Preacher or protester? Tatter brings religious message to Flagler students
A young man in a black shirt with red and orange flames held a sign in his hand as he yelled at a crowd of Flagler College students, “You are all sinners!”
In December 2011 during fall finals, Zachary Tatter, 23, stood outside the Proctor Library and preached to students. This month, Tatter and his followers have continued to return to the sidewalks of Flagler College’s campus and around downtown St. Augustine to preach their Christian beliefs.
“I think the lord has put it on us that there are many people here [at Flagler College] who may have broken hearts and need them healed,” Tatter said. “I know alcohol can smother your problems, love in a man or a woman can temporarily halt it, but the true essence of what you’re going through cannot be taken away unless you put it in Christ.”
Many Flagler College students were upset by what Tatter had to say. Some yelled, some laughed, some sat and watched as they discussed how angry they were about all the noise while they were trying to study.
Zachary Tatter mugshot, courtesy of St. Johns County Sheriff's Office
“What looks disruptive to some, may be a blessing to others and that even at the end of what people may have called disruptive, there was a huge blessing that came out of it and people really got introduced to love,” Tatter said.
Although Flagler College is a private campus, many of the sidewalks through it are public property and therefore, Tatter is allowed to keep preaching.
“Anywhere we’re allowed to be, we will be,” he said. “Generally anywhere in the world, you can go plant up a sign and preach the gospel because there is someone there with a broken heart that needs to be set free and Christ said I will heal the broken hearted so come to me. If they won’t come, we’ll come to them …”
Tatter also preaches outside popular bars in downtown St. Augustine such as No Name Bar, said Flagler College junior Joey Ryan.
“As a catholic, I agree with them that spreading the word of God is very important. But that’s not what they’re doing,” Ryan said. “They are demeaning other people, some of which are good Christian people who go to mass every week, and they scream at them that they’re going to hell. That’s wrong no matter who you are.”
For Tatter, spreading the word of his savior creates both positive and negative reactions. “As for negative responses and how people take what we are doing … if your deeds are evil and you walk in darkness you will not like the light and you will not accept the message of peace, love, joy, gentleness, anything,” he said. “But as long as you are living in a way that contrary to these things of light, such as love, you will hate what we say and there is nothing I can do about that accept keep preaching love.”
Flagler College alumnus and devout Christian Steve Meehan disagrees with Tatter’s method of preaching. “As a Christian, whose faith means a lot, and is affected by the Bible, it is a shame to see others interpreting the Bible as a call to speak hateful words,” Meehan said.
“John 3:16 says, ‘God so loved the world, he sent his only son, that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.’ And as a very well known verse to many Christians and to some non-Christians, it speaks of God’s unconditional love for his children, everyone on this Earth. Unconditional is without condition … So all the hateful, angry, offensive and hurtful words I have heard these protestors say, I do not agree with and think it’s doing the opposite of what we are called to do; in loving one another.”
Followers of Tatter outside the Crisp Ellert Museum on Jan. 17th, photo by Margaret Wallis
On Jan. 17th, Tatter had a different approach to preaching as he silently stood outside the Crisp-Ellert Museum with two men and a woman. Dressed in conservative clothing, they held signs with Biblical messages, handed out free bibles and played Christian music from a stereo. Flagler College students continued to either walk by the religious protesters or stop to pick up a bible.
His followers, who declined to comment, drove by Tatter and his friend as they were preaching when they decided to stop and join.
“Mainly how we come together is just the common faith of goodness and goodwill for all men through Jesus Christ and just the brotherhood and love,” Tatter said. “Love is what brought us together. Love of our lord and love of every human being out here.”
Tatter admits he wasn’t always a believer and that he used to participate in the same “dark deeds” that he preaches to others to take out of their lives.
In fact, his record in the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office shows six previous arrests with multiple charges from May 2007 to Jan. 2011, including larceny, burglary of a conveyance, burglary tool possession, resisting an officer, driving under the influence, drug possession and contempt of court.
“I was kind of a poser, kind of like many people trying to live another way, until I found out who God was, what he came to do and that he is actually real and just by believing in that he turned me from my wicked ways such as … I don’t really want to get into it. We don’t have that kind of time, but I was a different person once and I had a broken heart,” Tatter said.
