After eight students showed up to sarcastically worship Clarence "Bro" Cope late Friday afternoon outside of the Willard Building, the preacher responded by warning them he was armed.

Nat Jackson (senior-anthropology), president of Penn State's Atheist and Agnostic Association, led the group of "worshippers" and engaged in a verbal dispute with Cope, at one point calling Cope "insane."

Cope, who returned as the Willard Preacher after a 23-year hiatus, responded by telling Jackson to stand back because he was armed.

"If I am insane, you ought to seriously be concerned that I don't pull out my knife and slit your throat," Cope said.

The exchange was recorded in a video a student submitted to The Daily Collegian.

Three Penn State Police officers responded to a telephone call from an unknown person at the scene who said the word "knife" had been mentioned.

"[It was] said in the context of the debate," Penn State Police Sgt. Brian Bittner said.

Cope said police took his penknife, adding he had no other weapons. Charges were not filed in connection with the statement.

Bittner said police would file an administrative report, which Penn State Police Sgt. Don Hazel said is filed when an incident does not fall under the Pennsylvania crimes code or violate Penn State rules and regulations.

"We want to get it on record in case something would escalate," Hazel said.

According to the university's weapons and fireworks policy, a prohibited weapon includes any instrument "capable of inflicting serious bodily injury," including "any knife with a blade larger than that of a folding pocket knife."

Cope's comment came after the students surrounded the preacher, imitating his standard attire of a dress shirt and suspenders, and began bowing down on their knees.

"A month or two ago, he said he'd physically harm anyone who worshipped him," Dan Farbowitz (senior-physics, mathematics and philosophy) said. The students came to call him out on his promise.

Cope was unrepentant for his statements.

"Nat was trying to interfere with my preaching," Cope said. "I don't feel bad about it at all. One of the purposes is to bring the controversy. I force Christians to confront the secrets of their own hearts."

Jackson said he will not press charges.

"I was never feeling that there was a physical threat nor did he ever directly say that he would physically attack me," Jackson said.

Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers viewed the video and said while police have left the investigation open, "there was no measurable threat that would meet the standards for any charges or any thorough investigation."

"I believe it was suggested to Mr. Cope that he use better judgement in his statements," she said.

Gary Cattell, the new Willard Preacher, watched as the incident unfolded. He said Cope was trying to prove Jackson didn't really think he was insane or else he wouldn't have been standing so close to him.

"I would say it was over the line and an over-the-top way of making a point," he said.

Pedro Williams (freshman-chemical engineering and French), watching from the steps of the building, said the students mocking Cope "were asking for it."

"I thought they were disrespectful," he said. "Bro's just trying to preach, and they're kneeling and being sarcastic."

Williams said he listens to Cope preach outside the Willard Building every day, and he "definitely" agrees with what Cope says.

"The thing with Bro is he jokes around, but they take it out of context," Williams said. "Is he too radical? He preaches the truth, and, you know, it's a different method, but I'm fine with it because I know the truth."

Onlooker Jesse Dominick, Class of 2006, said he agrees with some of what Cope says but thinks he can be radical in his preaching.

"He makes personal attacks," he said. "How is that displaying Christianity to anybody?"

Chris Ray (junior-information sciences and technology) said he argues with both Cope and Cattell, but has more respect for Cattell.

"I have a great deal of respect for Gary, even though I don't agree with him," Ray said. "Bro? Not so much, with the name calling and making threats. ... The threats are empty, but they're there nonetheless."