In response to the showcase in front of the Union by a self-proclaimed Christian extremist, it seems necessary to show that there is a correct way to inform others of your beliefs and a wrong way. There is certainly nothing wrong with sharing what you believe in with others in a low-stress environment where an actual conversation can be had. There is something wrong when your presentation of beliefs moves closer to televangelism than an actual discussion and people are gathering around you because they think you are a lunatic, rather than focusing on the content of what you have to say.

There is also nothing wrong with spreading the word of God so others may be able to change the way they go about their lives. There is something wrong with imposing and forcing your beliefs on to others, as we saw at the Union on Tuesday.

I understand the defense is that someone is allowed to preach in a public place and fulfill their mission in spreading the gospel. But when that mission becomes so clouded by argument for argument’s sake, the entire message of the presentation is gone. Whether or not you agree with the man who was preaching, we can all say that shows like that are not to the benefit of anyone. People will either become so angered by the relentless quoting of the Bible and at the saturated use of sentences beginning with “Jesus says…” or they will agree with you. And is getting people to agree with your Christian interpretation of the world worth the anger and negativity we saw this week? If all you are doing is provoking anger and dismay, then maybe your approach to spreading the gospel is misguided.

This is just one isolated problem, but what happened on Tuesday is emblematic of so many other issues. You cannot force your beliefs on anyone. This shouldn’t need to be stated, yet here I am saying it. The prophetic attitude taken by the Christian extremist (those are not my words as he referred to himself as a Christian extremist) is one full of a nasty apprehension for non-Christians, a self-righteous world view and a bloated, narcissistic sense of duty in spreading the word of a Christian God. And while he may claim he is simply trying to spread the word, he is not doing so.

I sincerely hope we do not continue to see fanatics and misguided individuals drawing our attention on our campus as it further polarizes ourselves from one another and, while the one professing may be hoping for good, no good will come of the situation.