Comments on: Brother Jed: A Long Interview with the Smock Family http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/ University of Arizona News Commentator Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:37:22 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Aries Ashkuff http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-524 Aries Ashkuff Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:17:12 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-524 Hey, Jon Believe it or not, I understand your hate. But try to bear in mind that, regardless of whether-or-not he's correct in his belief, Smock HONESTLY SEEMS TO BELIEVE that he's trying to save our souls from Hell. In his culture, it would actually be an insult if he didn't preach at us the way he does; it would mean he doesn't care. And yes, I understand that his name-calling and sometimes psychologically "abusive" approach can inspire hate amongst people like you and I... and I understand that it seems terribly ineffective... but remember, the way our own culture is wired, the only four ways to assuredly get attention is with (1) free money giveaways, (2) sex appeal, (3) violence, or (4) offensive language. Since he probably doesn't have much money to giveaway, his own culture prohibits him from using sex appeal, and violence is illegal... his only option is offensive language. Which, typically, makes us hate him. Even though he thinks he's caring for us. Just sayin'. Hey, Jon

Believe it or not, I understand your hate.

But try to bear in mind that, regardless of whether-or-not he’s correct in his belief, Smock HONESTLY SEEMS TO BELIEVE that he’s trying to save our souls from Hell. In his culture, it would actually be an insult if he didn’t preach at us the way he does; it would mean he doesn’t care.

And yes, I understand that his name-calling and sometimes psychologically “abusive” approach can inspire hate amongst people like you and I… and I understand that it seems terribly ineffective… but remember, the way our own culture is wired, the only four ways to assuredly get attention is with (1) free money giveaways, (2) sex appeal, (3) violence, or (4) offensive language.

Since he probably doesn’t have much money to giveaway, his own culture prohibits him from using sex appeal, and violence is illegal… his only option is offensive language.

Which, typically, makes us hate him.
Even though he thinks he’s caring for us.

Just sayin’.

]]> By: Laura Donovan http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-523 Laura Donovan Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:47:06 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-523 Have you ever met Jed Smock? How do you know he's hateful? What's wrong with showing different facets to a person? He can't be all bad, just like you cannot possibly be all good. Have you ever met Jed Smock? How do you know he’s hateful? What’s wrong with showing different facets to a person? He can’t be all bad, just like you cannot possibly be all good.

]]> By: Jon http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-522 Jon Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:44:12 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-522 Why anyone would set out to legitimize a hateful character (I don't care what this interview says, frankly..I care how people act in public, it shows their true self) like this is beyond me. Why anyone would set out to legitimize a hateful character (I don’t care what this interview says, frankly..I care how people act in public, it shows their true self) like this is beyond me.

]]> By: Aries Ashkuff http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-303 Aries Ashkuff Thu, 07 May 2009 19:36:16 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-303 Hey, I'm a cultural anthropologist at the University of Florida, and I've been making a study of the evangelical street preachers that come through our campus for about 18 months now. I've visited your site more-than-a-few times and thought you might be interested in some of the films I've made about them... http://www.evangelicalyeti.akaariesashkuff.com and http://www.belltowerseries.com (you wanna check out the earlier chapters) ...I'm serious, after reading some of your work, I'd like to hear your thoughts on mine. Also, do you know if Brother Jed comes through UF at all? I've heard a lot of talk about him, but I've never seen him in person. Hey, I’m a cultural anthropologist at the University of Florida, and I’ve been making a study of the evangelical street preachers that come through our campus for about 18 months now.

I’ve visited your site more-than-a-few times and thought you might be interested in some of the films I’ve made about them…
http://www.evangelicalyeti.akaariesashkuff.com
and
http://www.belltowerseries.com (you wanna check out the earlier chapters)
…I’m serious, after reading some of your work, I’d like to hear your thoughts on mine.

Also, do you know if Brother Jed comes through UF at all? I’ve heard a lot of talk about him, but I’ve never seen him in person.

]]> By: New Campus Preacher Draws a Smaller Crowd « Laura Donovan’s Blog http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-153 New Campus Preacher Draws a Smaller Crowd « Laura Donovan’s Blog Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:45:55 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-153 [...] Laura Donovan on April 2nd, 2009 Brother Jed Smock only spoke at the University of Arizona for a week, but the campus already feels quieter now that he has left for Flagstaff to lecture at Northern [...] [...] Laura Donovan on April 2nd, 2009 Brother Jed Smock only spoke at the University of Arizona for a week, but the campus already feels quieter now that he has left for Flagstaff to lecture at Northern [...]

]]> By: Brother Jed’s Last Day at the University of Arizona « Laura Donovan’s Blog http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-151 Brother Jed’s Last Day at the University of Arizona « Laura Donovan’s Blog Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:11:03 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-151 [...] The audience didn’t protest Jed, but one UA student approached his daughters, Martha and Priscilla, who I had a long chat with yesterday. [...] [...] The audience didn’t protest Jed, but one UA student approached his daughters, Martha and Priscilla, who I had a long chat with yesterday. [...]

]]> By: The Arizona Desert Lamp http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-148 The Arizona Desert Lamp Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:54:47 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-148 [...] columnist Laura Donovan goes where  student journalists have dared not tread since 1997:  an honest interview with itinerant evangelical Jed Smock, whose springtime rants on Heritage Hill draw a both an [...] [...] columnist Laura Donovan goes where  student journalists have dared not tread since 1997:  an honest interview with itinerant evangelical Jed Smock, whose springtime rants on Heritage Hill draw a both an [...]

]]> By: Laura Donovan http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-146 Laura Donovan Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:22:59 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-146 Thank you, Jimi!! You should talk to him, too. It's a whole different experience to sit down and chat with them. Most people have no idea. The family still believes all the same stuff they preach, but now we know they don't run around the house yelling about religion. They try to lead relatively normal lives. Thank you, Jimi!! You should talk to him, too. It’s a whole different experience to sit down and chat with them. Most people have no idea. The family still believes all the same stuff they preach, but now we know they don’t run around the house yelling about religion. They try to lead relatively normal lives.

]]> By: Jimi Alexander http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/2009/03/31/brother-jed-a-long-interview-with-the-smock-family/#comment-145 Jimi Alexander Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:19:10 +0000 http://lauradonovan.wordpress.com/?p=341#comment-145 Wow! I think it's amazing that you got to sit down and have a good, solid discussion with Brother Jed and Co. I think I'll take back what I said about him being nuts in light of this interview. Way to go, Laura! Wow! I think it’s amazing that you got to sit down and have a good, solid discussion with Brother Jed and Co. I think I’ll take back what I said about him being nuts in light of this interview. Way to go, Laura!

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