His efforts were successful and landed his name on the front page of the Chicago Tribune, on the city's 10 o'clock newscasts and on national television talk shows, including those of Oprah Winfrey, Phil Donahue and Larry King.

He said he took up the mantle of promoting his cause across the state and nation simply because no one else was doing so. "I'm the only one doing it. Most people suffer from poultry syndrome, so they don't take on these cases. They're chicken."

Motives questioned

Some people, such as Marion City Commissioner Jay Rix, aren't convinced of the purity of Sherman's motives.

Rix said Sherman has gotten what he wants in the form of attention and public outrage. While he doesn't want to condemn the man or sound hateful, which he said would be un-Christian behaviors, he has problems understanding Sherman and his motives.

"There's no way I can understand people like that," he said. "I honestly don't know what to say. Why, why would anyone do something like that?

"You're supposed to love the sinner and hate the sin, but he really pushes your thinking."