Church won't hold funeral for gay man

The Dallas Morning News ^ | August 9 2007 | JEFFREY WEISS

[WackySam]

Seems to me the only times you'll find homosexuals in church is when they get "married" or when they die.

Or when their preaching to the choir.

[Kaylee Frye]

I thank you for your service to our country and am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for taking the time to fully explain the situation. I am very sorry you’ve been treated this way. May you have comfort in your time of loss.

[knittnmom]

Article was also posted in the WaPo. Since, our same-name, different state church has been getting some virulent hate mail.

[TheBattman]

And for the yet unreported "rest of the story":

The church had initially agreed to the service because the deceased was the brother of a church employee. However after the church discovered the man was a homosexual and that the memorial service would celebrate the homosexual lifestyle with suggestive photos and music from an openly gay men's chorus, the church's pastor, Gary Simons, withdrew the offer to host the event in the sanctuary. The church secured another location, and catered lunch, at the church's expense, that would meet the needs of the family and not subject their sanctuary to being used to celebrate homosexuality.

As Pastor Simons told his congregation this past Sunday, "This decision was not based on hate or discrimination but upon principle and policy. We cannot glorify homosexuality as a lifestyle." Unfortunately, reporters who are sympathetic to the homosexual agenda refuse to see the incident for what it is--an exercise in religious freedom. Churches and clergy have every right to refuse their services or property for activities that violate their religious beliefs. However, as Pastor Simons would say, that doesn't mean he or his congregation have any less compassion for the man's family. It simply means they refuse to honor a lifestyle that is sinful in God's eyes.