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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: June 21, 2007 Preaching on the street By Oriana Turley Tidings Correspondent Oriana Turley | For the Tidings Lee Stevens reads aloud from the Bible on the Plaza earlier this week. For the past three weeks, six days a week, Lee Stevens has gotten up and made his way to the Ashland downtown Plaza by 11 a.m. to preach the word of the Lord. "I am just trying to magnify Jesus Christ," he said. "It's not about me it's all about him and his message." But Stevens is not a Christian. "I believe in Jesus Christ," said Stevens, who goes to the plaza Monday through Saturday. "It keeps it real simple. No one's going to get me to be a Christian." To Stevens, Christian America has got it all wrong. They are not manifesting the words of the Bible. "How can you get the idea to hurt people for Jesus?" he asked. "Keep the law America. You are supposed to be strong. Though shalt not kill. Keep the law America." Stevens grew up on a ranch in South Dakota without participating in organized religion, but he found the Bible when he was 30 years old through a Hawaiian man, whose approach to Jesus Christ attracted Stevens to faith because it was a direct connection. There was no religion to get in the way of the words, Stevens said, only the message. "God changed my life completely," he said. "I went from whatever I was doing before to reading the Bible and preaching on the street." He thumbed through his tattered blue Bible on a sunny Wednesday morning dressed in a button-up Hawaiian-style shirt and backward hat that read "Hawaii." His theme today is "wake up Christian America," a mixture of anti-war sentiment and reprimands on issues ranging from using weapons to stealing Hawaii from its people. "It's stolen property America. Give it back," he said. "A thief is a shame when he is found in Christian America. So is Christian America a shame." The weapons of American warfare, he said, are carnal — put them down. "All those who take the sword will perish by the sword, Christian America," he said. "Wisdom is better than weapons of war." Stevens began traveling to preach in March 2001 after spending 23 years in Hawaii. He has come through Ashland a few times before and spent a couple of months here last year. He preaches every day, except Sundays when he spends the day reading in nice spots he has found in the Southern Oregon University library. Stevens chooses to preach around noon because it is the traditional time to preach. "Randomness or God" takes him places to preach. He is not attached to any organization and spreads the word of Christ out of his own love for it. "I don't expect people to change because I am out here preaching," he said. "But I would like to get the word out there." Only one woman, last week, complained to the Chamber of Commerce, and no one has complained to the police about Stevens. Workers downtown have heard a few customers grumbling under their breath about the man on the Plaza, but no one has acted really upset, said Kayla Villegas, who works at The Ashland Outdoor Store. Mary Davy, the owner of Rare Earth, said Stevens' preaching is a nice contrast to some of the other distracting stuff that happens downtown. "I think it's fine. He is a gentleman who is spreading the word in a way that represents his faith," she said. Steve Hansen, the case manager for Interfaith Care Community of Ashland, has helped Stevens get some work around town and supports the unique preaching style of Stevens. "This is just what he does. It's his thing," Hansen said. "He spreads the word in his own way, he's a good guy." Current Comments: are we really givining this nut the front page story? come on, ashland tidings there has to be a better story than this. heather - ashland - June 21st, 1:12 PM "spreading the word in a way that represents his faith" give me a break. The only thing he spreads is a great swath of fear and avoidance within the plaza. It's just a power trip he's on and hasn't changed anyone's mind about Jesus. If he were really serious about changing minds he would write a book, a blog, or any number of peaceful ways to influence people. BTW, has anyone seen any of ashland's visitors stop in at the plaza lately (Not talking about the freaky penniless trash!)? concerned - ashland, or - June 21st, 1:36 PM This article and the comments show what's a problem here in Ashland: Lee has something to say, but how many listen enough to get to know where he's coming from? Thank you, Oriana and the Tidings, for giving us the opportunity to understand Lee better. It's unfortunate that "concerned" won't let his/her stereotyping be pierced... Antipreophogic New World Order - Ashland, Oregon - June 21st, 3:10 PM A power trip of vain ramblings on the street corner. Yup... no one is listening, and Lee doesn't care. I AVOID the Plaza when this guy is blasting his abhorrent nonsense. If he were serious about changing minds he'd be a better example of someone who participates in society and an example to others, rather than someone others see as just another selfish freak on the Plaza. phil Wilson - ashland, OR - June 21st, 3:16 PM Anti. NWO - funny, after listening to 30 seconds of Lee's blasting, from a block away, I know quite well what he has to say "Listen to ME! Listen to Me! I