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There are certain things that happen every fall that personify the start of school at the University of Iowa. Girls claiming their allegiance to an assortment of “different” sororities, student organization spam emails, the long-awaited start of Iowa football, and of course the week-long spew from Brother Jed.
George Edward Smock, better known as Brother Jed, is (according to Wikipedia),
” an American evangelist whose ministry is concentrated on college campuses. In his autobiography, he states that he has preached at most major universities in all fifty states. He usually only spends a few days on each campus hitting the northern campuses in the fall and spring and the southern campuses in the winter months. In 2004 he relocated to Columbia, Missouri where his ministry is now based. He often preaches in Speaker’s Circle at the University of Missouri, and in warmer weather can be seen preaching almost daily. Smock has written a spiritual autobiography entitled “Who Will Rise Up?” in which he describes his dissolute youth and conversion experience as well as presenting his justification for his confrontational style of evangelism. Brother Jed, in his book, recalls how he converted to Christianity being preached to by an Arab in Morocco.”
Each fall, Brother Jed tours northern universities to spread the word (what his true word is, nobody knows).
Almost instantly, he becomes the target of many descriptive terms. I sometimes think I’m watching a segment of “The View” and the hot topic of the day is Tiger Woods’ unfaithfulness.
Some students claim he is racist, egotistical, ignorant, intolerant, and downright stupid. Others claim he is funny, outrageous, absurd, facetious, and ludicrous.
The true view on Brother Jed is for you to decide, but I will say, how can he not be any number of those things? I mean, the guy has been quoted saying things such as:
“I don’t know how the whorehouses in this town stay open — all of you sorority girls are giving it away for free!”
I, for one, don’t agree with any of what “The Brother” says, but seeing his “smiling” face is truly a staple of the beginning of the fall semester on Iowa’s prestigious campus.
Every student knows who this man is, maybe not by name, but by what he does.
It never fails. Every fall, there he is on his mini stool, surrounded by a crowd of students yelling sarcastic questions like, “Hey Brother Jed, can you save a spot for me in Heaven?” and “So you mean to tell me that if I kissed my girlfriend right now, and we are not married, I might as well not live because I have a one way ticket to hell? Well, in that case, lead the way.”
Sure, he is somewhat of a modern day maniac, and sure, his views are absurd to most of the students here on campus. But I will say that every student needs to sit and listen to this man for awhile.
If not for the humor, just for Brother Jed’s outlandish take on life and the instant comebacks that rival those of Chris Rock.
(Disclaimer: Again, I do not agree with anything that he says. The only reason I write about him in the first place is because of his ability to cause a reaction among students, and the wit he backs his arguments with [even if said arguments are the most senile and ridiculous]).
As always, On Iowa, and Go Hawks!
-Jerry