Pepper Sprayed While Evangelizing

[David Hunter]

Greetings, friends! Just wanted to share an experience my friend, Ricky, had while out and about evangelizing at Cleveland State University the other day.

He was talking with a young guy, and they were talking about abortion, crowd was gathering, and there was one gal who took out her pepper spray and sprayed Ricky in the face. He wasn't interacting with her or anything, she just didn't like what he had to say.

The police quickly caught her but he decided not to press any charges (I have mixed feelings about this).

Here's a picture and the video... Thoughts?

Let's continue to pray for safety (as this can happen to any one of us), for all the lost souls or that this gal will turn to Jesus before it's too late.

 

[caffeinated hermit]

Be careful out there. People are getting more and more reactionary, violent, and entitled when faced with opinions they don't like. It might not be a bad idea to have some kind of police presence nearby when you share the Gospel or even ideas on campus. Just to encourage things to stay civil.

 

[Delvianna]

Evil is becoming more apparent with people just not holding back. I think he should have pressed charges because its behavior like that, that escalates. When you think you can get away with it, it only gives more incentive to keep doing it. She wasn't involved in the conversation, she did it purely as an attack because she didn't like what was said. That's assault and charges should have been pressed. People being held accountable for their actions needs to happen more or there will come a time when too many people become like her, and it makes it impossible to stay safe having these kinds of conversations with others.

 

[bèlla]

Are you a student at the university? Was your presence approved or did you walk on?

~bella

 

[timewerx]

Let's continue to pray for safety (as this can happen to any one of us), for all the lost souls or that this gal will turn to Jesus before it's too late.

Don't waste your time on people who resist. There are more "fertile grounds". This is the sad truth about Christian evangelicals, often wasting time on a few highly resistant people when at the same time, they could have won 20 more.

Remember about

Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

Jesus did the same thing in His ministry. Don't repeat the errors of other people.

I hope you remind your friend of that verse too.

 

[Matt5]

Black Students CHASE OUT White Conservative Speaker at HBCU - YouTube

If you go to a university campus in order to evangelize, then you could be at serious risk of violent attack. You need to pay for security. Plus, you need to get permission in writing from the university.

 

[bèlla]

Street evangelism can be a mixed bag and some groups are overly aggressive. They‘re banned in our area due to harassment and we have a christian school in the neighborhood. We have a similar policy regarding musicians and the like. It preserves the area’s integrity and keeps residents safe. Having an opinion doesn’t give you the right to be disruptive.

~bella

 

[mourningdove~]

Let's continue to pray for safety (as this can happen to any one of us), for all the lost souls or that this gal will turn to Jesus before it's too late.

P.S. It sounds like it's getting pretty 'rough' out there.
Stay safe in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

 

[David Hunter]

Thanks, y'all!

Are you a student at the university? Was your presence approved or did you walk on?

~bella

No he is not. The is a public university and you do not need permission.

Don't waste your time on people who resist. There are more "fertile grounds". This is the sad truth about Christian evangelicals, often wasting time on a few highly resistant people when at the same time, they could have won 20 more.

Remember about

Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

Jesus did the same thing in His ministry. Don't repeat the errors of other people.

I hope you remind your friend of that verse too.

There were a bunch of other people listening. You never know if the seed was planted or watered.

 

[timewerx]

There were a bunch of other people listening. You never know if the seed was planted or watered.

If a seed is planted, it would be enough for them to follow through their new-found interest. We have internet now that makes things a lot easier.

The Lord's ministry is always on the move. They don't get stuck in one place until everyone has believed. They're always on the move. They're not hoping to get attacked. Jesus would leave if the crowd is becoming hostile towards Him

If the Lord's method may seem cold and efficient, but that's how they did it as written in the Bible.

If the Father did not required Jesus to die on the cross, there's no reason for Jesus to be captured and executed. He could have evaded them easily and left Jerusalem entirely (Matthew 10:14)

 

[Confused-by-christianity]

...

Here's a picture and the video... Thoughts?

...

My thoughts are, I have rules ...

Some of these rules are ...

a) I always try to hear both sides of the story before forming a judgement. Until then, I try not to jump to conclusions.
b) I try to identify when someone is "manufacturing and feeding" me a story. When this happens - I consider that the source is basically selling outrage entertainment.

My assumptions about this are, someone selects a place where they can get a reaction for being controversial. They then project a horrible image onto those people. Those people sometimes act like monkeys and throw their poop at the offender.
The offender then feigns deep hurt, shock and heartfelt sorrow at the poor lost fools who are flinging their poop at the offender.

Both sides are satisfied.

The offender gets their reaction and a shallow pat on the back for being a righteous "martyr" and the poop flingers get their rage satisfied.

My thoughts are, it's a silly game. Antagonism vs Indifference. It seems the antagonists are winning.

Im thinking a lot about projection lately.

