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For the second time this semester, a Christian extremist has confronted students in the quad, drawing attention from campus police on Tuesday.First time visitor to PCC Jeremy Sonier bore a barbershop-style sign over his shoulders condemning homosexuals, thieves, baby-killing women, and Roman Catholics, among others.

At about 11:20 a.m., Sonier arrived equipped with a worn pocket Bible and whistle stood on a stool he brought, in which he carried his pamphlets and brochures.

Sonier, in answering a student’s question, said he was raised Roman Catholic.

PCC student Mitch Zeider told him that by condemning Roman Catholics, Sonier is condemning his parents, thus breaking one of the Ten Commandments. Sonier responded by nodding and then cited a passage from the New Testament.

Jinny Lili, president of Koinonia Christian club, said she believed that Sonier was not wrong in his preaching methods, which included blowing a whistle when a person made a comment opposing his message.

“Sometimes the truth can be offensive,” said Lili with her bible in hand.

For almost two hours Adam Kratt, Associated Students vice president of public relations and a religious studies major, debated with Sonier.

Students were shouting conflicting arguments and questions as Sonier preached over their thronging voices. When the shouting from the students grew too loud, Sonier subdued the crowd by blowing a whistle in a manner reminiscent of a referee.

If Sonier had instigated any physical responses , said Lt. Brad Young of the PCC police, the security that is usually heightened during the busy lunch hour at the quad could have handled the situation.

Earlier this semester another religious activist, Paul Mitchell, came onto campus to preach a similar message up.

When Mitchell began his preaching on Sept. 26 a petition referring to the Time Place and Manner policy was passed around.

The petition could help to deflate the negative energy but Lt. Young suggested that these cases should not be approached as problematic events.

A difference in the methods of Mitchell and Sonier was that Sonier supported an open forum of dialog between himself and the audience. Michael Sansosti, A.S. President, said that his problem with Mitchell’s demonstration was that a girl had cried and Mitchell did not respond to the questions brought up by the crowd.

Asked about Mitchell wanting to sue the school for monetary gain, Sonier responded: “Paul is a good friend of mine. I know for a fact he didn’t say that!”

Sonier said he has been touring campuses and there is a good chance he will come back to PCC.

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