Visiting APSUniversity in Tennessee I discovered that three ultra conservative Christian Groups visit campus annually to preach and exercise free speech rights. WestBoro Baptist Church, a particular Protestant church, and a white nationalist evangelical group. The two individuals in this video are each from a separate church. John is from the protestant. Jamey from the white nationalist.

We sat down with these individuals because stuents were reporting that these visits are very triggering and upsetting. The preachers do tend to tell any student passing by that they are on a sinful path for whatever lifestyle they may have if it isn't Christian or if it is Christian but not following to the specifics of that group. They also tell the students that they are going to hell.

(THE FOLLOWING VIDEO HAS BEEN UNALTERED FOR AUTHENTICITY. THAT MEANS THERES A IMPERFECT SPEECH. FEEL FREE TO JUMP AROUND ITS A ROLLERCOASTER)

As a person who's grown up in a Catholic household, and became a born again Christian even going on mission trips to central America (now I have my own space with the universe and my own set of beliefs that are unique from those teachings) I know that many individuals I've encountered in various denominations of Christianity only preach that people are going to hell in order to let them know the gravity of "the situation". It is out of an earnest and often desperate attempt to save people from what they believe to be eternal damnation in the afterlife burning in hell. Although I don't agree with all that is constituted as a "sin" or with the ideaology I can find appreciation and gratitude for the care about my well being and salvation.

Where it crosses the line is when one devalues the existence of another, gives unsolicited condemnation of another's nonviolent existence, or insists that there is a predetermined hierarchy amongst humans. Fear tactics, calling for violent action or language against an individual or group, and intentional psychological manipulation.

This group is not as intense as the Westboro Baptist church, but they were a great place to start for us in these kinds of conversations. They do have very extreme view points and would make homosexuality illegal if possible. So it's important to understand why, so we can find responses to them that occur in their language. At the very least also so we can support people who are growing up in these environments hating themselves for their sexuality or sexual orientation.

We didn't sit down with the aim to convert them or to accost them. We just wanted to ask sincere questions and find some sense of common ground that can thread us together as humans as we work for a better future/now.

HAVE A GOOD RESPONSE TO ANY OF THEIR POINTS IN THE VIDEO? COMMENT BELOW! I will be comprising a sheet of "points and answers" to be a resource for individuals who may need it.