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Masturbation. Homosexuality. Impure thoughts. Oh my!
That was the basic message of a religious organization that started a second display on Northern Kentucky University's campus Nov. 12.
Faithful Soldier, a group from the School of Evangelism in Milwaukee, Wis., made its second appearance holding signs featuring things such as "Love is not lustful, self seeking, manipulative and whatever feels good. Love is pure, sacrificial, committed and faithful," citing 1 John 4:8.
Nicole Rinaldo, a student in the school, said the group came back to NKU because there was a good response when they first protested on campus Nov. 7.
According to Jason Storms, the director of the school, the point the group was trying to make was the importance of sexual ethics: one man and one woman, no masturbation and no premarital sex.
However, some students didn't understand why they came back to campus for a second time:
"God made everyone equal and (Storms) is sitting here degrading us for the choices we make," said freshman undeclared Nikki Meaninch. "Who is he to judge us? He is not God himself."
Student Sarah Enzweiler saw where Storms was coming from, but didn't agree with how he was preaching it.
"We don't mind he's here preaching the word," said Enzweiler, a junior education major. "Those of us Christians who know the word don't agree with him."
Dean of Students Matt Brown saw both protests as a good exercise of First Amendment rights. Brown said he didn't know the group planned to come. However, under the revised Free Expression Policy, outside groups are allowed on campus as long as they don't interfere with NKU's educational environment.
The irony of the situation, Brown said, was that students were getting upset with Storms' preaching, when they could have ignored him or walked away.
Overall, Storms was positive about the event; though there were mixed responses:
"Initially there was a lot of hostility… Then it got to a reasonable conversation," he said.
The group held other signs that said "respect your purity," "flee sexual immorality" and "in the beginning God made them male and female and a man should be joined into his wife and the two shall become one."
According to University Police Chief Harold Todd, no one was arrested during the Nov. 7 event. He added that officers might have told people to calm down, though no actions were taken.
In retaliation to the School of Evangelism's preaching, several students started holding hands and yelling, "I love dudes," and holding signs that said, "I have sex," "I do too" and "I masturbate."
"I don't feel like they're here to do good," said Elise Thompson, a sophomore fine arts major. "Did they really think they would come here and bring people together?"
Knapschaefe said she feels as though the response to the Nov. 7 protest was positive, and said she had several people thank her for coming. However, she noted that there was some negativity, but feels as though it is not directed toward them.
"Well, we figure it's not us they're getting mad at. If they have a problem with it, it's God who they have a problem with," Knapschaefer said.
According to Storms, he created the School of Evangelism three years ago with the intention of travelling around the country preaching. The school is a three-month certificate program.
Storms added that at most schools, students wouldn't get hands-on ministry experience, and he teaches students to "learn to defend what they believe."
The group, Faithful Soldier, is currently staying in Ohio. Knapschaefer said they have been traveling around the country going to different campuses such as Wright State University and the University of Cincinnati preaching the word of God.
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