them. If you feel belittled by what someone is saying, there's no chance you will ever step back and think about what they said. You'll just remember them for being a jerk. If someone is cordial and polite, even while disagreeing, you are more likely to think back to what they were saying and think about it. It might not happen as the person was saying it, but eventually, when things quiet down and they get by themselves, they are going to reflect on what happened.

[Hold My Own]

I just hate the fact that their way of living is NOT wrong no matter what you say...they are ALWAYS right about the subject matter and NEVER open themselves up to the thought "Hmm, maybe I'm wrong about something"


I cant stand people like that

[SuperJon]

I agree with you. And I know you're going to make a joke about me thinking I'm always right, but go back and you'll see where I've admitted when I was wrong.


I'm not condoning this group at all. I'm just saying that while we disagree with them and don't like them, that's no reason to make fun of them or be hostile towards them.

[newandimproved]

I just hate the fact that their way of living is NOT wrong no matter what you say...they are ALWAYS right about the subject matter and NEVER open themselves up to the thought "Hmm, maybe I'm wrong about something"


I cant stand people like that

they may view us in that same way though. Everybody is like that about something...

The thing that always makes me laugh is when the say, "There are gay students at LU!!" as if this some kind of shocking revelation...

[Hold My Own]

I know right, I could introduce them to tons...no homo

[SuperJon]

My complaint is that if those students feel so discriminated against or whatever, why don't they leave? If there was somewhere I didn't feel I was being treated right, I wouldn't stay there. Maybe there's a reason and I just don't get it, but that's one thing I don't understand.

[TDDance234]

I never realized just how many there are at Liberty until I became a part of Student Leadership. Seriously...it's an issue and most I knew didn't make it past one year at LU.

[4everfsu]

As far as what qkslvrsrfrboy said on his way to class to the gay protestor I don't see anything wrong. It may make that person think about what qkslvrsrfrboy said. I had put tyler name's in by mistake

[Kolzilla41]

Hey TBGBG,

I know you might not agree with the choice, but you will never truly help someone with your faith if you don't give them a little respect first. Remember, they are people too. I don't agree with it as much as you do but we need to have their hearts open in order to change them.