Here is the full article Fistful. I say "my university" like I am hiding somthing, but I have spelled out UTSA dozens of times on THR so I guess that's a little silly.
In case you dont read the whole thing, the Secular Students Alliance brought him out because they were tired of hearing Christians say "I've never met a Christian like that," ala fistful.
My Christian friends were upset at him... because he was "twisting Christianity and making it look hateful." I would point out, he is not making any of this up and at the very worst he is exagerating some things found in the bible. I have more respect for this dude's faith than I do those friends of mine who complained about him. He says it like it is, and doesnt water his faith down to fit into modern society... even if his faith is utterly disgusting.
http://media.www.theindependentutsa.com/media/storage/paper1093/news/2007/02/19/News/Venyah.Condemns.Utsa-2727034.shtmlVenyah Condemns UTSA
Secular Student Alliance brings Preacher to Campus
Kalia Malone
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: News
Michael Venyah, 38 year old from Michigan, decided to head to UTSA "last Saturday after the Lord commanded me to come." With wife of three and a half years, Tamika, and their child, Venyah travels the world spreading his message. His goal? To save the sinners from hell. His message drew such a strong response from the student body he was removed from campus on Monday and Tuesday.
Wednesday, Secular Student Alliance stepped in and gave him a table under their organization. "We believe in the right to freedom of speech" said Nick Paschall, President of SSA.
"Venyah was being removed from campus because of what he was saying." Paschall said. "Showing just how much we believe in the first amendment, we decided to share a table with Venyah."
While he passed out things like "You have been lied to about God" SSA passed out condoms from UTSA student health center and fliers for the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who opposes "the dangerous agenda of Religious Right groups like the Christian Coalition and Focus on the Family." SSA doesn't agree with him but "brought him to show what they don't like, closed minded individuals."
Venyah could be considered closed minded. His bright red shirt displayed "All homos go to Hell", and "No Homos go to Heaven" in bold letters, but his message was not limited to those who live a homosexual lifestyle. According to Venyah, anyone who sins by any definition the Bible gives is headed down. Both him and his wife claim to live a life completely without sin, although Tamika said that "if I sin I am no longer a Christian." When asked if he takes the Bible literally, he said "the Bible is for literal interpretation with metaphoric context."
Students from all backgrounds agreed that Venyah was not the best vessel to give a message of turning to God. Ryan, a Political Science major and Junior at UTSA said "it's about the end result not about the freedom of speech. No on should be subjected to a hate message." According to Venyah, God does in fact hate some people. "God does not love those who sin against him" he said when asked. He also mentioned Ezekiel 7:3-4 that talks about the judgment of God.
Ana Graves, Campus Minister with Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship, said "he portrayed Christianity as a hateful thing. The truth is Jesus loves us and wants us to show love to others." Although she did admit that the Bible says homosexuality is wrong, she said "God is a forgiving God, one that loves us in the midst of our sins." She was not alone. Anthony, Psychology major and senior said that Venyah made him "uncomfortable". He quoted Paul the Apostle, "'would you rather I came with a whip or with love,' people don't respond well to a whip".
"It's a little crazy. He's supposed to be a man of god and it's like, he has a lot of hatred." Said Tiffany Kindred, a students who seemed offended by Venyah's preaching. "It's just a lot. If we don't get it right we're all gonna go to hell."
After his interview, Venyah prayed that I would "turn to the Lord and escape damnation" and as a reporter I would share the truth. Was his prayer successful? You tell me.