Homosexual activists and leftists are blasting a decision by New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, whose pro-life Super Bowl ad drew widespread attention in 2010, to speak at a Wildfire Weekend conference at Liberty University.
"The university has hosted multiple anti-gay conferences and their law school is being sued over its alleged role in helping Lisa Miller disobey a court order and kidnap her daughter to Central America in order to avoid transferring custody to the girl's other mother, her former partner," lamented Brian Tashman at RightWingWatch.
"He seems to have few qualms about speaking before the anti-gay/anti-Catholic/anti-Muslim Liberty University, the home of Jerry Falwell," added Bridgette P. LaVictoire at LezGetReal.
Liberty explains the sold-out weekend conference also features Willie Robertson, John Smoltz, Joe White, Tim Clinton and others. It's described as a weekend "where men, life, God and the great outdoors come together."
Liberty University is the largest private non-profit university in the nation, the largest university in Virginia, and the largest Christian university in the world.
The speaking engagement comes only days after Tebow, who routinely had Bible verses on the anti-reflective black smudges beneath his eyes during his college football career, canceled an appearance at a large Baptist church in Dallas whose pastor has preached the biblical condemnation of homosexuality.
Tebow had tweeted that he canceled the April 28 schedule at First Baptist over "new information" that he'd learned.
There, Pastor Robert Jeffress, said Tebow was "wimping" out of his appearance.
According to a Christ Culture News headline, the online postings were an attempt by "Ignorant voices" to "bully NFL quarterback with more 'anti-gay' attacks."
"Members of the media are already churning out more ignorant copy, apparently hoping to pressure Tebow once again to remain quiet," the blog said.
WDBJ Television quoted from the conference announcement that 10,000 guys are expected at the conference.
"Tebow will be sharing his personal testimony of faith on Friday evening at the conference. Tim Tebow won two college football national championships at the University of Florida, was a first-round selection in the 2010 NFL draft, and led the Denver Broncos to the 2011 NFL Playoffs for the first time in six years. He lives a life that consistently reflects his values and founded the Tim Tebow Foundation™, which partners with CURE International to build hospitals in the Philippines. Tim was also named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2012."
But Right Wing Watch said, "If Jeffress' anti-gay remarks were too extreme for Tebow, they pale in comparison to the things regularly said by representatives of Liberty University."
The article accused Liberty officials of defending the criminalization of homosexuality and warning that Obama supports "forced homosexuality."