He'll show up often in the fall, forehead veins a-bulging, then open his mouth, making Jerry Falwell look like a raging liberal hippie. Some think he gives religion a bad name. He is known for making Muslim students cry.
Gary Birdsong, the Pit Preacher, has become a bit of an institution at UNC.
Walking through the center of campus, soothed by the lulling cadences of screaming and derisive laughter, I wondered about the man behind the voice. So I called up old Mr. Birdsong to see what he had to say.
Birdsong is a family man from Halifax County. He travels to more than six states all year, doing exactly what he does at Chapel Hill and has done for more than 20 years.
We had a 45 minute conversation that was, while enlightening, in all honesty a bit spooky. He said pretty much what I had expected -- Jews, Muslims, Catholics, relaxed Christians, non-churchgoers, homosexuals, women who work or wear pants, people who attend sporting events, players in sporting events, Democrats, liberals, feminists, people who like peace, people who like the arts, the Bill of Rights, UNC administrators and faculty and essentially anyone who disagrees in any way, shape, or form with Gary Birdsong are all subject to judgment.
The most surprising part about our interview was that it was a civilized, calm discussion rather than the traditional scream/response/interruption of the Pit talks.
Here are some of the highlights.
Erin: You traditionally use a forward, abrasive preaching method. Is this the most effective strategy?
Birdsong: I get riled up because it gets people uptight, emotional. If I see repentance, I'll stop! Chapel Hill's real bad, real, real bad -- no repentance there. UNC-Chapel Hill is anti-God.