Human Rights, Families, and the Sexualization of Culture

Do human rights offer children and their families protections they need in a culture of liberty and sexual autonomy?  Or do those rights push children and their families toward commodification?  These are some of the questions to be addressed at Regent University's Center for Global Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law's Fourth Annual Symposium, "Human Rights and the Sexualization of Culture."  It will explore the growing desensitization of sexual autonomy brought about largely in today's legal climate of sexual liberty, particularly regarding sex as a business and how that effects the way our culture tends to deconstruct families and treat children as property.

The Symposium, which is largely free and open to the public, has open registration here, where you can see more of the details of the event as well.  Administrative Director for the Center, Ernie Walton noted, "This symposium is important, because it calls forth discussion of topics that are at the forefront of culture but that many Christians are unwilling to talk about.  As Christians, we must be leaders in talking about difficult issues, bringing Christ and His truth to bear on all things."
The symposium will comprise three panels: the foundation of human rights, sex as business, and children as property. Several subject-matter experts will preside over the panels, including James Dwyer of William & Mary Law School, Arina Grossu, director of the Center for Human Dignity of the Family Research Council, and Naomi Cahn of George Washington Law School, all of whom I will join in discussing whether trends toward adult sexual autonomy have forced the law to move toward treating children more like property than persons.  If you are interested in being prepared in advance read "Tracing the Foundations of the Best Interests of the Child Standard in American Jurisprudence" available at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1957143 to see how the law is required to treat children.

 

Other panels will feature Laila Mickelwait, manager of policy and public affairs for Exodus Cry; Scott Alleman, assistant Commonwealth's attorney; and Jeff Ventrella, senior counsel/senior vice-president of Strategic Training Alliance Defending Freedom. Benjamin Nolot, founder and president of Exodus Cry, will share his perspective on human rights and the sexualization of culture during a special banquet event at the Founders Inn and Spa following the Symposium. This event will make an impact on your life by informing you on the issues of the day regarding the sexualization of culture and its effect on the family. 

Come and find out why law is more than a profession - it's a calling.