One of the greatest things about a college campus is the acceptance of different viewpoints and the ability of everyone to openly express their ideas. It's called the First Amendment, and we here at Penn State usually do a good job of affording everyone their free speech rights.

However, some people need a lesson in common sense. It's always a good idea to practice what you Willard preach.

Last Friday, Clarence "Bro" Cope, who returned as the Willard Preacher this semester after a 23-year hiatus, was doing his usual sermon outside the Willard Building. A few students, led by Nat Jackson (senior-anthropology), president of Penn State's Atheist and Agnostic Association, began to sarcastically "worship" Cope, making the preacher frustrated.

After facing accusations of being insane, "Bro" responded with a less-than-kind comeback.

"If I am insane, you ought to seriously be concerned that I don't pull out my knife and slit your throat," Cope said.

Praise the Lord.

Perhaps Cope's recent actions will cause the student body to appreciate current Willard preacher Gary Cattell more.

Cattell may espouse many viewpoints that people don't agree with, but he takes a much more fair approach to his preaching. He allows people to debate him without interruption or threats.

If you want to argue with Cattell, you are given the opportunity to speak your mind. "Bro," on the other hand, simply uses yelling, whistles and intimidation to get his way.

Many students have chosen to engage Cattell, and though they won't convince him to change his ideology, the peaceful back-and-forth between the two parties is a good example of why freedom of speech is so great. Two people can air their grievances, be heard by one another and walk away without any talk of throat-slitting.

The point that Cope was so ineloquently trying to make was that if Jackson and others really thought he was insane, they wouldn't be harassing him or interacting so closely with him. Unfortunately for "Bro," it didn't come out that way at all.

Police intervened, confiscating a pen knife that Cope was carrying. No charges were filed, but the aftermath of the story shows that there is clearly a right and wrong way to get one's point across.

Cope, supposedly delivering a Christian message, acted in a way unbefitting a true preacher. Cattell, though he berates homosexuality, the sex lives of college students and many other aspects of society, at least does so in a more quiet and unthreatening manner.

Preaching your views is acceptable. Cattell has done so for many years outside Willard and made himself a staple of campus life. However, becoming a disturbance to the campus is not. Maybe "Bro" should take a lesson from Cattell before his next appearance.