Here at University Park, we students and faculty are surrounded by both memorable and recognizable landmarks which, to name a few, are Old Main, the Lion Shrine, Beaver Stadium -- and -- the Willard preacher?

The Willard preacher (Gary Cattell) is in attendance almost every day, rain or shrine, preaching the word of God outside the Willard building.

Many students may choose to ignore the sermon that is presented to them every day, while
others enjoy the constant banter of the radical Christian. Some however, cannot escape the daily lecturing.

On any given day you can hear the regurgitation of scriptures, the importance of abstinence, or my personal favorite -- his fetish for having intercourse with sheep. What about his fetish with sheep you ask?

Well, according to our friend the Willard preacher, in today's society men can sleep with other men and women can sleep with other women, why then prevent him from shacking up with a sheep? Most likely that will be deemed acceptable in the near future as well.

Abnormal to my typical Tuesday routine, I sat and listened knowing each day he covers a different topic. What I overheard the other day was stifling.

Though I agree with the Willard preacher on the fact that the American dream is to make money and that we view success in monetary terms, he also felt that our generation does not care if we lose our souls. Adding to my irritation, he stated that our educational system is geared toward making money and that we no longer had a source of "higher education."

Penn State now offers 19 religious studies courses, as well as a number of other courses that cover the spiritual beliefs that existed in Africa, Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia.

A few weeks ago, we students were graced by the presence of a family that was radically protesting for the love of God, and to attempt to save us students, by making us realize we must devote our lives to God, and beg for our salvation. While they attempted to sway
our "naïve" minds, they also informed us that Jewish people as well as "faggots" were going to hell.

When reported to the Penn State University Police, the response was that the police did not hear the comments, so the visitors could continue to disturb our otherwise peaceful campus. While most students may have continued walking, not giving the situation a second thought, others walked away feeling alienated and upset.

As some of you might know, within the massive main doors of the Carnegie Building, reside the First Amendment, displayed proudly on the interior wall. Even more importantly, the area surrounding the Willard Building is designated a free speech area allowing those who wish to congregate peacefully, to do so.

What I want to know is, when people are being bashed for the spiritual preference, sexual orientation, and alternative lifestyles, is that still a peaceful congregation? I assume that 'peaceful' does not consist of purely non-physical acts; therefore, police should not physically restrain picketers and protesters.

But this does occur, so why then is this situation not being watched over by the university? Does the university realize that both the preacher and visiting groups make such offensive statements? The way I view the situation is that the university, by allowing a free speech area, has a certain responsibility to students by standing guard to that area, and say, not allowing radical Christians to gay bash or our friend the Willard preacher to offend students of other religions, particular of the Jewish faith.

I personally don't mind having my personal beliefs challenged by a man I deem to be slightly ignorant and out of touch with the current goings-on of the 21st century, but to others he can be, to say the least, offensive.

Though some of the statements can be irritating, instigating and skewed, what bothers me even more is the principle behind it. The question I pose is that if the Willard preacher were not preaching Christianity, if he were spreading the word of any other religion, would he still be preaching on a daily basis?

Perhaps, but I have an innate feeling that it would not be without a few bruises, cuts or broken bones. Students don't care if somebody offends their colleagues that are in the minority.

But if it were someone of an alternative belief, in which the majority would be offended or insulted by having something other than their beliefs lectured to them, it would be more of a "to do" than ever.