Religious Controversy on Campus

“Repent and Believe the Gospel” was the message being displayed by a very vocal missionary at Yuba College on September 29th. Ryan Dozier, the missionary in question arrived on campus early in the morning and set up his sign. For some time no one really took notice until at 12:00 noon a large almost mob like crowd had gathered and was engaging Dozier in a heated debate with many different views being expressed. The air was ripe with tension and several hot topics were brought up, including homosexuality, while Dozier tried to preach. Several bystanders yelled obscenities while others tried to ask reasoned serious questions and some even supported Dozier. One student who had voiced strong attacks containing harsh language said when questioned about the event “This brings me joy I’m laughin my ass off”. Yet this same student who was one of the most aggressive questioners said that he had to give Dozier respect for standing up to several harsh people and speaking his beliefs. One of the central ideas that Dozier was preaching was that there is no foundation for morality apart from the Bible. While several bystanders cited the event as “entertaining” some did have earnest questions for Dozier. A Sikh student said “Isn’t it better if he didn’t do this and was just a good person then everyone would see he’s a good Christian”. He further asked Dozier if prayer in church wouldn’t be a better way to reach people, saying that praying for Jesus to help people come to him would be better then shouting on the corner. Still some just flipped Dozier off and left their comments at that. Some students in the crowd agreed with Dozier. Lupita Angel, a Catholic, said of the preaching “I agree with it”. She then said how she feels that today it is okay to insult religion while other views have to be respected saying “you have to respect religion as well”. Several bystanders said things such as ‘nobody is right’ or ‘everybody is right’ to which Dozier replied “the Bible is right”.One common complaint from the crowd was that Dozier was shouting at people but spectators defended him saying hes just trying to make sure everyone can hear him. In addressing freedom of thought Dozier said “everybody has a right to an opinion but not every opinion is right”. The whole event was a vibrant example of controversial discussion at Yuba College. A couple of hours later after the heat died down and the crowd went away Dozier remained to answer questions from the remaining students and talk to fellow Christian students.