Gary Birdsong

File:Incognito gary.jpg

Birdsong preaching at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Template:Long NPOV The Reverend Gary Birdsong is a travelling Evangelical Christian who frequents college campuses across the US, particularly in North Carolina. He is known for his unorthodox interpretation of the Bible and his theatrical, accusatory style of preaching. He will often argue vehemently with other, more moderate Christians, who often accuse him of misrepresenting the Christian faith and driving people away from it with his extremism. Rev. Birdsong, known to his audience as "The Pit Preacher", "The Pit Creature" (at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), "The Brickyard Preacher" or "The Brickyard Entertainment" (at North Carolina State University), "Preacher Gary" (at UNC Charlotte), or simply "Gary", has a large repertoire of subjects on which he preaches, ranging from the standards of Heaven and Hell, to drug use, premarital sex, homosexuality, Islam, Atheism, Feminism, Communism, masturbation, rock and rap music, abortion, evolution, tolerance, politics, war, fashion, witchcraft, and demonic possession. In the course of his sermons, he will often accuse members of his audience (particularly those who disagree with him) of being sinners, African Americans, homosexuals (which are "caused by marijuana"), fornicators, masturbators, drug users ("smoking the MARY-Juanaaa!"), "lesbos" or "wicked, wicked women!" or state that they are "going to Hellfire!"

Biography

Rev. Birdsong's background is unclear; information about him comes almost entirely from his own tales of himself. He claims to have at one time been a welder, a member of Hells Angels, and a smoker of marijuana before he met Jesus and converted to Christianity sometime in the late 1970's. These claims of his involvement with the Hells Angels also entail him making many journeys across country on his motorcycle transporting rather large quantities of drugs, allegedly in the hundreds of pounds. He also claims to have had a wife, who later left him for reasons unclear. Due to his misogynistic claims and his insistence that women be subservient to men, some have asked him if he beat his wife. This occasionally results in one of his more famous shticks, in which he claims that he "didn't hit her," he "just gave her a love tap," at which point he mimes smacking a woman's rear and mutters "Get back in the kitchen!" For more information on his alleged wife read under "Theories" below. How he makes money for a living, and the extent of his theological training, if any, are both unclear. He prefers warmer weather, earning himself the appellation of the "Fair Weather Preacher" by some. Gary claims to hail from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, but some news media have reported him as a resident of Knightdale, North Carolina.

Controversial Interpretations

Rev. Birdsong is perhaps most famous for his unorthodox interpretation of Christian theology. He claims, for instance, that he does not sin, and that true Christians do not. "Do you love God? If you love God, why do you sin?" he will often ask onlookers. When asked about the Biblical quotation, "judge not lest ye be judged," he says that Jesus was speaking at the time to a hypocrite, therefore the statement does not apply to him.

Students' Reactions

Rev. Birdsong often will draw a crowd as he preaches; his extremist views and confrontational style draw onlookers from all ideological backgrounds to argue with him. Atheists, feminists, gay rights advocates, and other groups he attacks will be joined by conservative Christians in the "debates" against him. Veteran "Gary Watchers" usually sit and observe quietly, or heckle him with miscellaneous unhelpful remarks.

At times, students take more unusual stances; it is common for same sex couples to kiss, or for students to openly read pornography, during his sermons. Once, while preaching on the immodest dress of young women, he spotted a girl walking by in what he considered acceptable clothing for a female. He called attention to this, and in response the young lady (Katherine Summer O'Neal, BA UNC-CH 2000), removed her clothes and walked on. Perhaps the most exceptional reaction to a sermon by Rev. Birdsong occurred in the late summer of 2002 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A group of several large men picked up the Reverend against his will and carried him to the lake near the main campus entrance; they then tossed him into the water to the cheers of onlookers. After Preacher Gary extricated himself from the algae-filled lake he returned to the centrally located Belk Tower and resumed preaching.

Additionally, according to one of his recent sermons, the Reverend referred to all women as "manipulators, liars, and witches who need to learn to submit [to male authority]."

Theories

As well as taking him on face value, several theories have been formulated about Rev. Birdsong:

• Birdsong admitted to hitting his wife because "there is nothing he hates more than a nagging woman."
• Birdsong is hired by the schools at which he preaches, to stir up controversy and incite discussion.
• Birdsong is actually satirizing evangelical Christianity, perhaps with the intention of turning people away from it.
• Birdsong doesn't really believe what he says, but, through his appearances, hopes to get students talking about religion and Christianity. When he uses outlandish quotes from the Bible to support seemingly absurd claims, he is attempting to get people to pick up the Bible and read it for themselves.
• Birdsong is literally insane, and/or craves attention.
• Rumors have circulated among students that he did have a wife who left him but this has not been confirmed. He has, however, mentioned being divorced since the 70's.
• Birdsong has a son who he disowned for being homosexual.
• Birdsong sucks and should be offed

See Also

• List of Campus Preachers

External links

• Campus staple preaches His word, by Ashley Smith. Technician Online (the student newspaper of North Carolina State University), November 10, 2004.
• Photographs of Gary at ibiblio.org
• Photographs of Gary at NCSU, by Stephanie Bottitta, North Carolina State University, October 14, 2005.