7B
RELIGIONAI^t C)arlotte $at
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
\
Gay rights panel rejects Baptist stance on homosexuality
Continued from page 8B
love and forgiveness and
healing,” said the Rev David
Horton, president of Gate
City Baptist Church in
Greensboro and the outgoing
state convention presid^t.
Ilie vote was not unani
mous. Some delegates
opposed the idea because
they felt it showed a lack of
respect for Baptist heritage,
which values the autonomy of
local churches, while others
fdt the decision focused too
much attention on the issue.
“Could it be that homosexu
ality gains our attention pri
marily because it’s not ‘our’
sin?” said Rob Helton, a dele
gate from Cherry Point Bap
tist Church in Havelock. “If
we write a policy (on homo
sexuality), it seems only fair
and right that we write a pol
icy on every sin in the Bible.”
The Rev. Stanley “Stan”
James Welch, pastor of
Blackwelder Park Baptist
Churdi in Kaimapolis and
the convention’s newly elect
ed president, said homosexu
ality has gotten
Baptists’ attention because
of its visible role in American
culture.
“Everything in our culture
has pushed it to tlie foi'e-
fiunt,” he said, “I tliink it
came out in the culture, and
we have to deal witli it."
Nonbelievers find a voice for what they believe; or don’t believe
By Stephanie Innes
AROZONA DAILY STAR
TUCSON, Ariz,-Weary of
feeling silenced by a culture
dominated by organized faith,
nonbelievers in southern Ari
zona—and across the COim-
try—are coming out.
Atheists, agnostics and oth-
ers who fall outside main
stream religion are forming
their own oiganizations —a
move coimterintuitive to
some in a group of individuals
accustomed to the periphery
But nonbdievers both locally
and nationally say it’s time
join together, step up and get
some respect.
‘1 hear people wonder how
atheists can be moral. I just
think things are getting really
ridiculous,” said 26-year-old
Mary Adde, a University of
Arizona graduate student
and atheist who is part of a
new campus dub for nonbe
lievers.
In addition to the UA dub, a
local chapter of the interna
tional Center for Inquiry - a
support and education group
for nonreligious people—
formed earlier this year, and
‘Narnia’ film screened
at conservative ministry
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLORADO SPRINGS,
Colo. — About 700 people
turned out at the Focus on
the Family campus Thursday
for a sneak preview of the
new movie “The Chronides of
Narnia: The Lion, the VWtch
and the Wardrobe.”
The dosed screening of a
10-minute extended trailer at
the conservative Christian
ministry’s complex induded
many pastors and church
staffers who plan to organize
events around the film in
their churches. The movie is
based on C.S. Lewis’ fantasy
novel “The Lion, the VWtch
and the Wardrobe.”
The story, published in
1950, follows four siblings —
Peter, Susan, Edmimd and
Lucy —sent to live in an old
country house to escape the
Please see NARNIA/6B
BIBLE LESSON
Leaving for last time
Continued from page 8B
proved he was a fiery evangelist who was willing to defaid the
faith at all costs. This time, the pastoral side of Paul ^neiged as
he prepared the leaders of the flock at Ephesus to walk in their
needs of the growing congregation
Lesson Setting:
Saying good bye seldom i^ pleasant, whether due to death or
anoth^ expected or unforseen event, the changes the absence
will cause can be major. Paul had to say good-bye to some
fiiends and colleagues as he continued the path God set before
him. Paul was leaving Ephesus to Jerusalem.
Friendship Baptist Church
221 W. Bradley Ave., Gastonia, NC 28052
704-865-9016 • Fax: 704-865-9057
Website: www.friendshipgastonia.org
- Schedule of Services -
Early Flow Worship 8:00am
Church School ^ 9;30am
Spirit Flows Celebration ..10:45am
Wednesday Bible Studis Seniors..10:00am
12 Noon and 6:30 pm
Wednesday Intercessory Prayer. 6*6:30 pm
Spirit Flows Radio Broadcact.WGAS & WOGR
1540 AM, - Wednesdays at 9:30am
WLTC & WGOS 1350 AM Saturdays at 9:30 am
Pastor John A McCullough, Jr.