don't give a DAMN about your solitude or peace. LISTEN TO ME!! ME!!" -- yup, what is unfortunate is that people like this, those who don't give a damn about their neighbors, get credibility through the Tiding. Look, if you want to "understand Lee better", YOU take him aside and get him to do more than shout at you... if he's capable or willing Phil Wilson - ashland, OR - June 21st, 3:26 PM Interesting that in liberal Ashland we are quick to defend the rights of the women in black, councilors running naked and general disruptive panhandlers, but if you mix some religion in...well the progressives simply show their intolerance, bias, and willingness to suppress the free speech. The raving, progressive liberals are usually the most bigoted people I know. That needs to be exposed. Its not that I like this guy disrupting the peace, but it certainly exposes the intolerant left. Practical - Ashland, Oregon - June 21st, 3:39 PM Lee certainly is capable and willing: see the above article. I doubt he communicated to Oriana by shouting. And it's a profound message: "I believe in Jesus Christ... No one's going to get me to be a Christian." That's something to shake up more than a few people. He walks his talk, too. He not only talks about ending warfare, he lives a simple life that doesn't require warfare. Funny how he might still be thought of as a "selfish freak"... Antipreophogic New World Order - Ashland, Oregon - June 21st, 3:50 PM Practical is practically stupid about the response. It has NOTHING to do with religion. It has to do with an obnoxious individual shouting and scaring away the tourists from the plaza. Ashland's main industry is tourism, remember?? Since you, practical, support Lee so much, you wouldn't mind if he gave a guest homily at your service next weekend? IT'S NOT THE TOPIC THAT'S THE PROBLEM; IT'S THE METHOD IN WHICH THE TOPIC IS DELIVERED! If Lee weren't yelling about JC you'd be objecting too. RuMo - Ashland, OR - June 21st, 5:38 PM Let the man yell, it's his right. If tourists don't like it they can go to boring Jacksonville. Diversity and eccentricity are Ashland hallmarks, that's why I live here. paulg - ashland oregon - June 22nd, 4:04 AM Hey RuMo..you seem to have a some problems with reading comprehension. Re-read the last sentence. "I don't like the guy disrupting the peace". My point is that this guy belongs in the same category as the ones that many of the libs are so quick to defend...like naked councilors. PC's are intolerant of religious types because it makes them uncomfortable. I am for cleaning up this entire mess on the Plaza...got it. Practical - Ashland, Oregon - June 22nd, 5:37 AM He may appear to be preaching to others but he's talking to himself. I watch street preachers in front of the University of Texas and they hardly notice the students passing by. This is the human condition; you have some of this in you too. We all do. Thomas Van Orden Austin, Texas Thomas Van Orden ( [email protected] ) - Austin, Texas - June 22nd, 6:17 AM "If Lee weren't yelling about JC you'd be objecting too." BINGO!! That's exactly the way hypocrites are. phil Wilson - ashland, OR - June 22nd, 6:43 AM If some people in Ashland want a Hyde Park -- where anyone can SHOUT whatever they please -- then set aside someplace NOT already being used for commerce and a pleasant area for tourists (maybe even start attracting locals!?). How about the Dog Park (seriously). Otherwise, cite these people for disturbing the peace. Lester - Ashland OR - June 22nd, 8:17 AM Okay, some seem to object to the individual, others to the content, others to the method, and yet others to the location. Bottomline-Is the Plaza an appropriate place for Free Speech? Would it be better for him to go into Lithia Park? In front of Chateaulin? Ashland Springs Hotel? Some other business? Into a residential area? IMO-the location is perhaps the most appropriate for a citizen to exercise their right to free speech. Dane Coefer - Ashland, Oregon - June 22nd, 8:49 AM I hope our police can find a reason to throw his annoying butt in jail, taking the rest of the oxygen wasting transient population with him. For those who gripe Ashland is becoming another Aspen or Carmel, all I can say is the sooner the better. Dave - Ashland, OR - June 22nd, 9:40 AM This is so funny. If it was somebody shouting about "Gay rights" or "Abortion rights" all of Ashland would be there supporting him. But because it's a topic you all are against you want him kicked out of town. This just goes to show how "closed minded" the liberal left really is. matt - Medford, OR - June 22nd, 10:47 AM Freedom of Speech is what he is using and it is , and shall remain, protected. He is not disturbing the peace anymore than the occasional music performers on the Plaza. Given he's there during normal business hours he is not keeping people up, or infringing on anyones private enjoyment. Public spaces are for all, even those shouting things I dont care to here. So Practical, your wrong in labeling progressives based on your own intolerance. I dont share your disdain for any of those you list. liberal left - Ashland "Progressive' - June 23rd, 6:40 PM "You have the freedom to say anything you want.....as long as you agree with me!" Reality Check - Ashland, OR - June 24th, 11:08 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us