The Spanish, The French, the New World, and the Story of Religion at LSU

LSU Free Speech Alley

The Spanish and French ventures into the New World have very distinct histories, and the methods through which they spread Christianity reflects those differences. The two European powers had similar interests: bring Christ to the New World, expand territorial bounds, and profit from New World resources.

The Spanish Inquisition was marked by forced conversion, violence, and revolt. Catholicism was forced upon the indigenous people they encountered. Missionaries and conquistadors established mission communities and sought to destroy indigenous religion. It was a dark time and built tensions between the Spanish and the indigenous peoples.

The French venture into the New World was vastly different. It focused more on relationship-building with Native Americans through trade and shared experience. The French were more accommodating in their message of Christ. Missionaries isolated themselves and immersed themselves in Native American life. It wasn't forced conversion and wasn't nearly as contentious.

Centuries have passed, but religion here at LSU draws a number of parallels. We've all encountered the visiting evangelists in Free Speech Alley sharing the word of God. In a way, LSU and its students are the New World -students who are wild, uncivilized and bound for hell according to some of our religious guests. LSU is a campus full of alcohol, partying, sex, drugs, short-shorts, gangster rap, liberal ideology, etc. What's so different from the New World with its indigenous peoples who were so primitive?

Enter Brother Jed and Jesus Talk. Both share Christian messages, but their tactics couldn't be more different. It feels like the discovery of the Americas all over again.

Brother Jed preaches to a crowd of students with signs.

Brother Jed, staff in hand, is speaking loudly at a crowd of students. "You're all going to hell," he says -what a charmer. The students reply back with sarcastic remarks. They argue and yell back. They ignore Jed's notion of Christianity and refuse to accept his teachings. He's persistent though. Hell-fire and brimstone is the message, but nobody is listening.

Jesus Talk speaks with two LSU students

Quiet, isolated, welcoming is Jesus Talk. He doesn't draw a large crowd and doesn't get in your face. He focuses on individuals and waits for them to approach him. I've never heard a student talk negatively about him. He's accommodating, friendly, and  well-respected for his approach. You talk, he listens.

The two men share a mission, but they have drastically different strategies. The Spanish and French missionaries might find this story familiar, and they should. It's amazing to think about the importance of delivery and how it can easily affect the response.

We've seen this story before. We know who is more successful. It's just hard to believe that centuries later, history is repeating itself.

Here is a great link to another blog that profiles both Jesus Talk and Brother Jed:
http://manshipdigital.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/free-speech-alley-preachers-discuss-their-methods-of-spreading-christianity/