If you have been around central campus at all the past couple of weeks, you have more than likely heard the condemnations of George “Brother Jed” Smock. Howling buzz words ranging from “slut”, “whore”, and “prostitute”, Brother Jed always seems to garner a captive audience of mockers and hecklers, many of them self-proclaimed Christians, rebuking his prophecies of damnation for all. Well, I am here to tell you that those people are right: Brother Jed is not the true face of Christianity. And neither are they.
Brother Jed is perhaps the most inflammatory guest that Texas A&M receives on a semi-regular basis, and definitely the most talked about. Many wonder why he is even allowed on the campus, considering how often he singles out passersby and calls them nasty, derogatory names as if he knows more about them than the fact that they are “sinners”. He spits hatred, but claims to promote a faith base that is all about spreading love; and I think that most Christians would agree that they certainly do not want this man as a primary representative of their beliefs. However, I would argue that the same could be said for many of Brother Jed’s audience members.
"The Battalion" guest columnist Zach Leger said it best in his article, “Don’t Fuel Brother Jed’s Delusions by Heckling” when he compared Brother Jed to a child throwing a tantrum, adding that “the worst thing you can do is throw one back.” When students circle around Brother Jed and fire hateful words right back at him, they are bringing themselves down to his level of hypocrisy. Jesus and his disciples preached a message of love and acceptance. We, as Christians, are called to set examples for those among us who need one the most, for it is written in Matthew 5:38-39, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
It is sad and frustrating to see people such as Brother Jed and Sister Cindy on campus trying to force their false message of Christianity on students just trying to make their way to class. But it is even more disappointing to see fellow Aggies who gather around him and mock and spew harsh words his way in return. As many of us have witnessed, someone as set in his ways as Brother Jed will not change his message by jeers from college students. As Christians, the best way we can minimize the effects of his venomous words is by showing him love through how we live our own lives, and yelling at him to gain attention for yourself or to tear him down is by no means an effective way to achieve this example.
