[1]WASHINGTON (BP)–Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, and Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners, are scheduled to square off in a debate Oct. 19 as part of a second-annual Washington D.C. summit for values voters.
The two men will discuss what they believe will be the priorities of evangelical voters in the 2008 election cycle. A gathering of social conservatives, the summit — dubbed The Washington Briefing 2007: Values Voter Summit — will be held at the Washington Hilton Oct. 19-21.
“I always enjoy debating Jim Wallis,” Land said. “We’ve done it several times now, and I think that on each of those occasions people left with a greater understanding of the areas where we agree and disagree. Some in the audience are surprised to find that we both believe that religion has a rightful and important role to play in American society. I pray that our debate … will provide similar clarity and understanding.”
The summit, sponsored by Family Research Council Action, will bring together “values voters” from across the country in an effort to equip them for cultural engagement in the upcoming elections and beyond. It will include a call to action for voter participation, education and training.
Other activities during the event will be a presidential straw poll, broadcasts from radio row, breakout sessions, book signings and a gala dinner honoring Focus on the Family founder James Dobson.
Subjects addressed during the conference will include sanctity of human life, marriage, immigration reform, religious freedom, health care, radical Islam, judicial activism, geopolitics and the media.
[2]In addition to Land and Wallis, confirmed speakers include Dobson, Gary Bauer, Bill Bennett, Chuck Colson, Bishop Harry Jackson, Tony Perkins, former Sen. Rick Santorum, Phyllis Schlafly and Alan Sears. All 2008 presidential hopefuls also have been invited to speak.
Co-sponsors include Focus on the Family Action, American Values, the Alliance Defense Fund and the High Impact Leadership Coalition.
For more information on the event, including registration, visit www.frcactionwashingtonbriefing.com.
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Jill Martin is a writer for the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.