Soulforce Equality Ride; Reflections on Oklahoma Baptist

Soulforce Equality Riders Katie Higgins and Robin Reynolds reflect on their arrests on March 14, 2007, when they attempted to attend the Worship of God in the Chapel on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Oklahoma

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• soulforce
• equality
• ride
• oklahoma
• baptist
• university
• obu
• shawnee
• chapel
• church
• worship
• civil
• disobedience

[sOLeeSoL]

There's a lotta cool people in soulforce. They actually just finished visiting my school. I felt like it was mostly monologue as opposed to dialogue. . .which is what they said they were coming for. Also, a lot of the questions that students were directing towards the equality riders were being beat around the bush. In other words, they would try to answer a question with a question; which leaves more questions.

[matthillnc]

Making people think for themselves (i.e. posing questions as an answer to a question) is a great way to make people realize things they may have never realized before. Some of the greatest movers and shakers of our world, including Christ, Gandhi, and King, did exactly the same thing.

[sOLeeSoL]

That is partially true. However, answering a question with a question, and not answering the first question that was posed to clarify what the point of the individual is trying to make isn't helpful at all. It confuses people. I don't have a problem with homosexuals, I know people who are LGBT (I think that's the order? Lol). But there were some ppl here at Gordon who were left without a lot of things unanswered. It was good to expose them to one of the real world components though.

[matthillnc]

There will always be unanswered questions. We can't answer them all. I'm sorry that we weren't able to do that; I don't think it is even possible... but this is why we have all our email addresses on our website and we encourage folks to email us and continue these conversations even after we leave. One thing that has upset me on this Ride is that we come to these campuses for one day and then we leave; no where near enough time to talk to everyone or answer every question.

[sOLeeSoL]

Yeah. That really is unfortunate. Anyway, love all of you guys in the love of Christ, and hope that Gods plans and purposes are fufilled in all of you. I didn't get to sit down and chat with anyone, but maybe I'll follow up with that on the website and shoot an email to someone. Randomly, yes, but w/e. I love meeting new people!! Lotsa love, and God bless you!

[matthillnc]

Wait... you didn't get to sit down and chat with anyone and you are talking about unanswered questions? Now I'm going to assume you just saw the panel discussion. Okay... yeah... Please don't judge us on the panel discussion and DEFINITELY email one of us... then tell me whether or not you think questions have been answered.

[stephenjjcarns]

All of you are so busy trying to be so different, that it actually makes you exactly like everyone else.

I was at OBU (trying to go to class) that day, watching what was happening. It was a non-violent protest, true... but, you were told what would happen if you came onto campus. We pay over $20,000/year to attend this school and get a great education. If you're going to come here, uninvited and muck up our schedule and think nothing is going to happen, you're mistaken. Pure ignorance

[MatthewRico]

Jesus associated with prostitutes (probably some homosexual) and all kinds of sinners. Shouldn't you show the same love for them even if you believe they are sinners?

[Gigrantula58]

There are some bigoted responses from so-called "Christians" to this. Yes, you are all free to practice your religion, but you do not have the freedom to impose those beliefs on others. They are out there for awareness. It was non-violent. Maybe your university should rethink their stances on LGBT issues and civil rights instead of acting like closed-minded hypocrites.

[Convertable]

what are you trying to prove?

[blkmgic]

You did not want to worship you want to push your ideas, be they true or untrue, OBU is a PRIVATE college. Anyone is welcome as long as you follow the rules set forth by the PRIVATE college. HELLO!!

[Neeki101]

Yes but when they send hateful letters to your school and tell you that despite your request for them to not come to your campus... they are anyway... thats not Christ like either.. and besides.. they just want to trip you up in your words they are not in it for Christ.. .just their simple minded standards.. WE DONT HAVE TO CONFORM TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PART OF THE WORLD... BTW.... dont talk about DR KING because he was fighting a legitimate fight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[compgrad1]

We are all sick and sinfull, but live a gay life knowing that it is wrong and claim yourself a christian?Do u really think this is ok with God?What about Sodoma and Gomorra?You don't have the right to walk inside a christian university doing whatever you want, if I walk inside my university saying they need to know Jesus and repent from their sins I will probably be arrested too because they are atheists.You need to repent and stop living this life style.I am not judging u but u need to repent.

[MrChubbs3094]

You were given access to the GC which 90% of the student body goes to every day. What other access do you want...to come to class with us. OBU is a PRIVATE no public university. It almost makes sense to get arrested for trespassing on private property huh? And we dont hate you by the way, we simply dissagree with you which you were given access to talk with students regarding that dissagreement. You believe one way, we believe another. Call the cold case files, I just solved a mystery!

[krileyzz]

i am so sorry that you have so much hatred in your life. i am praying for you that you someday are able to find love in your heart for all of God's people.

[smoot1426]

You were arrested because you were tresspassing, not going to church. you were given freedom on your first visit, and you painted us as biggots, why would be accomidate you again. You claim to love Christ, but instead of ministering to the lost you ride around to Christian campuses and try to make Christians out to look bad. stop picking fights and grow up. If you didnt like me, i wouldnt come to your house and stand in your yard tresspassing, and cry when I got arrested for it. ridiculous.