By Alexis Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

When members of a group calling themselves the “Bible Believers” showed up on The College of New Jersey’s campus Thursday with signs proclaiming that “Women belong in the kitchen,” and warning gays, Muslims and others to obey Jesus or burn in Hell, TCNJ students were not going to quietly let them have their say.

Hundreds gathered around the four people carrying the offending signs in the Alumni Grove, many after creating signs of their own with messages of love and inclusion.

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The Philadelphia chapter of the Bible Believers notified the university that they would be visiting TCNJ’s campus to “actively preach the gospel in open air,” according to a university spokesperson.

The Bible Believers gathered on TCNJ's campus for over two hours holding anti-LGBTQ signs and calling students 'losers', one student told NJ Advance Media in an interview Thursday afternoon.

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Not a everyday thing that happens at TCNJ pic.twitter.com/wP6Qycod8d — marina (@jebbymars) April 12, 2018

“TCNJ has public spaces on campus, so it was within their right to be there,” said spokesperson David Muha, who added that the group's values did not align with those of TCNJ.

Students agreed.

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TCNJ Student Marina Marshall said the students began making their own signs to counter the message of the Bible Believers.

"Some students started to hold of signs like ... 'i am holding a sign' to mock the protesters. Also two boys got up near the protesters and started to kiss, which everyone applauded and screamed for," Marshall said.

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We stand united in support of acceptance and in solidarity against prejudice. I am proud to be part of this campus. #TCNJ pic.twitter.com/F6NcmaDsGW — Donna Crupi (@donnacrupi) April 12, 2018

The students were not notified that the Bible Believers were going to show up.

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“It made me upset. It was really disappointing. This campus is incredibly inclusive. It makes you reflect on the current political climate in this country and the extremes. It leaves me speechless. But students responded how they were supposed to," said senior TCNJ student A.J. LoPresti.

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Love TRUMPS hate. Proud of my colleagues at #TCNJ standing up to the west boro baptist protest on campus. pic.twitter.com/JotPAgyOyg — Luke 🇺🇸 (@LukePolitics) April 12, 2018

Campus police as well as Ewing Township police department and NJ State Police responded to the college, but the university said there was no violence.

“I’m extremely proud to be a part of the student body. It was impressive how quickly we responded as a group," LoPresti said.

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Thank you to the crazy Christian protest guy. Without you spewing ridiculous homophobic and anti-muslim nonsense I would not have stumbled upon the delicious baked goods being sold by the TCNJ Muslim Students' Association. Fantastic brownies guys. #TCNJMuslimStudentsAssociation — Casey Goff (@CoachCGoff) April 12, 2018

Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find nj.com on Facebook.