The Atheist and Agnostic Society spoke out silently on Wednesday against Tom Short, a pastor with Tom Short Campus Ministries, who spoke in front of Parks Library.
Although members of campus usually engage in debate with Short, Iowa State’s Atheist and Agnostic Society organized a silent protest.
In an e-mail sent to members of the society, the goal of the protest was “not to argue, debate or discuss with Tom or anyone else (although, of course people are welcome to do as they wish). The goal is to show people there is an alternative to intolerance, and alternative to hatred.”
Members of the group sat around Short while he talked in front of the Hub, holding signs advocating acceptance of different viewpoints, among other things.
Brian Gress, junior in psychology, said the protest was a change of pace for the group.
“Usually we try and speak with him, but that doesn’t seem to accomplish much,” he said.
Short has spent many years traveling across the country speaking on campuses, but Laurence Woodruff, research associate in biochemistry and biophysics and molecular biology – liberal arts and sciences, said Short hasn’t changed over the years.
“This is an old show — the same stuff being said by the same guy,” Woodruff said. “I’ve been around Iowa State since 1999, and he’s been here since then, at least.”
Ruth Anderson, junior in animal ecology, said she understands what Short is trying to do, and agrees with his viewpoint.
“He’s gotten the attention of a lot of different people, and he has them asking questions,” she said. “He’s just trying to spread his message.”
Woodruff called the scene “a testament to freedom of speech.”
“I disagree with about 99 percent of what he says, but he’s entitled to sharing his opinion,” Woodruff said.
Although Short tries to spread a religious message, other pastors said he may be going about it the wrong way.
Jim Shirbroun, pastor at the Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation, said Short’s combative approach to non-Christian viewpoints is ultimately doing more harm than good.
“I’ve heard a lot about him, but today is the first time I’ve heard him speak. He definitely comes at theology from a very different angle than I do,” he said. “I think he’s really just turning people off of Christianity.”
Short is known for his speeches on campus, and Woodruff said this was not the first time students protested against him.
“About five years ago, some students came up with Tom Short bingo cards. Each card had a mix of the same words, phrases and ideas that he uses,” he said. “When Tom showed up that year, they distributed the cards, played bingo, and gave candy to the winners.”