A group projects their idea of god to the world.

I hope to show people god as best i can.

When you go to a church, they will show you their picture of god and say "this is god".
It's our choice to accept their image or not.
When I see a preacher on a corner, or an offender out there offending - Im always asking myself what their image of god is.
What is he like and is that image right? Am I accepting that image or not?? What do they mean when they say "love your neighbour" ???

 

[bèlla]

My assumptions about this are, someone selects a place where they can be controversial and get a reaction.

My thoughts were along these lines and wholly with the students. As I read your post I thought about another scenario and the perspective may be controversial for some. The students are there to learn and paid to do so and should be able to live in peace. Whether you admit it or not you’re disturbing them and I don’t think its right.

You can’t go to Google and do the same. They’ll make you leave and rightfully so. They’re there for other purposes and your presence interrupts that. Now that we have the internet I think it’s necessary to reconsider our approach.

~bella

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Greetings, friends! Just wanted to share an experience my friend, Ricky, had while out and about evangelizing at Cleveland State University the other day.

He was talking with a young guy, and they were talking about abortion, crowd was gathering, and there was one gal who took out her pepper spray and sprayed Ricky in the face. He wasn't interacting with her or anything, she just didn't like what he had to say.

The police quickly caught her but he decided not to press any charges (I have mixed feelings about this).

Here's a picture and the video... Thoughts?

Let's continue to pray for safety (as this can happen to any one of us), for all the lost souls or that this gal will turn to Jesus before it's too late.

View attachment 370625

If you aren't already, you might want to get up to speed on how some forms of Neo-Marxist ideology are being inculcated among the student populations in many college social science classrooms. Not all students these days are merely what they used to be----passive, money paying consumers of information in the name of education for the purpose of obtaining a degree. Some are in college and find themselves identifying with certain leftist college groups, becoming a part of what they think is a major movement for political change against an abusive bourgeoisie class of "others." These individuals will not be wandering around with a "red badge of courage" to identify who they are. Some students, too, enter college, already a part of various Leftist groups.

My point is this: When you're on campus, speaking to young people, you're no longer talking to predominantly peaceful, open minded students who are simply 'lost' and in need of Christ. No, a portion of them are now entrenched within a leftist political ideology that is virulent and predisposed to opposing the Gospel and to what it perceives is "the problem." When you combine this fact with the additional fact that a certain percentage of those same leftist students also struggle with mental health issues, you're facing a cocktail of volatile human perceptions that a confident and apologetic presentation of the Gospel message isn't going to reach through and awaken, no matter how friendly and rational you seemingly express it.

As other posters above have stated, you need to be taking well thought out safety precautions, much more than you once did.

Peace in Christ.

 

[Confused-by-christianity]

My thoughts were along these lines and wholly with the students. As I read your post I thought about another scenario and the perspective may be controversial for some. The students are there to learn and paid to do so and should be able to live in peace. Whether you admit it or not you’re disturbing them and I don’t think its right.

You can’t go to Google and do the same. They’ll make you leave and rightfully so. They’re there for other purposes and your presence interrupts that. Now that we have the internet I think it’s necessary to reconsider our approach.

~bella

I think it's just a bit of a game to be honest.

 

[mourningdove~]

The police quickly caught her but he decided not to press any charges (I have mixed feelings about this).

Here's a picture and the video... Thoughts?

My thoughts?

- I have mixed feelings, too, about not pressing charges.
It is the issue of the pepper spray; she used it as a weapon.
Too violent a reaction as to be acceptable, imo.
But ... I also understand why your friend chose not to press charges.

- I hope Ricky keeps preaching it!
It is not the time to go silent, keep what we know to ourselves.
Jesus is coming soon!

Go forth, and preach the Word ...
and may God continue to bless and protect!

 

[mourningdove~]

My point is this: When you're on campus, speaking to young people, you're no longer talking to predominantly peaceful, open minded students who are simply 'lost' and in need of Christ. No, a portion of them are now entrenched within a leftist political ideology that is virulent and predisposed to opposing the Gospel and to what it perceives is "the problem." When you combine this fact with the additional fact that a certain percentage of those same leftist students also struggle with mental health issues, you're facing a cocktail of volatile human perceptions that a confident and apologetic presentation of the Gospel message isn't going to reach through and awaken, no matter how friendly and rational you seemingly express it.

As other posters above have stated, you need to be taking well thought out safety precautions, much more than you once did.

These men are brave ... courageous ... to be going into these hostile areas to preach the Word.
So many of us do not have the courage ... the faith ... the passion ... to do what they are doing.
It is a 'calling' for sure ... to be willing to potentially lay down one's life for another.

One surely must be compelled by love ... love for Jesus, love for the lost ... to go out there and take such risks nowadays.
But the Apostles took many risks. And God was with them.
More safety precautions today when possible? Yes.
And God will be with these brave men, too.