Tatter said he had never read the bible until someone came to him and told him he should believe in Jesus Christ. “Just like that my whole life changed. I had a purpose for my life and I came to see that I was made in his image for his lightness, for his glory, and for his love and to spread that love to the whole world.”
No matter the approach to his preaching, Tatter said the message he is trying to send really boils down to this: “Just love. To turn from the ways that we all know aren’t right and turn to righteousness and love and peace and Jesus Christ.”
Video of religious protests at Flagler College:
St. Augustine, FL
This is Jesse, Zach’s friend in the video..Wow, it’s amazing how college kids twist and try to spit on the word of God. You guys need to repent and give your whole heart to the LORD Jesus Christ. The heart that does not reject all sin does not reject sin at all..
We are lucky enough to live in a country where we are permitted to speak our minds. Unfortunately, not everyone with an opinion is 100% informed and not everyone with an opinion understands that there is a time and place for the expression of it. But I do think that if nothing else, at least this guy screaming hateful “Scripture-based” rants, helped you all re-affirm what you believe. I am not really a Christian, but I really agreed with what many of the other Christian commenters had to say, especially “wow”. You all seem like you have a good hold on the things that Jesus would probably have wanted you to know and still be discussing thousands of years later. At least this Tatter guy sparked an affirmation of your most deeply-seated beliefs, so in a way he kind of is helping people find God. And for anyone else, at least he reminded you that the last thing you want to do with your life is go around judging others and spreading hate and negativity. At least you don’t have to wake up in the morning with all that hate built up in your heart. He has to live with himself…
What a sissy! Crying over nothin let people live their lives in peace without all your dang hate! Keep it to yourself
Just so you know.. Make me want to cry. Truthfully.
I saw you. I looked into your eyes. You looked into mine. And what I saw scared me. I did not see anything (or hear anything, for that matter)that resembled the love you profess. Saw no fruits of the Spirit. I saw anger and bitterness, guilt and regret.
Another thing: just becasue you can read the Bible and memorize passages does not mean you understand what you read. Honestly, you don’t know enough about the text to talk intelligently about what it says and doesn’t say. Just becasue you’re semi-literate doesn’t make you a theolgian.
Give up the preaching and go work in a homeless shelter. That would be more beneficial to God’s kingdom than using hate-filled rhetoric to demonstrate how much you love people.
Interesting that Tatter criticizes leaving out “the important part” of scripture when his sign in the picture ignores the fact that the word “homosexual” in Greek did not mean that at all–it was a word Paul made up in that passage, and scholars tend to think it referred to male (temple) prostitutes.
Also interesting that he claims not to want anyone to join a religion when he’s proselytizing and yelling hate-filled things at people across the street.
In the New Testament, Yeshua (who never said a word about homosexuality) says the important thing is not following rules to the T, but rather loving one’s fellow people. He openly denounced Pharisees whose preaching resembles this group’s.
There were three times as many counter-protesters as there were fundamentalists the last time I saw. It’s good to see our campus community takes a stand against bigotry.
Beth.. very ignorant of you. being tied up and robbed is so not cool by anyones stanndard.. nor is drug dealing.. or mugging.. hit for hire? unthinkable.. you really outta lose the judgmental Spirit you have.. poor girl, you seem very sad. what is it? why do you accuse? saying it be better.. how? saying stop being evil is a faer cry from being evil yourself. not lying, cursing, drinking, drugging, killing, stealing, cheating, random sex, hate, violence.. doing those things are bad.. living good isnt.. say to me.. well whats God.. none of the things that go with being a thug.. the only protester i see here is you students accusing someone of evil.. while your own words show you malicious mind.,. poor souls.. you are the one who judges.. speaking what Gods word say,… is that evil? if it really is Gods word.. and some do believe it is.. how is it wrong voicing Gods opinion,.. is it because its not your own? so what.. God is subject to your sense of morality and your reasoning.. dont do that.. your better than that.. and if someone is saying things like.. turn ffrom eveil and do good. stop sinning.. be nice.. thats wrong? what about cursing someone out? hating someone because they are christian.. or not your type of christian.. thats evil. need to examine yourself young lady. but hey.. im a fool right. i know one thing.. i dont think im anything.. i am nothing.. but you really need to listen to your own words of condemnation.. and your own Judgmentalness.. but this preacher is evil? why? because he speaks what contained in the bible.. 1 cor 6:9-10.. if this really is Gods word.. and what Jesus said in the gospel according to JOHN 3:18 is true.. why in the universe would anyone not preach to the masses to turn from those things.. if Jesus is God.. and Gods word is contained in the bible.. and it is True is true… after the blip our little lives are in this world.. well, if its true.. theres a continuence to this life as the bible says.. and God is a judge and will judge according to the word of the revealed Lord contained in the bible.. if you never did repent and believe.. like Jesus said to do.. you would have wished that crazy guy with a sign shook you violently to get you to see the light.. the truth.. Jesus.. but thats if you believe Jesus is God.. For those that do believe.. the foolishness of The bible is Gods word.. to you its just foolishness.. but, God said.. through the foolishness of preaching some may believe and repent.. and be saved.. remember the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man. be careful. listen sharp, think deep, and keep your mouth closed if you have nothing good and nice to say. Peace be with you dear one
Omg these crazy bible thumper won’t give it up! Dude we don’t care!!! Let us live our freaking lives in peace we don’t want you attacking us because you hate us God is the only one who can judge me. Got it?!? You were worse then probably all of us put together so just shut it. People would like you better if you went back to being a thug.