& Rev. Dekota G. McCullough
FRIENDSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
“Imparting Christian values into children to enable them to
grow academically and spiritually.”
Accepting children ages: 6 weeks - 3rd Grade
ABelia Curriculum • Spanish & Music Classes
• Computer Learning Center
Rev. Dekota Grier McCullough, Principal
npc
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 764-865-9016
Rev. John A. McCullough, Jr., Senior Pastor
r RINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
“Telline and Living the Good News of Jesus Christ”
- Outreach & Nunure Ministries For All Apes -
Spirit-led Sunday Worship: Ham
Sunday School: 9:30am
Wed. Prayer. Praise & Bible Study: 7pm
Radio Ministry: Sun. 2:45pm, REJOICE 1370 AM
- Rev. Quentin G. Poulson, Pastor -
300! Beatties Fd. Rd., Charlotte. NC 28216-3731
Phone: 704-392-6098 • E-mail: POPAX@beilsouth.
Website: www.LuiheranOutreach.org/Prince of Peace,
Word Of Faith West
Pastor, Rev. Samuel Guthrie, Jr.
2300 Sanders Ave.
Charlotte, NC • 704-358-1709
A Churdi that cares
ftM* your soul 2 Chron. 7:14
Adults & Children s Sunday School: 9:45am
Sunday Services: 11:00am
Wed. Bible Study/PrayCT: 7:00pm
4th Saturday Youth Group at 2KM)pm
Senior Pastor,
Rev. & Mrs.
Samuel Guthrie, Jr.
members already are spon
soring local movies and
debates and writing letters to
Congress. IVicson Atheists
became an official chapter of
the national American Athe
ists Inc. in March, and also
plans more local visibility
“It is a way for nonbelievers
to come together and not fe^
so isolated. I’m an atheist,
and I’m proud of it,” Tticson
Atheists spokeswoman Dr.
Jasmine En^and said. “A lot
of people think atheism is
negative and anti-religion.
The reality is that church and
state should be sepai*ate, and
in a fi*ee society everyone
should be fi^ to choose what
they believe and don’t believe.
Even some religious pieople
are against intermixing
church and state.”
Outside southern Arizona,
Hartford Seminary in (Con
necticut on Nov. 2 officially
opened its Institute for the
Study of Secularism in Society
and (Culture with a mission of
increasing undemtanding of
the contemporary significance
of secular values.
And Lori Lipman Brown, a
lawyer, atheist and former
Nevada state senator, began
working in September as
executive director for the Sec
ular Coalition for America in
Washington, D.C., a lobbying
group with goals of keeping
religion out of govermnent
and winning respect for non
religious Americans,
“We want to change the
national conversation—to
make it unacceptable to make
us invisible,” Lipman Brown
wrote in an e-mail. “State
ments claiming that we are all
(jod-fearing Americans, or
that there are no atheists in
foxholes, are both inaccurate
and point out how often we
are left out. We want to stop
the denigration of atheists in
Trinity Park Baptist Church
“The Church where Praver is Essential and
Application is the Key:'
We are doers of the Word and not hearers only.
Revelation based on James 1:22
9115 Trinity Rd., Charlotte, NC 28216
704.393.0130
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship 11:00 AM
Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 PM
Rev. Eric R. Miller,
Pastor
“The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord” - Exodus 20:10
Northeast SDA Church
827 Tom Hunter Rd. • RO. Box 560647 i
Charlotte, NC 28256 I
(704)394-5615 Office • (704)596-9767 Fax
Frank L. Harrell, Sr. - Pastor
Sabbath School 9:15a.m.
Sabbath Service 11:00a.m.
