Conservative activist Shane Winnings visited Michigan State University Thursday night, delivering remarks on religion, patriotism and the value of male-led families as a part of his “America Needs Godly Men” tour.
Speaking to a handful of students in a Wells Hall lecture hall, Winnings railed against “cultural Marxism” and stated what he believes to be its antidote.
“The number one pushback to Marxism and to Marxist communist ideology is a strong family,” said Winnings. “It's not religion. It's not conviction. It's not political parties. It's not money. A strong family is led by a strong man, and that craziness dies at his front door.”
Winnings is CEO of Promise Keepers, an evangelical Christian organization whose target audience is men. He is an Army veteran who served in the Afghan War before turning to law enforcement, and then quitting in 2021 to ministral work full-time. The “America Needs Godly Men” tour has included stops across the college campus speaking circuit, including the University of Iowa, Purdue and the University of Connecticut.
Winnings’ lecture was hosted by MSU’s chapter of Turning Point USA.
Winnings was interrupted just two minutes into his remarks when an individual entered the lecture hall playing the Italian anti-facist folk song “Bella Ciao” on a clarinet, before being escorted out shortly after. The individual then walked into the room again, this time signing the lyrics to the song, before being escorted once more. (One audience member noted that the lyrics were scrawled on bullet casings used in the assassination of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk.)
Once the speech resumed, Winnings spoke on his own values as a Christian and outlined his belief that how people live their lives matters and is a reflection of their faith.
“Something happens when we die, and as a Christian, I believe we're going to stand before God,” Winnings said. “We're going to give an account for our lives. And only if we have given our lives to Christ are we going to be justified in front of our creator and a holy God.”
Winnings then railed against a host of topics he believes go against those Christian and family values including abortion rights, mass immigration and popular media, which he called “degenerate.”
“If your dad’s taking you to a Taylor Swift concert — I'm not trying to throw shade — but I am just saying, why are you listening to that?” Winnings said, referring to the song “Wood” from Swift’s most recent album. “Is this acceptable truly, especially if you’re a Christian?”
