Evangelical Christian Leader in Charlotte Invites Local Gay Clergy to Participate in a Public Dialogue on the Bible and Homosexual Practice
Contact: Eric McCoy, assistant to the director, Coalition of Conscience, 704-782-3760, emccoy@fire-school.org
CHARLOTTE, NC, August 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dr. Michael L. Brown, director of the Coalition of Conscience, has extended an invitation to Charlotte's gay clergy to participate in a public dialogue on Thursday night, September 20th, from 7:00-9:30 PM. The event will be hosted by FIRE Church, located at 4323 Concord Pkwy S., Concord, North Carolina.
Brown said he was prompted to call for this public dialogue after reading an article in Q-Notes, the gay newspaper of the Carolinas, which stated that Pride Charlotte would feature a "Booth of Truth" that would offer "truthful, gay affirming information about spirituality."
Said Brown, "This is a highly divisive issue that is of paramount importance to tens thousands of Christians in the greater Charlotte area, and it's about time that we bring the relevant issues to light in a mutually respectful, Christlike manner. Hopefully, clergy in the gay and lesbian community will be willing to come out on this issue too."
Brown also pointed out that the stakes are high. "If my viewpoint is wrong, that means I've been guilty of making God into a bigoted homophobe. If their viewpoint is wrong, that means they're sanctioning sin." Brown added that Jesus himself said that, "whoever lives by the truth comes into the light." "So," Brown asked, "if we're convinced that our position is right, why not bring it into the light? Do we have anything to hide?"
Still, despite the highly-controversial nature of the subject, Brown believes that there can be a healthy dialogue without acrimony or venom. "Hopefully, in 21st century America, we can air our differences and have serious interaction without engaging in name-calling, hate speech, or rancor. And certainly, there will be no gay-bashing from me."
Brown holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures from New York University and is a published biblical scholar. He has appeared on numerous TV shows, including Donahue, Prime Time Justice, Fox News, Hard Copy, and Inside Edition. His work has also been featured in newspapers such as the Washington Post, the Charlotte Observer, and the Baltimore Sun. He will personally present invitations to gay clergy at the "Booth of Truth" at the Pride Charlotte event this Saturday, August 25, at noon.
There will be a news conference at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 24, in front of Gateway Village, at 800 West Trade St., Charlotte.
