Guest Frank_Nabbit Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Man dressed as the devil disrupts ‘Passion’ movie By Bill Dinkel, THG News Moviegoers at Stadium 16 Theater in Evansville attending a showing of “Passion of the Christ” got more than they bargained for Saturday night. They were greeted in the lobby of the theater by a man wearing a ‘red devil’ costume. Tyler Wendell, a 19 year old freshman at the University of Southern Indiana, caused quite a ruckus with his get-up. The audience, many who were part of church groups, was visibly upset by the antics of Wendell. ”I always like to push the limits,” Wendell said. Many were upset that Wendell chose to wear a devil costume to a religious movie. Many patrons jeered Wendell as he stood in line for concessions. Once inside the movie, Christians began pelting Wendell with Gummy Bears, Ju-Ju Bees, and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman, Hazel Meyer, poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on Wendell. Tim Tolbert, General Manager of Kerasotes Stadium 16, asked Wendell to leave because he was such a disruptive presence. “Our corporate policy is to eject anyone that interferes with the movie experience of fellow patrons,” Tolbert said. Ingrid Holzappel, a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, was outraged. “This is no place for this type of behavior,” Holzappel remarked, “This was already a sensitive subject, and then to mock it by dressing up as Satan is despicable.” When asked what he hoped to accomplish by his actions, Wendell said he likes doing things to get a reaction. He was also inspired by a biography he read about the Marquis de Sade. De Sade was an 18th century writer who caused scandals with his libertine behavior in pre-revolutionary France. De Sade was once arrested for desecrating the Holy Eucharist to see if God really existed. Wendell said his stunt was along the same lines. Wendell, an atheist, said, “If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.” He also wanted to prove “that Christians aren’t as forgiving as they portray”. Wendell says his actions were also partially due to a genuine dislike of Mel Gibson. Tolbert replied that Wendell was “a misguided and deranged person.” Tolbert also said measures are being taken to ensure this type of disruption does not occur again. “From now on, people dressed offensively will not be allowed to enter the theatre.” Kerasotes’ management is in the process of creating new guidelines for preventing people dressed as “evil beings” from gaining entrance to the theatre. As of this writing, Evansville police were investigating the incident Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Murmuring Beast 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 NEWS No, they got that bit wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boner Kawanger 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Once inside the movie, Christians began pelting Wendell with Gummy Bears, Ju-Ju Bees, and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman, Hazel Meyer, poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on Wendell. Seventy-five dollars down the drain, folks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Stupid fuck. People should've lit his tail on fire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 I wonder what would have happened had he actually made it to the crucifixtion scene, would he start cheering and snarling at the screen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Well, *I* thought it was funny. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SP-1 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 (edited) If God struck people down for being stupid, alot of people would be struck down every day. His reasoning is faulty and based on an unbiblical view of God. Also, basing his judgement of Christians on an event which he himself provoked, while also not taking notes on who was a professing Christian, who was a professing Catholic, and who was simply there to view the movie means his results are largely inconclusive. If I didn't know ebtter from my healthy, personal relationships with them, I might be tempted to make the blanket statement that all atheists are idiots bent on demonstrating their stupidity publicly. Luckily, this loving Christian enjoyes the company of his Atheist friends and doesnt condemn them or try to rile them up. Edited March 2, 2004 by SpiderPoet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Danny Dubya v 2.0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Ingrid Holzappel, a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, was outraged. ?This is no place for this type of behavior,? Holzappel remarked, ?This was already a sensitive subject, and then to mock it by dressing up as Satan is despicable.? Meh, grow a thicker skin and ignore the brainless youngster. Attention is what he wants, so don't fucking give it to him in any form. If I didn't know ebtter from my healthy, personal relationships with them, I might be tempted to make the blanket statement that all atheists are idiots bent on demonstrating their stupidity publicly. Can't say I've had the same personal experience. Most atheists I have met are very intelligent, and although most christians I know aren't stupid, most aren't smart either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Wendell, an atheist, said, “If God really existed, He would have struck me down for dressing as the devil.” Uhm...No. