'On the Edge'
A great deal of this website is based on and draws inspiration from a 2009 in-depth report compiled by Matt Comer.
Download a .PDF copy of "On the Edge: Religious militancy in the Queen City" by clicking on the image below. This Aug. 2, 2011, print version of the original online report contains an informational preface.
'Men, it's time to go to battle'
Those were the words evangelist Lou Engle imparted to followers of Dr. Michael Brown, of the Concord, N.C.-based FIRE Church and FIRE School of Ministry, before the 2009 so-called "God Has A Better Way" rally at Pride Charlotte, the local LGBT Pride event held annually in the Queen City.
On Aug. 27, 2011, groups of protesters will descend again on Pride Charlotte. Led by Brown, the "God Has A Better Way" rally and event will attempt to "reach out" to Charlotte's LGBT community and "resist" our peaceful "agenda" and movement for equality, justice, community and inclusion. Brown will attempt to bring as many as 1,000 protesters from various anti-LGBT faith institutions from across the region; they will "either walk through or surround the event to evangelize, sing, pray, hand out water, and reach out with love to those in attendance while resisting the agenda."
Though Brown and his associates like to use a lot of "peace," "love" and "compassion" language, Brown also uses a great deal of violent, militant and inflammatory rhetoric and allegory -- dangerous language targeted at LGBT minorities that have historically been the victim of hateful and, at times, violent bigotry, discrimination and prejudice.
Dialogue? Peace? Love?
No, just hatred and a violent spirit...
Matt Comer, a local LGBT journalist, blogger and progressive/LGBT activist, has created this site to counter the hateful, mean-spirited misinformation spread by Dr. Michael Brown and his "God Has A Better Way" event. It is a "spoof," in some respects, of Brown's godhasabetterway.com. But, on a serious note, it is a true and honest attempt at dialogue, which Brown says he desires. As always, dialogue must be a two-way street, allowing for the free flow of information, opinion, perspective and testimony in both directions. Brown has his website and outreach to his followers... now the LGBT community has one of its own -- one that seeks to provide a balanced perspective on Brown's history of radical, inflammatory, violent and militant rhetoric and allegory in his so-called "battle" to "save" the souls of Charlotte's LGBT community.
Use the menu to the left to learn more about Brown, his associate Lou Engle, the "God Has A Better Way" rally and more.
Note: The material on this website and its various pages are the sole opinion of Matt Comer and are not endorsed by or affiliated with and may not represent the opinions or views of organizations or individuals with which Matt Comer may be affiliated or associated.