Editors,

"Student recounts painful conversion therapy, abuse" is a story of horror and tragedy if it is true. Because of this story's potential consequences toward the vast majority of practicing Christians who, in reality, abhor this kind of treatment of people, I hope that Jason Miller and the Collegian have made a duly diligent attempt to corroborate Swanson's story.

It is notable that almost no details were included in this series' introduction that can be verified. That does not invalidate this story, but one that is as accusatory as this one is needs to have evidence.

I was led down a long trail of lies developed for years by someone regarding the abusive treatment by her Muslim father and the subsequent development of her medical conditions. She was very convincing, but it turned out to be false. I've learned to independently verify these kinds of stories.

As a leader of a Christian campus ministry at K-State, I must strongly condemn the kind of actions and treatment that are described in this article.

The abuse and conversion therapy described have no place in any community that has the principles of Christ at its core — namely, love, acceptance and protection of the full humanity of people, regardless of whether their lifestyles are the way of God or not. Christ did not beat people for their sins — he instead chose to face death himself because of them.

It is our duty to treat people with the love and respect of Christ. This includes members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and inter-sex community.

-Cary McCall, campus minister, Cats for Christ