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted March 2, 2004 heh. very stupid/amusing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus Report post Posted March 2, 2004 NEWS No, they got that bit wrong. LMAO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BorneAgain 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Eh, its not as blasphemous as my friend's idea; dressing up as Jesus, seeing the movie, and shouting "Hey, I don't rememeber that happening." during certain parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Would have been funnier if he was in an Easter Bunny Costume. Then when they all started pelting the Easter Bunny with crap, the kids would go nuts because their parents were pelting the Easter Bunny. THATS 18kt GOLD! The only thing better would have been Santa Claus, but it doesn't exactly fit the timing/theme of the movie. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tawren 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Eh, its not as blasphemous as my friend's idea; dressing up as Jesus, seeing the movie, and shouting "Hey, I don't rememeber that happening." during certain parts. GOLD, Jerry, GOLD. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Once inside the movie, Christians began pelting Wendell with Gummy Bears, Ju-Ju Bees, and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman, Hazel Meyer, poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on Wendell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Fire and Knives Report post Posted March 2, 2004 A buddy of mine bet me $25 I wouldn't stand up in the middle of the theatre and yell, "YOU GOT SERVED!" as the first nail went in. I did it. I'm going to hell, and it's going to be fun. K. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest KJ Brackish Report post Posted March 2, 2004 People like that are such dumbasses. They prove that they youth of america are indeed..... BRAINDEAD! If I was at the movie theater and I saw him, I woulda kicked his ass without a shadow of a doubt. (Especially since I'm around his age). What an idiot! DFA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ted the Poster 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Eh, its not as blasphemous as my friend's idea; dressing up as Jesus, seeing the movie, and shouting "Hey, I don't rememeber that happening." during certain parts. That's 24-karat gold there. After the showing that I saw ended my buddy stood up and said "So that's why we have a rabbit who hides eggs in the spring!". Half the theater laughed and the other half looked like they were watching a kitten die. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Eh, its not as blasphemous as my friend's idea; dressing up as Jesus, seeing the movie, and shouting "Hey, I don't rememeber that happening." during certain parts. That's 24-karat gold there. After the showing that I saw ended my buddy stood up and said "So that's why we have a rabbit who hides eggs in the spring!". Half the theater laughed and the other half looked like they were watching a kitten die. Thats just funny for all the wrong reasons Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Taking during any movie warrants a one way ticket to hell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Giuseppe Zangara 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 I prefer my plan of wearing a yarmulke and laughing during the torture scenes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Eh, its not as blasphemous as my friend's idea; dressing up as Jesus, seeing the movie, and shouting "Hey, I don't rememeber that happening." during certain parts. That's 24-karat gold there. After the showing that I saw ended my buddy stood up and said "So that's why we have a rabbit who hides eggs in the spring!". Half the theater laughed and the other half looked like they were watching a kitten die. Why not dress up like the Easter Bunny and afterwards say see what happens when you mess with my holiday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Fook Report post Posted March 2, 2004 I prefer my plan of wearing a yarmulke and laughing during the torture scenes. That is just so wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 It's satire. This article comes from the Hoosier Gazette, known for satire. Who here is a Farker? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest KJ Brackish Report post Posted March 2, 2004 I like to Fark people! Really though....define Farker. I haven't heard of that word anywhere and I refuse to go look it up. DFA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldSchoolWrestling 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 When asked what he hoped to accomplish by his actions, Wendell said he likes doing things to get a reaction. He was also inspired by a biography he read about the Marquis de Sade. What he meant to say was that he was inspired by the show Jackass where the guy dressed as the devil taunted people and almost got his ass kicked. A buddy of mine bet me $25 I wouldn't stand up in the middle of the theatre and yell, "YOU GOT SERVED!" as the first nail went in. I did it. What happened when you did this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoff 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 It's a shade amusing, but it's pretty much just stupid. People who do anything "just to get a reaction" are usually lower on the intellectual scale, and this seems to be no exception. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Once inside the movie, Christians began pelting Wendell with Gummy Bears, Ju-Ju Bees, and popcorn. Management got involved after a 75-year-old woman, Hazel Meyer, poured a 64-ounce Coca-Cola on Wendell. Love thy neighbor indeed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Art Sandusky 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 This is the funniest thread in a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cran Da Maniac 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2004 Wendell says his actions were also partially due to a genuine dislike of Mel Gibson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites