Contact: Deborah Hamilton, 215-815-7716, 610-584-1096, dhamilton@hamiltonstrategies.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 27, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- As Southern Evangelical Seminary prepares for its 18th annual National Conference on Christian Apologetics in October, one keynote speaker is getting international attention as atheist Richard Dawkins refuses to debate him in a public forum.

The conference, set for October 28-29, 2011 at Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C., welcomes Dr. William Lane Craig along with other top experts who bring new insights on the issues Christians face in politics, education, business, the marketplace and in all aspects of life.

Craig, one of the nation's leading Christian apologists, has debated many atheists on the rationality of faith and the existence of God including Sam Harris, Bart Ehrman and Richard Taylor. His upcoming United Kingdom tour has evidently intimidated Richard Dawkins as he has continually refused to debate Craig when he visits his home turf this October.

Recently, Polly Toynbee, president of the British Humanist Association, also pulled out of a scheduled debate with Craig on the existence of God. A war of words has broken out between Dawkins and his critics, who see his refusal to take on the American academic as a sign that he may be losing his nerve.

Famous atheist Sam Harris once described Craig as "the one Christian apologist who has put the fear of God into many of my fellow atheists."

Dawkins' refusal to debate Craig has become an international issue, and attendees at Southern Evangelical Seminary's Conference will have a chance to hear from him firsthand about his tour to the UK, this recent story and his debates with other atheists.

Southern Evangelical Seminary is a leader in Christian Apologetics, helping Christians to defend their faith intelligently and rationally -- both in and out of the workplace. The Seminary is preparing for its annual conference called "Why Christianity?" on how faith is an integral part of all of life.

Speakers at the conference include such apologetic heavyweights as William Lane Craig, William Dembski, and Josh McDowell, as well as numerous scholars and teachers such as Frank Turek, Gary Habermas, Mike Licona, Richard Howe, Greg Koukl and more.

A dedicated youth track is also a part of this year's conference, which is focused on teaching younger attendees how to defend their faith at school, with friends, and in all areas of life.

Early-bird registration ends this week, with special student rates.

For more information, visit www.ses.edu or call (800) 77-TRUTH.