Frank Turek speaking on campus sparks concern from LGBT group

The presence of an anti-gay religious activist speaking on campus today has sparked apprehension among members of Gamma Sigma Kappa (Gay Straight Kats).

Christian author and public speaker Frank Turek, Ph.D., will be giving a free seminar called "I Don’t have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist" from 7 to 9 p.m. today in either the Olson Auditorium of Academic Building IV or the LSC Theatre.

Turek has written the book Correct, Not Politically Correct: How Same-Sex Marriage Hurts Everyone and coauthored I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist and Legislating Morality with Norman L. Geisler.

That Turek is so actively involved in anti-gay media has members of GSK concerned and uneasy.

"We accept people from all religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds," Brad McFarland, GSK officer, said. "As an organization that is so inclusive, we find that many of our members come searching for answers to questions about the conflicting ideas on Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender rights. We believe that everyone should have the right to marry the one they love regardless of sexual orientation, and therefore we are disappointed to have such a large opponent of LGBT rights speaking on campus."

Turek’s views on the attitudes of the LGBT community and GSK differ extremely from those proclaimed by the organizations.

"…The most intolerant folks are often those who say they are fighting for tolerance," Turek wrote in Correct, Not Politically Correct: How Same-Sex Marriage Hurts Everyone.

"We would like all students to know that if you want to learn more about the LGBT community or are in need of a safe haven that they are always welcome and should feel welcome at GSK," McFarland said.

Turek’s seminar will cover the topics that stem from the following questions: does truth exist, does God exist, are miracles possible and is the New Testament true. It was not clear from the announcement whether sexuality would be discussed at the seminar.

The seminar is sponsored by SHSU’s Ratio Christi, the Fellowship of Huntsville Church and the Faith Lutheran Church of Huntsville.

According to RatioChristi.org, "Ratio Christi is a Student Apologetics Alliance that seeks to encourage and strengthen the faith of Christian students at secular and liberal institutions across the country, while also sharing Christ’s message and love to those that have yet to receive it, through the use of intellectual investigation and apologetics." Apologetics is a branch of Christianity that deals with the defense and establishment of the Christian faith.

Turek is the founder and president of CrossExamined.org, he has a weekly TV program and hosts a weekly radio show that airs on 144 U.S. stations.

Contacts from Turek did not respond to emails from the Houstonian for comment. A Ratio Christi member referred the Houstonian to Turek’s media contact for comment.