Street preachers frequently set up shop at the corner of Union Avenue and Market Street downtown. Lunchtime or Saturday mornings are especially popular because lots of folks will be passing by. This preacher was broadcasting his visions of hellfire and brimstone to office workers on their lunch breaks yesterday. I heard him mention Knoxville and Sodom and Gommorah more than once in the same sentence. It was certainly hot as hellfire and brimstone yesterday 'round here.And you know, I really don't agree with his philosophy, but I'm ok with him bellowing his message, free speech and all, as long as he doesn't follow me down the sidewalk or shove literature into my unwilling hand.
13 comments:
I feel sorry for people who do this when their enthusiasm for their religion gets the best of them. I always have felt sorry for them. There must be a reason they don't have a congregation.
Abraham Lincoln
—Brookville, Ohio
I dont really mind the corner preachers that much, I usually get a laugh. Your photo captures him well.
Abe makes a good point. You are right about it being as hot as hellfire and brimstone. Great photo today. A true American moment for sure.
I love photographs that invite the viewer to write their own caption. Being from Tennessee originally, I knew what this guy was doing as soon as I saw the thumbnail on the forum page. He sure picked a warm day for delivering his message!
Abe - I wonder if some of the mindset here is that churches are for preaching to the choir - let's get out on the street and find the ones that don't go to the churches.
Jim- yeah, this guy was fairly mild compared to some I have seen and heard.
Virginia - oh yes it was as hot as the subject being preached. I took a quick series of shots on my way to lunch - I liked this one best because of the preacher's cruciform shadow.
Snapper - ! the more things change, etc. -what part of TN? and what's your caption ?!
Yes, I have to say this is preferable to having people knocking on my door. I wonder if he knows any ancient languages.
He obviously had drawn quite a crowd!! These people annoy me, but I know they are within their rights to do it.
I have seen like minded individuals on the Boston Common. I often wonder how they can bellow for so long without their voices giving out.
Great capture!
I like how you captured that he is alone in his little world. It can be funny indeed.
These 'hellfire and brimstone' types lose entirely God's message of grace, mercy and love. Their message repels rather than attracts.
never understood the need; but to each their own.
Knoxville compared to Sodom and Gomorrah? Has the gentleman been to San Francisco?
I wonder if anyone ever stops and listens to him, whether he has any effect on anyone, ever.
I am very much a live and let live kind of girl. I may not agree with what he's offering but I defend his right and all that. What a terrifc image of an animated local.
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