As one who holds beliefs generally considered Christian, I am beginning to weary of the frequent complaint of "persecution" most recently expressed by T.James Eisenman (Diversity absent, Feb. 8).

Mr. Eisenman states that "the Collegian didn't fail to report (the number of people turned away) when Bishop Tutu spoke. What made (Josh McDowell's appearance) different?"

Nothing, as far as I know. Bishop Tutu is a world-renowned peacemaker, as well as a Christian clergyman. The Collegian's coverage of a man whose words express decidedly Christian goals of peace, compassion and tolerance isn't exactly persecution of Christianity.

I will agree that ripping down posters that proclaimed Josh McDowell's appearance was, perhaps, uncalled for. The rights of groups to post notices of public events should certainly not be suppressed.

Furthermore, several people who attended his speech on campus have told me that the Collegian's summary was inadequate and perhaps inaccurate.

However, I wonder if the hostility was directed not at Josh, or at all of Christiandom, as Mr. Eisenman seems to think, but at the groups that sponsored Josh's appearance? They listed themselves as Campus Crusade for Christ, the Navigators, Alliance Christian Fellowship, Great Commission and other groups that represent only the conservative end of the religious spectrum.

Mr. Eisenman expresses a great desire for diversity and tolerance. However, while not impossible, it is difficult to look kindly on groups whose members themselves often openly discourage tolerance, free speech and free will . . . all in the name of Christ.

Regretfully, I find it hard to embrace anyone who unquestioningly labels women who have abortions as "murderers" without any apparent compassion for the situations in which they find themselves.

It's a little hard to sympathize with people who applaud the execution of a full-fledged human being whom they have been instructed not to judge, but to love and forgive. It's difficult to be understanding to people who call loudly for diversity after defining homophobia as "the fear of telling homosexuals that they're wrong."

It's hard to agree with people who, after threatening to disrupt the showing of a film that others find deeply religious (such as The Last Temptation of Christ), announce that their rights to free speech have been trampled.

And, finally, it takes a good deal of strength to tolerate groups who sponsor such publications as The Forerunner, which regularly lambastes religious humanism, Unitarianism and liberal Christian perspectives, and call for the suppression of scientific truth.

Mr. Eisenman is right -- we must be more tolerant. And although tolerating groups whose members seem more often to promote intolerance is extremely difficult, it is not impossible.

But if they would like to make it easier for us to fulfill their request, and since they enjoy posting Scripture all over campus, I suggest that they go look up Matthew 7:12 (on reciprocity) and do exactly what it says.