Hundreds of students gathered on the Brickyard to hear the fervent and often inflammatory preaching of Ross Jackson on Thursday afternoon.
Jackson, who refers to himself as Brother Ross, elicited strong reactions from many spectators after loudly accusing college students of being sinful and at risk of spending eternity in hell after death.
Jackson cited many examples of sin common to college life, and he urged everyone gathered to repent. His list included, but was not limited to, watching football, having a girlfriend or boyfriend, listening to rap music and watching HBO. He used Bible verses, many of which he had memorized, to emphasize his points.
From 1-3 p.m., students surrounded Jackson in a circle, many shouting, laughing or asking questions to challenge his ideas. Some students felt so strongly about his message that they approached him and spoke their minds.
Diane Higley, a junior in sport management, approached Jackson to express her Disdain for his preachings.
“It’s just completely wrong how he is telling everyone they are going to hell, and how he’s called especially the female population around here derogatory names such as ‘whores’ and ‘sluts,’” Higley said.
Nigel Rush, a freshman in biotechnology, spent more than an hour in the middle of the circle confronting Jackson.
“I don’t enjoy when people preach hatred or when they show extensive amounts of hatred toward large groups, and so I wanted him to see that he was preaching hatred and acknowledge it, and that’s all.” Rush said.
Though Jackson cited the Bible and said he was preaching the word of God, many Christian students felt his messages missed their mark.
“As a Christian myself, I think this guy is giving us a really bad rep because I know what I believe, and he claims that he is teaching what I believe, and it’s entirely false. Honestly I am kind of embarrassed by him,” said Ben Taylor, a junior in biological science.
Benjamin Beaumont, a senior in physics, was present for Jackson’s sermon but said he wasn’t as angered as other students. Beaumont, instead, was compelled to ask why Jackson was acting that way.
“Even though [Jackson] is in the center here spouting out hate and preaching about the things he believes, and people here might get angry and mad, we really should focus on the fact that the one that probably needs the most help is standing in the middle of the circle,” Beaumont said.
Other students, like Anthony Salerno, a freshman in agricultural business management, had no opinion about Jackson at all.
“I’m just out here because it is funny,” Salerno said.