1 John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
And PHIL.. god hates when you bare false witness.. Just saying. Stop that.
Hey PHIL.. Jesus said your in danger of he’ll fire when you call someone a fool.. Hellfire… Watch how YOU judge.. With the measure you use it will be measured to you…. Just think of it please.. I care about you man
First remove the plank.. Out of your own eye.. Than you will see clear to remove the smudge in your brothers.. .. “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). You judge me based of appearance.. Thou Hypocrite. Jesus said: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck out of your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:1-5).
Jesus has commanded us to judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24).
“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:15). “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11).
“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6).
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). This is reminiscent of Leviticus 19:15. “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. But in righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.”
There is a place for righteous judgment. When Christians persist in sin, they are to be judged by their fellow Christians, as Paul explained to the Corinthians: “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves that wicked person’” (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).
When Christians come in conflict, some wise man should be found to judge between his brethren: “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).
“Teach and exhort these things. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wrangling of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself” (2 Timothy 6:2b-5).
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17,18).
So.. Now that you know.. Use righteous judgement.. Your only pointing your finger at Gods word.
These people just hate! You need to repent for judging you forget the verse “thou shall not judge!”
Zachary Tatter, you have been quoting a lot of scripture but you have been forgot one and as a sister in Christ, I feel that you need to be reminded. Matt. 7:1-2, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
No one is perfect not even you. How dare you stand there and telling people that they are going to hell, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!!!! nor do I, only God does! Instead of telling them what they do wrong or where they are going. Listen to them, Show them the love of Christ, is that not the Gospel? All you are doing (hope you can see this) is turning them away! Once they have seen the love of God, let God be the one to change them, you cant to anything if (1) They don’t want to change, and (2) if they haven’t truly found God. Just please stop judging people.
I love it. This guy picks and chooses his lines of scripture to preach and purposefully neglects others.
Jesus in fact loved whores. He in fact loved all people. He would never have called Mary Magdalene a whore though. As this tattered religious fool has called many a conservative woman on Flagler’s campus.
This man is very confused and is doing what cults do. Twisting certain parts of scripture into what he believes is righteous. It is said that man was created in the image of god. This is absolutely true for who is in more control of your destiny than yourself. You are your own god. You create your own destiny. Every choice you make has an outcome. Obviously this man had a tortured background and now he feels he has too shame others who live this way. When in fact if Jesus were alive, he would openly love these people, not openly berate them.
I am sorry but your religion is filled with hate and you are no exception.
As an atheist I do not agree with what and how they are preaching. However, I commend Zachary for overcoming his troubled youth. Yes, religion could be thought of as just a different kind of addiction, but I think that making the attempt to help others is better than hurting yourself. Maybe he is not going about this the best way, but he is standing up for something he believes in. And faulting him for that is just as bad as him faulting others for not believing.
I think the important thing here is to keep an open mind and remember to try to see things from others’ perspectives. Everyone comes from different walks of life. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s how you overcome your mistakes. You don’t have to be religious, you don’t have to believe in God, but you can treat others as you would want to be treated, to give them a chance to explain how they see the world.