Wed. Prayer Service 7:00p.m.
ill
tElje €l)arlottt ^osit
CHURCH DIRECTORY
AME • AME ZION
Greater Bethel AME Church G)Bte(M«nimeA^ZGnC>iJti
201 Grsrxtn Road 531 Campus Street
Or Walter V HoMerd, Jr Rev Calvin L MIer
(704)376-045 (704)3^-3600
Greenvile Memorial
AME Zion Church
6116 Montielh Dr.
Dr. Sheldon R Shipman
(704)596-4742
Weeping WlowAME Zion Church
2220 MKon Road
Pastor ^^rdel Herxlereon
(704)532-6125
BAPTIST
Rra Baptat Ouch - West
1601 Oaklavvn Avenue
DrRk*yAWx>d6
(704)372-1075
GaHee Baptiel ChuRh
233 Shady Lane
Rev F, A GiitSn
(704)3330610
Ma:edor«a Baptet Church
300 Hatleras Av«nue
Or JohnH tAWker
(704)362-8466
FnendEhp Baptist Cluch
221 W Bradtoy Avenue
Pastor John A MiAiough
(704)6666016
Mt Carmal Baptist Church
3201 Tuckaeeegee Road
Rev. Or. Caeey R Kimbrough
(704)364-3525
Reeder Memorial BapWt Church
3725 BeaOee Ford Road
Or Don Stager
(704)366-2914
Mayfeld Memorial Baptat ChuRh
700 Si4jar Creek Ro^
(704)566-7936
St. Luke Msoonary Baptst Chiich
1600 Nome Averue
Rev Ciflord Mahewe. Jr.
(704)3766650
Pleasant HI Baptat Church
517 Baldwin Avenue
Rev JA CuVtienson
(704)3761201
Silver Mcxrt Bapiet Church
501 W ArroMood Road
Dr LincokiC Lee
(704)522-1528
Greater Providence Bapket C;hurch
2000 AMon Road
Dr. Fred GAieon
(704)532-6228
St Paul Baptet Ctuch
1401 Norti Alen Sleet
Paetor Gregory K. Moee, &
(704)334-5306
Unvereity Park BapAat Chuch
6029 Beattee Ford Road
Rev Dr Claude R Alexander
(704)362-1681
First M Zkm BapWt Chuch
1515 RemourY Road
Dr C. VOvene
(704)332-6335
Rev. EhcR Mrfter
(704)3630130
CME
SEVENTH DAY
Parkwood inetilulonal CME Church
8021bm Hnter Road
Rev RodenckO Lews. Sr
(704)921-4615
Nodl«astSDAChinh
827 Tom Hrter Road
Pastor, Frank L Henel, Sr
(704)364-5615
EPISCOPAL
St Mchiaei ane AJ Angels Eptaxpal Church
4228 hiCMS Road
R«v Wendel PMpt
(704)3690151
No Waite Mnrstn
3700 Freedom Dr
Btehop Steve L Cadton
(704)362-5100
LUTHERAN
Abundant Ute'Tabernacle
725 VWeydale Road
BiahopTL. Gterm
(704)394-8274
Pmce ol Peace LuOieran Chuch
3001 Beadee Ford Road
Rev QuenlnQ Rxteon
(704)31
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Gods Meeing Place Wvd ol Fati - West
4100 (SaianlLn/Steel Creek Bern 2300 Sanders Avenue
Ftev. Chertee W Retd
(704)825-4017
Rev Sarruel GrjTne, Jr
(704)368-1709
Giecaer Salem (>uch
5318 Salem Chuch Road
Dr Anhony L Jhwight
(704)3696448
Greater Salem at he Lake
ConeiuB Qemertary School
21126 C^awbe Atwnue
Pastor HemeiwteMn;^
(704)3696448
New Brti Chnelan FeioMhp
Cochrane Mddte School
6400 Star Haven Dme
Paetar Onetepher Name
(704)531-1291
Shepherds Fold Chuch
5101 Naiore Ford Road
Rev David Slacihouee
UNITED METHODIST
SirrpaorvQieepte LhSad MehoiM Chuch
3645 Beades Ford Road
Rev YbIterPeguee
(704)388-2717
the United States, and to dis
pel the myth tliat we are less
moral tlian theists.”
