VET's Funeral Canceled Because He Was Gay-Church Says Homosexuality A Sin

[kpete]

Vet's Funeral Canceled Because He Was Gay
Church Says Homosexuality A Sin

ARLINGTON, Texas -- A megachurch canceled a memorial service for a Navy veteran 24 hours before it was to start because the deceased was gay.

Officials at the nondenominational High Point Church knew that Cecil Howard Sinclair was gay when they offered to host his service, said his sister, Kathleen Wright.

But after his obituary listed his life partner as one of his survivors, she said, it was called off.

"It's a slap in the face. It's like, 'Oh, we're sorry he died, but he's gay so we can't help you,"' she said Friday.

more at:
http://www.local6.com/news/13880376/detail.html

[SeattleGirl]

1. Gotta love those gay-bashing "Christians".

Jesus would be ashamed.

[indepat]

4. Yeah, wonder if these holy ones deny services for "Christians" who have "sinned" in other ways?

[jaxx]

2. This is on that church's site about the vet's service

http://www.churchunusual.com/statement.html

It makes me sick.

[pnwmom]

3. Even on their own terms, this makes no sense.

It's not like they have a policy of denying memorial services to "sinners" -- that would exclude their entire congregation.

On edit: I just went back and read the Church's statement. It appears that there may be mitigating circumstances, including some sketchy photos that the family wanted to include (a man touching another man's genitals???), and the fact that the family wanted an open mike service, where anyone could get up and say anything. Lots of churches would want more control than that.

[johnlal]

5. Like they didn't see that one coming?

Megachurch / Gay Man

Somebody must have been living under a rock for the past 20 years if they thought that a megachurch would show mercy or understanding to a gay man, regardless of his service to this country. I have been to a megachurch and been subjected to its anti-gay sermon. The anti-gay-marriage campaigns were pushed through by wealthy megachurches. Remember Justice Sunday?

Didn't they see this coming?

By the way, have you seen a picture of the Pastor that turned this veteran away? http://www.churchunusual.com/pastor.html
Former bubble-boy turned megapastor Gary Simons sports a cheesy goatee to match his cheesy grin. I wonder if he's involved in any Ted Haggard-like activities?

More about the pastor in an interesting comment posted here: http://elbourne.org/archives/2005/02/24/did-the-sbc-boot-osteen/#comment-122

[pnwmom]

7. That "meet the Pastor" page is hysterical in its own sick way.

Imagine being a child of this man. What an ego he has!

[johnlal]

8. How about this passage:

While leading worship at a youth rally in Stafford, Texas, the boy that was trapped in a sterilized room would soon discover what God had in store for him. At this rally, he met the love of his life – her name was April. They fell in love immediately and were soon married.

A youth pastor falls in love with an attendee at a youth rally. I wonder how young this "youth" was?

[pnwmom]

9. I think we should remember the name. He's destined for greatness.

Ugh.

[krispos42]

6. Well, no suprise there

Christians believe homosexuality is a sin and blight on the social fabric of the country and world. They believe this is ordained by God Himself, and as such is beyond the reach of logic.

The minster or whoever chose NOT to be flexible in this manner, and doubtless he is theologically correct.

And attitudes like this are why people are rejecting church and staying home on Sundays.