Preacher tells students they could burn in hell

Liberals, democrats, homosexuals and atheists are going to hell, said Richard Roskovich. Students walking between Woodburn and Ballantine halls this week had the chance to listen to Roskovich speak about what he viewed as the various evils of society.

Roskovich, from Arlington, Texas, hoisted his acoustic guitar and held up a copy of the Bible for the duration of the event.

The crowd started out with only a dozen people around 1 p.m. Wednesday, but increased to about 50 people an hour later. Roskovich spoke for six hours Tuesday to crowds of up to 100 at times.

The animated Roskovich spoke loudly of “psycho-terror-devils” and sinners who are influencing society. Dormitories, fraternities, sororities, masturbation and gangster rap were among the many things he said condemn students to hell.

He said that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ernest Hemingway, Maya Angelou and many other national figures are likely hellbound. Roskovich then proceeded to play a song that he wrote entitled “Lake of Fire,” a proselytizing parody of Johnny Cash’s original hit “Ring of Fire.”

Intellectual challenges, sarcastic questions, jeers and profanity rang out from the students throughout the event.

“He’s making a joke of Christianity by only giving half of what the gospel preaches,” said Melissa Murphy, who said she is a practicing Christian.

Roskovich claimed to have DNA connected directly to the biblical figures Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He spoke of experiences with cocaine and marijuana in his younger years, adding that he has been clean for 30 years.

“I’ve already talked with both of my parents about this guy, and we are all ashamed to be associated with Christians like this,” Becca Adkins said.

Roskovich said he had spoken at more than 300 universities in countries around the world, including Ukraine, Serbia and Germany. He called for the starting of organizations that most IU students would not endorse, including a “Holocaust Deniers Organization” and a “Neo-Nazi” club.

“When someone condemns someone like Mother Teresa to go to hell, I don’t think he’s very credible,” sophomore Tessa Wilhelm said.