Some of the issues Lipman
Blown already has weiglied
in on include opposing tlie
federal govenmient’s reim-
biu'sement of churches that
helped survivors of Hunicane
Katrina and endorsing the
i;enioval of “under God”fiom
the Pledge of Allegiance, say
ing it is a harsh intrusion into
the parental and student
rights of nonbelievers.
“Groups that are sort of sec
ular or atheist have been
emboldened by the religious
right and want to counter a
lot of what they consider to be
the effectiveness of the reli
gious right,” said Derek
Davis, director of the J.M.
Dawson Institute of Church-
State Studies at Bajdor Uni
versity in Waco, Tbxas.
‘We are living in a day when
it’s becoming increasingly
acceptable to let your anti-
religious sentiments be
known. You can compai*e it to
the homosexuals who come
out, like the basketball player
Shei*jd Swoopes just did. Peo
ple are now more willing to
come out and sayYes, I’m an
atheist.”’
TXicsonan Jerry Karches, a
retired physicist, is encourag
ing local nonbelievers to
speak up, Karches fears
America is becoming a tiieoc-
racy
“President Bush goes to
Jesus Christ for advice. Do
you know any other leaders
doing that in the world?”
asked Karches, an atheist
who helped found the Center
for Inquiry Conmiuuity of
Southern Arizona. “Most of us
are very concerned about the
direction this coimtry is going
Please see UNBELIEVERS/6B
H.O. Graham Metropolitan Presbyterian Church
2929 Old Steele Creek Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28208 • Phone: 704.375.2116
Sunday School: 9:45AM
Worship; ILOOAM
Bible .Study; 6;30PM Wednesday
ALLELUIA
Rev. Clarence G. Page
Senior Pastor
“Come Lei Us Worship Together”
The Friendliesi Church in the City of Charlotte”
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church
517 Baldwin Ave. •Charlotte, NC 28204
(704)376-1201 Office '{704} 376-1210 Fax
Rev. JA. C.’uthlxjrtson - Kasior
Sunday School 9:30a.m.
Praise & Worship 10:45am
Worship Service ll:(H)am
Wednesday Bible Study, 7:(M)pm
Wednesday Prayer Service., 8:00pm
First Baptist Church - West
18UI Uaklawn Ave, • Charlotte, NC 282lb
(704) 372-1075 OfTicc • (704) 372-2309 Fax
Dr. Ricky A. W(M)d.s, .Senior Minister
Early Moruing Worship 8:00a.m.
Sunday School 9:4.5a.m,
Worship Service 11 :()0a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study 7:CK)p.m.
MAKINC FIRST
THINtJS FIRSI
Worship
Missions
Discipleship
Evangelism
'me
Disc^leship, "Worship, Fellomhip, and Service
Pastor daude R. Alexander, Jr.
Iidiveriiity Park BaptUi Church
6029 Beatties Ford Rd. • Qiarlotte, NC 28216 • 704-392-U)81
The Park South
15733 Lancaster Hwy (Hwy 321) • Pinevllle, NC28l3'i • 704-9'il-W19
Sufkiay Worsfnp, 8:30am & Sutuiay ScIxrH, lO.OOam
Worship Times At
University Park Ba|)tist Church
Sunday Wersbip 7:00,9:30&Ji:30am& Ymth Cburcb, 11:30am
Women’s Bible Study, Monday 6:30pm
Men’s Bible ^udy, Monday 7:00pm
' Bible Study, Thursday 6:3t)pm
www.thqparkministries.org
Mount Carmel On The Move!
Power • Wisdom • Strength • Stability
If you are interested in on outhentic biblicol community of foith,
come experience the gift of God called Mount Carmel. Join us for
worship ot 8:00 o.m. or 10:00 o.m. services. Shore in o new
beginning for us and moke o new beginning for you. Come
experience WORSHIP THAT IS ALIVE!
7237 Tuckeseejee Roed, Charlotte/ NC 26214
Rrverertd Dr. Casey Kimbrouah/ Pastor
704.394.3525 TEL 704.392.4832 FAX
www.mcbc-nc.com