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Not for Reproduction Copyright 2008 QNotes Not for Reproduction16 SEPTEMBER 20 . 2008 • QNotesF A I T H & V A L U E SAnti-gay Focus on the Familyleader to speak in N.C.Truth”; Erwin Lutzer, author and pastor ofChicago’s Moody Church; William Dembski,author, scholar and educator and others.Many of the speakers have been known toespouse anti-gay views, or are closely associatedwith organizations that do.“Attendees will receive the answers neededfor today’s spiritual questions and beequipped and empowered to live out theirfaith and share it effectively,” Dr. Alexc o p rMcFarland,ipresidentgof Southern Evangelicalh tSeminary, said in a press release.“We arebringing together the nation’s leading powerhouseson Christian apologetics and no mat-and “therapies” exist. ◗c o p r i g h tJames Dobson will speak at church ter what happens in this year’s presidentialin Novemberelection, which will have taken place just a fewdays before the conference, Christians willby Matt Comer . Q-Notes staffneed to be equipped more than ever on howto defend the truth.”CHARLOTTE — The anti-gay spokespersonand president of the nation’s leading radi-covered during the two-day event will includeAccording to conference organizers, topicscal “family values” organization will speak at the Christian worldview, moral relativism,the National Conference on Christianhomosexuality and gay marriage, respondingApologetics in early November.to belief systems that oppose Christianity,James Dobson of the Colorado Springs, moral purity and sexual abstinence, ethical2 0 0 8Colo.-based Focus on the Family will speak at issues,stem cell research,the sanctity ofthe conference Nov. 7-8, to be held at Hickory human life and more.Grove Baptist Church. The theme for thisThe conference also as a youth track foryear’s conference is “A Summit on Defense of teens, college students and youth leaders.the Biblical Worldview.” The various panelsPhil Hargett, an officer with theand sessions will focus on radical, anti-gay Mecklenburg County Gay and Lesbian PoliticalChristian doctrine espoused by such organizationsas Dobson’s.has no plans yet to protest Dobson’s appearance.Action Committee (MeckPAC), said his groupOther speakers include Chuck Colson of“It’s my opinion that when James DobsonBreakpoint and Prison Fellowship Ministries; and those aligned with him use their rigidJosh McDowell, radio host, author and evangelist;Lee Strobel, journalist and author;authenticity of people who are gay, he and hisinterpretation of Christianity to deny the veryDinesh D’Souza, author and former senior ilk unwittingly help the cause of gay equality,”policy analyst during the Reagan administration;Hargett said.“They end up motivating thec o p r iDr. David Noebel,ga biblical worldviewhmajority of fair-mindedtAmericans to standexpert and founder of Summit Ministries; Del up and say ‘enough’ to the use of one group’sTackett, leader of Focus On the Family’s “The religious beliefs to deny another group theirbasic authenticity and equality.”The 2006 Apologetics conference held atthe same church featured the “ex-gay” lesbianMelissa Fryrear, a Dobson associate who presentedher story of “Sharing Christ with theHomosexual.” Fryrear is a leader of the “exgay”Love Won Out conferences produced byFocus on the Family and Exodus International.The City of Charlotte is home to two “exgay,”Exodus-affiliated ministries and oneaffiliated church. All told, the Carolinas arehome to six Exodus ministries and churches,although more anti-gay and ex-gay ministriesLeaders document crisisfrom page 1process of healing. That’s why I feel particularlyproud to be part of this project with somany others who’ve been there.”2 0 0 8Along with Comer, Gold and Williams,additional contributors with ties to theCarolinas are:Brent Childers, executive director of Faithin America who shares his journey from religion-basedintolerance to genuine acceptance.Jimmy Creech,a former United MethodistChurch pastor who was stripped of his credentialsin 1999 for his steadfast support ofthe LGBT community. He debunks the notionthat being gay or lesbian is a sin.Lane Hudson, communications director ofFaith in America who recalls hisc o p rinternalistruggle withgcoming out.h tKevin Jennings,founder oftheGay, Lesbian and StraightEducation Network (GLSEN)who underscores the tragic costsof schools that don’t visibly andactively support gay and lesbian students.Elke Kennedy,founder ofSean’s Last Wishwho recounts the devastation of losing a gayson to homophobic violence and her drive togive Sean’s death a degree of purpose throughher activism.Jarrod Parker, a 22-year-old Emergency,Fire and Aeromedical Services worker inGreenville, S.C., who recounts an incident ofanti-gay abuse at the hands of fellow camp leadersthat begins his trek toward self-acceptance.Rev. Dr. Stephen Shoemaker, senior pastorat Myers Park Baptist Church who contributesa sermon he delivered to his congregationin 2001 calling for the full inclusion ofgays and lesbians in the life of the church.Proceeds from sales of “Crisis,” availablenow at White Rabbit and other book retailers,benefit seven organizations providing directservices to LGBT Youth. They are: The TrevorProject, GLSEN, The Point Foundation,Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays(PFLAG), Ali Forney Center, LA Gay andLesbian Homeless Shelter and MCC-NYHomeless Youth Services/Sylvia’s PlaceHomeless Youth Shelter. ◗Not for Reproduction Copyright 2008 QNotes Not for Reproduction