This goes for Zachary too- if you can take this passion and channel it for something productive, such as helping those less fortunate or even just doing random good deeds, that can touch a lot of people. Rather than seeing the negative actions of people, focus on the positives. Have you ever thought of expanding your knowledge of religion in general? It’s always good to know as much about a subject even if you don’t agree with it all. Talk to others of different religions and see the positive ideas you have in common. Take a class in the psychology of religion and see why and how religion plays a part in peoples lives. I think that combining more education and your drive, you can make a positive difference. This life is all we know. It doesn’t have to be about religion, it doesn’t have to be about quoting a book, it can be as simple as treating others with respect and kindness.
Condemning? What he say on that? You judge me .. Big log
What he teach about Conde ing.. Take the log out of your eye.
Yeah walked out of His home, different time zone
Lives in eternity, now He’s living in time zones?
This is mind blowin, God of the universe
Knows every star in the sky to my human hurts
Made the trees, made the breeze
Made the seas, emcees like J and me
But let me tell you what amazes me
How He came as a man who was made to need
Hungered and thirsty, and the very same Earth that He cursed
He’s now fully immersed in
Look at His work He’s God to be exalted
But He came and lived with people falling and faulted
I hope you get it homes
Only a God who’s perfect in love would ever leave His throne for some skin and bones
It’s hard to live breathing to death
When the same God that made you is breathing your breath
Who is He?
God in the flesh who was tested
Who came manifested was killed, resurrected
Who are you?
Do you even know who you are?
Created to know the God who created the stars
Who is He?
He was, He is, He will be
Death couldn’t hold Him and neither shall death seal me
Who are you?
You better of never existing if you don’t trust the God of the scriptures
You listenin?
Can you imagine God in the flesh invisible seen as visible
infinite seeming finite spirit becoming physical
its odd man God man slept and obeyed
the earths confines to breathe the very breath that he made
he would sweat
he would weep
even eat
for his hunger
defeat death
within three
so we’d see
that He’s stronger
could give us anything even offer us wealth
that wouldn’t be love if he ain’t offer himself
So He stepped down
From His throne and removed His crown
And touched ground
Even though He knew He would be bruised and bound
He is that was then next and later on
And still is what me and Crae can’t convey in this song
Though, our minds can never reason His fame
The question is do you really see Him the same?
And if you see Him the same, as the living God and matchless Christ
How much do these tunes impact your life?
Who is He?
God in the flesh who was tested
Who came manifested was killed, resurrected
Who are you?
Do you even know who you are?
Created to know the God who created the stars
Who is He?
He was, He is, He will be
Death couldn’t hold Him and neither shall death seal me
Who are you?
You better of never existing if you don’t trust the God of the scriptures
You listenin?
So as another believer or follower of Christ, I have a different opinion. I believe in who Jesus is and what he did. I agree with everything he taught and see his works as perfect in meaning. However, Mr. Tatter, Jesus never once stood on the corner somewhere with a sign and screamed rudely at passer-bys, shouting that they will burn in hell. You talk about how you believe in his love and preach that part of His word, yet nothing about your “method” at Flagler represents Jesus’s love. You can’t convince someone to turn from their sin by screaming at them. Why don’t you try actually building relationships with these people? That is what Jesus did. He loved people by being with them. Instilling fear and anger won’t do anything but ruin relationships and turn people away from Jesus. Try actually using the love that you keep talking about.
I respect Gargoyle for trying to give an unbiased perspective to these zealots, but if you have the misfortune of meeting them you would quickly pick up the fact that they are on the same level as the Westboro Baptist Church – the same radical, backwards messages that only serve to provoke instead of to promote their beliefs. These people are not interested in spreading the love of God, only to remind the free thinkers on campus that we are lower than dirt, and deserve flaming pits in hell.
