by Brian Dear
Daily Cougar StaffUniversity of Houston police temporarily stopped a fundamentalist Christian family from staging a protest against higher education Monday in Butler Plaza near PGH.
Michael Worniecki and seven members of his family traveled from Eugene, Ore., to spread their controversial message. He said the family's travels have taken them all over the United States to stage demonstrations in various public locations.
Worniecki, his wife Rachel and six children firmly believe that college is a waste of time.
"You're all just wasting your lives away. Why go to college -- do you want a job like your father?" Worniecki pleaded with an uninterested student.
The self-produced pamphlets being distributed by the Worniecki family, including 6-year-old David, were in violation of university policy, said UHPD Sgt. John Williams.
"They are supposed to register themselves with the Dean of Students and obtain a stamp to authorize the handouts," he said.
UH Assistant Dean of Students Ed Berry said any group wishing to distribute handbills or to protest must first fill out a form at the dean's office. Then, after a consultation with the group, the dean will decide whether to honor the request.
After a brief delay during which the requisite paperwork was completed, the Worniecki family resumed the demonstration.
Worniecki resumed shouting and denouncing several religious figures, while holding an 8-foot wooden cross.
"The Pope, Mohammed, Confusious, and Buddha -- they are all false prophets. Those who believe in them are going to hell," he shouted.
Worniecki's home-schooled children engaged in the majority of the silent labor. Sarah, 15, waved a 10-foot wooden flagpole that proclaimed the hellbound nature of students. The other children divided tasks of handing out fliers and holding a large banner, duplicating the flag's message.