[texas booster]

I FReepmailed Paul and received his permission to ping everyone who has posted on this thread.

While most FReepers hold strong views on homosexuality, we can all recognize that he has lost a friend. Please keep this in mind as you post.

I wanted everyone who has posted on this thread to hear his side of the discussion. One of the problems that forums have is pushing through the newspaper article that we post. We all understand that they can be slanted however the writers and editors choose. This can be intentional or unintentional.

The truth of a situation is in between both sides of a story. Please feel free to link to the original article, and then read Cecil's Partners response here and below.

It is not often that small stories like this get much attention from the media. It is even less often that we get to hear from the participants. I dare say that none of the participants had any idea of the media circus this would become. As always, please read before posting.

Thanks to all for maintaining the decorum of this forum on this thread, and in welcoming the many new viewers who will read this entire thread.

[Suzy Quzy]

He belonged to NO Church.....this church has NO obligation to him....it isn't right to celebrate one's SEX life at your funeral.

ACTIONS have CONSEQUENCES.

[Tax-chick]

I hadn’t posted to this thread, but having been pinged here, I’ll just offer my sympathies to everyone involved.

[robertpaulsen]

"Some of those photos had very strong homosexual images of kissing and hugging," he (Rev. Gary Simons) said. "My ministry associates were taken aback."

Someone's lying and I don't know who. I suppose it could be the church, but they have the pictures and multiple witnesses to back them up. And, quite frankly, showing "very strong homosexual images" at a funeral sounds like something a homosexual partner would do.

Sorry. But I calls 'em as I sees 'em.

[Responsibility2nd]

We all understand that they can be slanted however the writers and editors choose....

You ain't lyin'.

Typical MSM article here - with its anti-Christian Agenda - had FReepers bashing the church from post #2.

Texas megachurch cancels vet's memorial service at last minute because he was gay

The fact he was a vet had diddly to do with anything. Even the headline is a lie.

Always remember Big Media hates Christians as you read these posts.

[Global2010]

Thanks for the ping.

Let me say it is not a homosexual issue.

I get tired of people who where banners for whatever they choose to hide the core of whom they are as human beings.

Cecil friend seems unlike this and I respect that.

[Saundra Duffy]

My husband (Freeper “Lager”) and I split on this issue. He says the Church was right to deny the family of a funeral for the gay man - maybe the church leaders know something we don’t. I say the Church could have used it as an opportunity to show love, compassion, and to offer the message of salvation to all in attendance.

I can kind of see his point . . . kind of.

Strangely enough, one time I did attend a large funeral for a young man who died of AIDS in Seattle WA. The Church was packed. The man’s mother stood up and told everyone that her son had accepted the Lord and was forgiven before he died and then a preacher preached and tried to convince everyone there to get saved. When the preacher was preaching about five people stood up and walked out. Maybe that’s what this Church was concerned about? I don’t know but I still feel sorry for the Moms.