I know some people who start out as a look out.. a runner.. a pusher.. all the way up the latter,.. Same thing goes for the professionals I know.. college.. associate at a law firm.. all the way to partner.. ceo… and than owner.. .. they both have this one thing in common.. they work hard. Get results too. Both, struggled their whole lives for that moment of sitting at the top.. to be at the Top… They worked hard. See that, some their lives will be spent for seeking and attaining that goal of success. And than theres me. Im spending myself, my Life.. on a proimise. I’m putting all my trust into this one thing.. for a goal. Heir… OF WHAT? or of WHOM? Well, Thats the promise.. That Christ is God. That the words He spoke were Gods words.. I do believe this. So now I work, I fight, I struggle.. I live… the life.. of a Christian. looking for that goal.. to be at the top.. rather, to be next to the one who IS at the very top, cant get any higher. The seat of God. My Lord Jesus Christ. So what are you living for? Maybe your Job.. house.. fame.. fortune.. what? What is it? People will spend their whole lives for a goal.. and thats it. The game is seriously over when death comes a knocking.. and it will too, trust that. Than comes meeting the true Boss.. Jesus. God. Life… There will be many who will say thats crazy.. Your going to spend your whole life hoping that what Jesus said is true? How do you know it is true if it is? Cuz, I’m different. That promise, believing it.. Has changed Me. It Would change you too, if you came to know God, realizing that He IS very concerned with all of us.. Loves us too.. So as for me, Yeah, I’ll spend my whole life working for this one thing.. the kingdom of God. Advancing the gospel whenever.. wherever, preaching, witnessing, Loving, giving.. hoping. I will spend myself.. and die. All for That promise.. Your a Son now, I love you. I have Adopted you.. here, Enter into My Kingdom.. prince of God.. really? its really a no brainer.. Yes.. I’ll work 80 years for that goal.. who know’s but God.. maybe it will be less? All for that true realization.. that promise, that truth.. All because of faith in one man Jesus.. that He is infact God..? Thats it, thats all i got to do.. believe in Him and be given more than i could ever or would be able to dream?? Son.. Yeah, I Will do that. Really Really hope you do as well.. brother? sister? Prince or Princess. Heir? lol yeah.. a no brainer.. come on
Will see
He is just another addict. Swapping an addiction to substances for an addiction to religion. Live your life for what it is. Using “god” to cure your anxiety and fears is no different than drinking until you black out or eating a hand full of xanax. Only you can take care of your problems, and by pacifying yourself with blind religion you will never advance your mind or your life.
You help no one. You are no better than a drug dealer selling substance to pacify the weak minded and easily tempted.
While the protesters are annoying and disturb the peace on campus, the students do an equally annoying job when they sit there and try to protest against the protesters. If they want them to go away all they have to do is ignore them. Sadly, we are in college and everyone feels they need to let their voices be heard. The one downfall of college, too many idiots who want to protest and these preachers just feed them fodder to do so. :\
Typical system junkie. “I am a bad horrible person,” and now all of a sudden “I found God.” People like this make me sick. Look at his record.
This guy is all about the attention and publicity. Don’t give it to him. He doesn’t represent or go about things correctly.
John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.John 3: 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.John 3: 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. John3:21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. So, next time you quote scripture Seeking to teach it.. Make sure you don’t forget the other important parts..
One more thing.. Don’t want any to join “religion” .. I want you to know God.. In Spirit and in truth.. Just as Jesus said .. “the Father desire that him that worship him.. Must now come to worship Him and Spirit and in truth..” it’s not the bible.. It’s not religion.. It’s not the priest, pastor, or the good works.. It’s coming to know God by believing that the man Jesus Christ.. Is infact God. Knowing that truth and confessing that pure truth.. will set you free from Sin.. And you will be light.. Because He is light.. Let go let go.. And believe.
Wow, what a blessing. IM really not important enough to be talked about though.. I never do mean for anyone to think that Jesus Christ is hate. If it is hate to you.. Please come to know love.. That lil tune will change drastically once you come to know God.. But please read the who paragraph from the book of John.. Mr. This is what John 3:16 says.. Did you not know there is an 18 and 19 as well…? Many blessings! God bless you and revel to even you.. The real truth. Amen
Religious persecution and supremacy have always been the largest causes of violence, hatred, intolerance and genocide among humans as long as civilization has been established. These people are acting out on the same warped ideas the crusaders were, as the Israelis wiping out the Palestinians are, as the extremists killing innocents with suicide bombs are. The methods are different, and change within history, and from society to society, but the message is the same- everybody who does not fully submit to the one true God is evil and their ways must be changed. Pitiful, supremacy-driven, dangerous scumbags, every one of them.
However, a comprehensive and insightful article and interview, good job.
There are people that come to Kennesaw State also preaching hate to students. They yell we are all sinners and that we are going to hell. Especially singling out homosexuals and girls that wear “skimpy” clothing. I feel they would get more people to join their religion if they preached love and not fire and brimstone.