University Protest: Exchanging Fisticuffs for Gentleness

Earlier this year Doug Wilson traveled from Moscow, Idaho, to the Bloomington campus of Indiana University to deliver a series of lectures on sexuality. In the weeks leading up to the event, articles in the student paper accused Wilson of being sexist and a homophobic racist. At the event, Wilson stood before a crammed lecture hall facing nearly 400 people, many of whom were angry protestors.

Wilson gave two lectures and a two-hour Q+A afterwards. The event was continually interrupted by planned protests, angry outbursts, and hateful slurs. One student was arrested and more than 20 were asked to leave. Nevertheless, Wilson displayed an unusual gentleness throughout.

I asked Wilson a few questions about the event and how to engage in apologetics in such a difficult climate. We talked about the use of satire and gentleness, why the issue of homosexuality is such a challenge to the legitimacy of Christianity today, and what he would've done differently.

You were warned about this event. But were you still surprised by the level of animosity?

I was not completely surprised, but I have to say I was somewhat surprised. I know that there are folks out there like that, and I have seen this kind of thing before. But what was surprising was the level of energy in opposing just a couple of talks scheduled for a classroom—their response was way out of proportion to what was going to happen, and so I suppose we should thank them for helping to make it such a roaring success. Seriously . . . couldn't have done it without them.

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Evermyrtle

The only thing in this article that gives enough information is his gentleness against protestors. Gentleness will not save you. JESUS CHRIST was not always gentle. He rant the abusers of the temple out of it, with his whip.
- Taquoshi
  
  Most respectfully, I disagree with your statement that the article was advocating that gentleness would save someone. That was not the point. Unless you watched the full tape of the lectures and the following Question and Answer periods, there's no way to tell whether he discussed salvation at all.
  
  The point of the article was grace under fire. The protestors were loud, angry and disrespectful. Mr. Wilson was not. He did not have to get into a shouting match or a confrontation with the protestors. That's what they wanted. All Mr. Wilson had to do was to present his viewpoint, which he did.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    It is your right to disagree and I respect that , and no, gentleness will not save. I thought the article sounded like that was the answer. Gentleness is a wonderful thing, something that a lot of us have little of. No I did not listen to the tape, and without the tape I could see little of what he was professing.
    - Taquoshi
      
      I was able to watch the shorter clip, but not able to get the longer video to play. He was able to use satire to score some points with the crowd without putting anyone down or becoming aggressive in his manner.
- http://youtu.be/HlD3Gaq4cN0 Despeville
  
  Evermuddled,
  
  Your Mormon, created "Jesus" is a fake and as such he cannot save you.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    Ignorance does not merit an answer!!
Taquoshi

I think the most enlightening comment was

"But what was surprising was the level of energy in opposing just a couple of talks scheduled for a classroom—their response was way out of proportion to what was going to happen, and so I suppose we should thank them for helping to make it such a roaring success."

It appears that the over the top actions of the "pro-gay" crowd is very hypocritical. Also, Mr. Wilson pointed out in one of the clips that the protestors had two very clearly defined mantras. One was Freedom of Speech and the second one was "Shut Up". Immediately, someone in the crowd yelled, "Yeah! Shut Up!" This got a laugh from the crowd and Mr. Wilson announced that it was a testimony to his statement. Hopefully those who were there that day went home with some different ideas to consider.
John J Flanagan

There is no easy way, no gentle way, no acceptable approach to stating one's opposition to the immoral and amoral lifestyle's now in vogue. People do not want to hear the message, they do not want God's views on the matter, nor do they want to change or abandon the darkness that covers their pagan souls. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that one in this situation can be transformed. Forget being nice. Be bold. Be unrelenting. Contend for the faith. Speak the truth. Pull as many from the fire as you can by the grace of God. God does not need cowards in His army. He needs soldiers, courageous, fearless. We are facing the darkness of Satan's forces. To be a Christian in these times will require some guts.
Taquoshi

Personally, by God's grace, I am not going to abandon my convictions, but I truly believe that I do not have to be aggressive or get in someone's face to state my convictions. Some may be called to do that.

One thing that it is important to remember is that many of these people are lost, just as I was before God graciously reached down to redeem my sins and save my soul. I hope and pray that among those that were in the audience when Mr. Wilson spoke left those lectures with something to think about, something new to consider. The protestors consider Mr. Wilson a homophobic racists, but then again, these days who isn't? They claimed he was sexist. However, apparently the question and answer period went on for two hours. That's significant. People apparently had questions and hopefully Mr. Wilson was able to point them in the right direction. After that, it's in God's hands.
keyboardshark

Sadly, this is usually the default response of those whose position on an issue will not stand the scrutiny of truth–attack, villify,and slander the messenger. Rather than engage in an honest debate of the issues, the pro-homo, pro-evolution crowd can only resort to juvenile attacks and protests such as these, the obvious reason being that their ideas will fall apart under examination of the facts. Ultimately, though, the root cause is their hatred of God and His Laws which stand in contrast to their sinful lives.
Mike

Why are we surprised at all that Satan would use chaos in such a manner. He doesn't want change for the better. Better to simply thank the Lord that chaos is not His way.
Wayne

What I always find most fascinating in these discussions with homosexual activists is that they do not reason. They are not willing to learn. They are consumed by their self-absorption of will. The truth is not what they seek at all. They do not know the truth when it is spoken plainly to them. They are angry when told the truth because it does not conform to their own childish self will. They are truly lost, and in need of a savior, but they first must accept the fact that they are sinners and need to see things in a new light.
- Glen S
  
  This can be said about many Believers. Wayne, you need to be careful making a blanket statement about one activist group. Have you read most of the posts on this site from "Christians." I eagerly await you beginning to condemn the hateful speech of our fellow Christians.
Wayne

Glen, thank you for your response. I am slow in getting back as I do not often review for comments, or further discussion. Just to make it clear, I do not reserve those earlier statements to homosexual activists, that is the subject at hand. I do however believe that they are one of the most vocal groups, deeply concerned with the preservation of their sinful activities. They go so far in protecting their sin as to push an agenda toward homosexual activity being embraced as a social norm . They also push an agenda toward teaching it in public schools. It is becoming well known fact that there are approximately 3% population who are LGBT. From their political activism levels, some might think they were 80% of the population. That proves their level of activism is not found commonly elsewhere. If we consider in degrees the level of misdirection, there are many Christian organizations that do not believe exactly as the bible teaches. I am among them! I do not know fully the truth of God, only God does. I find myself and ALL other Christians as sinful in nature and unable to conform to the full will of God,but we do try, and we do seek truth. What I am saying is that when it comes to the obvious, and what the word of God spells out exactly as sin, the homosexual community makes extraordinary efforts to blind their eyes and cover their ears for fear of facing the truth. Indeed they go even further to try to make us all embrace their lifestyle. Yes, Christians can be hateful in their speech. We are guilty at times too of being blinded, but when told of it, we will likely agree and take measures to correct it in our heart and outward actions. If a Christian is so full of himself that he does not seek the truth, then God will deal with their pride.