Contact: Dr. Michael L. Brown, Director, 704-782-3760, 704-701-2886 cell; Eric McCoy, Assistant, 704-782-3760, 704-701-2886 cell, eric@icnministries.org; both with Coalition of Conscience 

CHARLOTTE, Nc., Feb. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Thursday night, Feb. 14th, Dr. Michael L. Brown, Director of the Charlotte-based Coalition of Conscience, will hold a public dialogue with Mr. Harry Knox, Director of Faith and Religion for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the world's largest homosexual advocacy organization. This dialogue will be offered as part of Brown's lecture series on "Can You Be Gay and Christian?", which will be held Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 11th-13th, and Friday Feb. 15th, at 7:00 PM at the Booth Playhouse in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte.

According to Brown, the subject of "a Christian response to homosexuality" cannot be avoided, especially here and now in Charlotte. He states that it is "highly significant" that on Saturday night, Feb. 16th, Meyers Park Baptist Church will receive a special award from the HRC for their decision to receive gays and lesbians into full church membership and leadership. "How should churches respond to homosexuality in a biblical and compassionate manner?" Brown asks. "This may sound trite, but as Christians we must ask the question of 'What would Jesus do?' It's also fair to ask how Jesus would feel about receiving special recognition from a gay activist organization. Is this cause for celebration or cause for consternation?"

Last February, immediately before the annual HRC fund-raising dinner, Brown delivered a week-long lecture series on "Homosexuality, the Church, and Society," provoking a response from HRC president Joe Solmonese, who publicly challenged Brown, saying, "We are not afraid to take you on and to take back the conversation about religion and faith in America." In response, Dr. Brown suggested a public discussion, which led to Thursday night's dialogue with Harry Knox.

There will be a news conference at 1:00 PM, Monday, Feb. 11th, in front of the Blumenthal on the corner of Fifth St. and Tryon. At the news conference, Brown will be joined by Pastor Mark Harris of First Baptist Church, along with other pastors from the greater Charlotte area. They will announce details of the Brown-Knox dialogue and will give their perspective on the situation with Meyers Park Baptist.