Real Recognize Real: Christianity & Negativity

A few weeks ago, two individuals of different ethnicities who identified as Christians came to our beloved campus. Their radical Christianity sparked an uproar. Telling women they were condemned to hell if they were not virgins and didn’t repent. Their banner spoke the most. Listing all sins both known to the students and others left students with more questions than answers. Many students identified as Christians confirmed that what their banner said was not wrong, but their methods were.
They were informed by Southern University’s Police Department that they had to move from near the Delta Sigma Theta plot to the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union. At this time, a large crowd of students began to gather around them like a swarm of bees to honey. Along with them, some members of a local church in Baker along with the Lead Pastor appeared shortly after they stood outside the student union.
As the pastor of the local church spoke after the young men left, many students began walking away. In his explanation, he explained that even though the banner was not incorrect, Christians still had to follow a certain process. I found it interesting that he spoke not out of condemnation, but from a place of understanding.
Sin doesn’t stop overnight, but it takes time. While he discussed this, many of the students began to walk away. He did not condemn anyone to Hell. However, he spoke with a voice of love. The Bible does say that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. However, some believers are radicalized which causes many to walk away not just from church, but from God. Yet our students stood there and talked to them for hours entertaining them and feeding into their manipulations. As a result of this attention, they returned the next day.
Why do we only respond to those that are negative towards us? Why can’t we have that same energy to stand there and listen to someone of our race that is not spurring hate, but love? Are we only used to negativity because that’s what we grew up around? Why must we keep the same mindset? How do we change? How are we to grow if we keep listening to those that tear us down?