The evangelist must remember that it is not the government that gives him the right to preach publicly. That right comes to us from the One who said, “All authority is given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore . . . ” So when it comes to the when and where of preaching the Gospel, we can say, “All things are lawful for me.” The Christian has the backing of heaven when he stands in front of a sociology class and gives a personal testimony, when he or she has a dorm-room Bible study, or gives Gospel literature to a student standing in line at the cafeteria. But though we do not seek the approbation of the world in order to preach Christ, wisdom also teaches us that “all things are not expedient.” Therefore we should, as Paul did, acknowledge duly constituted authority in order to be more effective in witnessing. When Christians distribute literature or testify, they need not be scofflaws.
What freedoms and rights do Christians have to present the Gospel at universities? Local restrictions vary, but here are some general guidelines regarding freedom of speech and of the press on college campuses.
Is there a difference between a dormitory and other campus property regarding the right of an individual to share the Gospel? Yes. Because a dormitory is, in part, private property. Since students are renting from the university for their private dwelling, there are restrictions. Consult the housing office on campus for information about what is off-limits. Usually the lobby is open to the general public, and individuals have the right to present the Gospel with anyone sitting in the lobby.
Is there any case in which an individual has a legal right to visit on a dorm floor? If he is invited onto the floor by a resident. A survey completed by a resident requesting that information be dropped off or that further contact be made by the surveyor constitutes such an invitation.
Do the laws above change if the Christian who wants to witness door-to-door lives in the dorm? Not really. However, a person living on the floor has more opportunities for natural contacts and will likely encounter less opposition than an outsider. The administration will usually consider such witnessing less threatening to the dorm’s peace and security.
What right do we have to preach and distribute literature? In the U. S., the First Amendment right to freedom of speech and of the press, made applicable to the state governments by the Fourteenth Amendment, has always been considered so essential to our society that its scope has been broad and its limitations narrow. This is particularly so on college campuses. This “market place of ideas” has been zealously guarded by the courts. A citizen should be free to preach and pass out literature on any sidewalk or corner, or in any park area on the grounds of any public university.
Do the above rights apply to non-students as well as to students? Yes, a non-student has as much right to preach or distribute literature on a college campus as a student.
Do we have these rights at a private university? If the institution is a private college, we would have a weaker case. If the school has any connection with the federal or state government, e.g., if it receives federal funds, a believer would more likely succeed in claiming his First Amendment rights.
Are there limits to a student’s right to preach or pass out literature? Yes, a university may decree reasonable time, place, and manner regulations. The manner of expression, for example public preaching or literature distribution, may be regulated if it is incompatible with the normal activity of a particular place at a particular time. An example would be a regulation which forbids preaching which disrupts classes.
There are some common infringements upon our constitutional rights, such as: when the administration requires a permit to preach or distribute literature; when the administration only permits distribution of literature behind tables set up on campus; when the administration permits preaching at one spot on campus but not anywhere else.
Nonetheless, we still have much liberty. May the Lord help us to take advantage of the freedoms of our land while there is time!