 

[1Tonne]

Don't waste your time on people who resist. There are more "fertile grounds". This is the sad truth about Christian evangelicals, often wasting time on a few highly resistant people when at the same time, they could have won 20 more.

Remember about

Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

Jesus did the same thing in His ministry. Don't repeat the errors of other people.

I hope you remind your friend of that verse too.

It is wise to share the Gospel in places where people may be more receptive, but Scripture also teaches us to scatter the seed broadly, because we do not know how God will work in a person’s heart. Even in places where people may seem entirely opposed, some may quietly listen and be changed over time.
Jesus Himself said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23) shows that seed is sown on all kinds of ground, path, rocky soil, thorns, and good soil. Some will not respond, some will fall away, but some will bear fruit a hundredfold. We cannot know in advance which hearts will respond; it is God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

Even someone like Charlie Kirk faced opposition when he first went to universities, yet over time, his words reached many and had a lasting impact. In the same way, sharing the Gospel faithfully, even in difficult places, may plant seeds that God will use to change lives in ways we cannot yet see.

My thoughts are, I have rules ...

Some of these rules are ...

a) I always try to hear both sides of the story before forming a judgement. Until then, I try not to jump to conclusions.
b) I try to identify when someone is "manufacturing and feeding" me a story. When this happens - I consider that the source is basically selling outrage entertainment.

My assumptions about this are, someone selects a place where they can get a reaction for being controversial. They then project a horrible image onto those people. Those people sometimes act like monkeys and throw their poop at the offender.
The offender then feigns deep hurt, shock and heartfelt sorrow at the poor lost fools who are flinging their poop at the offender.

Both sides are satisfied.

The offender gets their reaction and a shallow pat on the back for being a righteous "martyr" and the poop flingers get their rage satisfied.

My thoughts are, it's a silly game. Antagonism vs Indifference. It seems the antagonists are winning.

Im thinking a lot about projection lately.

A group projects their idea of god to the world.

I hope to show people god as best i can.

When you go to a church, they will show you their picture of god and say "this is god".
It's our choice to accept their image or not.
When I see a preacher on a corner, or an offender out there offending - Im always asking myself what their image of god is.
What is he like and is that image right? Am I accepting that image or not?? What do they mean when they say "love your neighbour" ???

It’s true, some will seek reactions, and others respond with anger or indifference, but God’s work doesn’t depend on our recognition or the reactions of the crowd.
Jesus warned against doing things for show: “Beware of practising your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). When we share the Gospel, our goal isn’t to get applause or shock, but to faithfully point people to Christ.

It’s also true that everyone has some image of God, whether from culture, church, or personal experience. Our responsibility is to show God as He truly is: holy, just, merciful, and loving (Exodus 34:6–7; 1 John 4:8). Jesus is the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15), and He showed us what it means to love our neighbour, even those who oppose us (Luke 6:27–31).

Even if people react poorly or misunderstand, planting the seed faithfully matters. God is the one who transforms hearts, not the reactions of the crowd (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). That’s why people like Charlie Kirk have gone to universities even knowing they would face opposition. Over time, consistent, faithful witness can quietly change lives; even when it seems like no one is listening.

I think it's just a bit of a game to be honest.

How do you share the Gospel?

These men are brave ... courageous ... to be going into these hostile areas to preach the Word.
So many of us do not have the courage ... the faith ... the passion ... to do what they are doing.
It is a 'calling' for sure ... to be willing to potentially lay down one's life for another.

One surely must be compelled by love ... love for Jesus, love for the lost ... to go out there and take such risks nowadays.
But the Apostles took many risks. And God was with them.
More safety precautions today when possible? Yes.
And God will be with these brave men, too.

Yes. As Christians, we need to take up our cross. Even if it means persecution. To stay silent when people are perishing shows a lack of regard for God's creation and his sacrifice.

 

[Confused-by-christianity]

Hi 1Tonne
thanks for responding. and it seems we agree quite a bit in principle - when you break it down.
i wonder where we differ and why (if at all) ??
Perhaps in our perceptions of an event ??
- specifically - maybe you're more likely to think a situation is natural and i'm more likely to think it's manipulated for outrage.

... but God’s work doesn’t depend on our recognition or the reactions of the crowd ....

I think so too.
I guess thats why i see a red flag ...
This video to me seems like a person going to a place likely to be volatile, discussing a wedge topic, generating a bad reaction from members in the crowd (who were stupid enough to oblige), and then sharing the video for recognition.

It seems contrived to me. Its an eye poke.

It seems like this video depends on recognition or reactions of the crowd.

Jesus warned against doing things for show: “Beware of practising your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).

This is admirable and i would agree. we should not put on a show.

When we share the Gospel, our goal isn’t to get applause or shock, but to faithfully point people to Christ.

I guess each person will have to make up their own mind.
Is this a sensational show is or this done in a right or loving heart.
Is the event an eyepoke?
or ...
is an innocent loving person going out and sharing gods beauty - and getting pepper sprayed for it???
I guess it can be judged on a case by case basis

It’s also true that everyone has some image of God, whether from culture, church, or personal experience. Our responsibility is to show God as He truly is:

Yes - agreed.
I dont know about the use of the word responsible - but sure. I agree in principle. Its very likely that in doing gods will, we are requested to love one another. We are to do our best to show god to people.
As he truly is - thats a tough ask ... we cant know for sure if we are displaying god as he truly is, all we can do is try to get our intentions right. Have a sincere heart. I guess its better to be in error with a sincere heart than to be intentionally bad. One is a mistake - the other is a freewill choice.

Personally - i show god as "i believe" he truly is, and then, direct people to pray for themselves.
I do a handover to god.

holy, just, merciful, and loving (Exodus 34:6–7; 1 John 4:8). Jesus is the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15), and He showed us what it means to love our neighbour, even those who oppose us (Luke 6:27–31).

Yes - agreed - more or less. (running out of time so cant nitpick on wording).

Even if people react poorly or misunderstand, planting the seed faithfully matters.

Agreed - basically. good sincere work matters.

God is the one who transforms hearts,

Yes probably true ... (sorry - running out of time, but no immediate objections from me on this. Maybe better to view the transforming of hearts as a cooperative between god and i - i have a part to play and god does too - which results in the transforming of a heart - i wouldn't quibble if someone got into the nitty gritty of it all)

not the reactions of the crowd (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

I see a lot of what i would call - orchestrating reactions of crowds.

Although - i agree with how youre presenting the case of "how it should be".
Is the video to me illustrating "how it should be?"
or is it an immitation - masquerading of "how it should be"

That’s why people like Charlie Kirk have gone to universities even knowing they would face opposition. Over time, consistent, faithful witness can quietly change lives; even when it seems like no one is listening.

I honestly haven't seen any of charlie kirks videos.

I do avoid things on youtube which i think are engineered to court controversy - this might be why ???

How do you share the Gospel?

I try to get an accurate picture of god through prayer and scripture.
I then project that image to people - whoever im given.
when people ask what my secret is - i tell them ...
Look to god. Or - let them put two and two together.

Yes. As Christians, we need to take up our cross. Even if it means persecution.

Absolutely.
The courage displayed by people who might face life in solitary confinement. in tortuous conditions. Its hard to conceive.
I always wonder if i would have the courage to risk it all like those people have - if i were asked to. if / when the time comes.
I don’t see courage in the video.

Just an aside …
I actually think fighting is the easy bit.
i guess it seems natural to me to draw a line and then fight over it. Fighting seems like what you do when you lack faith and courage. ???

To stay silent when people are perishing shows a lack of regard for God's creation and his sacrifice.

Agreed - in principle. running out of time - but i wouldnt quibble over this

... ... ...

I guess - to me - when i see the video - my thoughts are -
i see a game.
that being said - i need more context - but basically - im watching a silly game. the less seriously i take it all the better. It's betterr to ignore it and stay focussed on my mission - of which i think this is a distraction from what i think is gods work.

I dont see someone courageously and honorably going into the breach and loving people with gods love.
I see someone going out and picking a fight - poking people in the eye - then displaying the results and waving up sympathy.
I just cant bring myself to get on board with it.
If that is who they think god is, then im afraid i'll have to pass.

 

[Confused-by-christianity]

My thoughts were along these lines and wholly with the students.

I think the students ought not be getting involved in this stuff. they should stay focused on their job - which is to learn.

By getting all worked up and arguing with these folks - you're playing right into their hands.

The game is to show up and antagonise you - if you react - you lose.

The checkmate play is to not participate in flinging poop. Just carry on with your day, ignore it politely and go to your lectures.

The game is to fight. courage is to not fight. fighting is the easy bit. dont be exploited.

 

[bèlla]

I think the students ought not be getting involved in this stuff. they should stay focused on their job - which is to learn.

I agree and I don’t think the schools should allow it. There’s also safety factors too and there’s a lot going on in the world. We have to be more mindful of security.

By getting all worked up and arguing with these folks - you're playing right into their hands.

We have a christian college in our area and they swarmed a group of people coming from the synagogue during Hanukkah and surrounded them and shoved leaflets towards us. The way out was blocked. I threatened to get the police and they moved but I think someone complained. It never happened again nor do you see anything related to evangelism in the neighborhood and several years have passed. We’re not hostile but we don’t want to be disturbed.

The experience made me look at evangelism through different eyes. I see a lot of things I don’t agree with and methods I find distasteful. And I’ve seen what you described and been in settings where “get em anyway you can was the motto.”

~bella