Church Nixes Memorial For Gay Veteran

Family Enraged After Texas Megachurch Cancels Funeral Services For Gulf War Navy Veteran

(AP)  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.

Wright said High Point offered to hold the service for Sinclair because their brother is a janitor there. Sinclair, who served in Desert Storm, died Monday at age 46 from an infection after surgery to prepare him for a heart transplant.

The church's pastor, the Rev. Gary Simons, said no one knew Sinclair, who was not a church member, was gay until the day before the Thursday service, when staff members putting together his video tribute saw pictures of men "engaging in clear affection, kissing and embracing."

Simons said the church believes homosexuality is a sin, and it would have appeared to endorse that lifestyle if the service had been held there.

"We did decline to host the service — not based on hatred, not based on discrimination, but based on principle," Simons told The Associated Press. "Had we known it on the day they first spoke about it, — yes, we would have declined then. It's not that we didn't love the family."

Simons said the decision had nothing to do with the obituary. He said the church offered to pay for another site for the service, made the video and provided food for more than 100 relatives and friends.

"Even though we could not condone that lifestyle, we went above and beyond for the family through many acts of love and kindness," Simons said.

Wright called the church's claim about the pictures "a bold-faced lie." She said she provided numerous family pictures of Sinclair, including some with his partner, but said none showed men kissing or hugging.

The 5,000-member High Point Church was founded in 2000 by Simons and his wife, April, whose brother is Joel Osteen, well-known pastor of the 38,000-member Lakewood Church in Houston. Now High Point meets in a 432,000-square-foot facility in Arlington, near Dallas.

Wright said relatives declined the church's offer to hold the service at a community center because they felt it was an inappropriate venue. It ultimately was held at a funeral home, but the cancellation still lingered in some minds, she said.

WOW! Now I understand the descrimination of the gay people. From now on in my life, I will support the gay people. This almost makes me never want to go to church again. I read and teach the Bible and it is an interpretation issue about what the Bible says about gay people. How sad! After reading some history, the Church people did the same thing in the 70's about interracial marriage and also in the 60's about black people. The pastors all across America said the Bible said that black people should be segragated. This really makes alot of people not want to know God. How sad!

[micma-2009]

The pastor is probably a closeted homosexual himself.

[randalds]

That's just plain sick, disgusting and, unfortunately, not surprising at all. The religious right wing are the most hypocritical group of "Christians" in the world today. If there really was a heaven and hell they'd be burning for all eternity because of intolerances like this. They have no shame.

[michellem99-2009]

He served this Nation and now ye showed yer true colours when ye would not give this vet a proper service. Where is the Christian love ye preach every Sunday, and ye judge him as ye oaught not. Did ye take this vet's money when he went to yer church. Then maybe ye best give it back to his kin since yer feel that way about him. Yer ' member the golden rule,well some allow greed where where the rule oaught be.

[cantshutup]

church's steal souls...

[randalds]

I'm waiting for a demon seed like singingrick to come here and pretend to be saddened that this young sailor died before coming to HIS version of christianity and being "saved" from being himself. I'm glad I have had the chance to be one of the early posters in this comment section so I can tell the family that other vets like myself are very proud of their loved one's service and very sorry for their loss. All of us have been where you're at right now and our thoughts are with you.

To Cecil, rest in peace bro, rest in peace.

That said, whatever you do, please don't let the hatred of religious bigots get to you. They may say some of the right words, but they prove they are not christian by their actions and their prejudices.

[l8c6]

This really makes alot of people not want to know God. How sad!
Posted by booder11

It makes me not want to know preachers and their swindling ways of exploiting the ugly side of humans.

[gmond]

This isn't a matter of hate or discrimination or principles, it is a matter of willful ignorance and fearful hypocrisy

[cozzicon]

Actually- the most Christian thing they could have done was actually hold the service.

This doesn't shock me at all. Sad, but that is how these people are.

[thesayer]

haha! you guys are all gay. None of you teach Bible School. What's most humerous about your tirade's is that you're so transparent.

And I'm not saying this because I hate ***. I'm saying it because I know *** and I have gay friends. You all should realize that Gay Politics get in the way of you having real successes in companion legal settlements. Why you require God to sanction it is beyond me. If you left God out of it you could get what you need. A gay bill of rights.

The Sayer~

There, I said it!

[meboard]

"We did decline to host the service %u2014 not based on hatred, not based on discrimination, but based on principle," Simons told The Associated Press. "Had we known it on the day they first spoke about it, %u2014 yes, we would have declined then. It's not that we didn't love the family."

There is so much contradiction in this one statement. What a slap in the face of vets, to the family, to an employee, and to true "Christian" values. That's why I've left the "organized" church...bunch of hate filled...better-then-thows, with false values. Yours in Christ...

[gmond]

Should start a franchise - the Church of Don't Ask Don't Tell

[gmond]

I thought Jesus loved everyone.

[l8c6]

The church's pastor, the Rev. Gary Simons, said no one knew Sinclair, who was not a church member, was gay until the day before the Thursday service, when staff members putting together his video tribute saw pictures of men "engaging in clear affection, kissing and embracing."

How awful that two humans would engage in acts of affection toward one another is the dysfunctional message. My old dad now deceased from a small town witnessed two young black men holding hands in the city I live a few years back and found it a novelty, chuckled and said, "well, I guess it's a lot better than if they were shooting each other". In his loving humble simplicity his heart was closer to God than these church freaks could ever hope to be. In heaven there will be no male or female....guess they failed to read that in the bible...it is written.

[swbts0402408]

Whether you agree with their position or not, why attack the pastor? I believe we have lost the definition of descrimination and tolerance. To be tolerant I do not have to agree with your viewpoint or consider it equally valid to mine, however I must respect your right to state it. If the church allows the funeral, it risks being seen as condoning homosexuality. However, for standing firm to their convictions they are criticized. Sounds like a lose-lose situation. It seems the root problem is the fact that they consider homosexuality a sin. Because you do not agree with their viewpoint you attack. I wish you could just be a little more... tolerant of this church's viewpoint. Do they even get credit for making the video the family wanted and providing food for 100 people? Those mean, heartless people. Also, why would you ever wish that someone would burn in hell? It would be my prayer that all people come to know Christ and receive the gift of eternal life in heaven- including homosexuals.

[randalds]

I thought Jesus loved everyone.

Posted by gmond at 01:13 AM : Aug 11, 2007

Unfortunately, many who claim to be Christians have forgotten that. They seem to have forgotten that above everything else, Jesus hated hypocrisy the most.

[thesayer]

Issac and Ishmael were politicians~

There, I said it.....

[bluehart-2009]

Mr. Sinclair was gay.
From what I understand he did not attend High Point Church.
Most likely he didn't give money to that church as MichelleM99 implied. (BTW, get over the "ye" and the "yer"; makes you sound ignorant, not biblical.) Even if Mr. Sinclair did, at some time in his life ever give a penny to a church, what does that have to do with him being gay or getting a refund? When you give, does that mean you expect or feel that you are owed something in return?
People love to attack Christians and group them all together as if they all act the same way. Not true. Seems to me YOU ALL are judging the church and the pastor. Hypocrites.
If you make the choice to not believe in God or not go to church because of something someone said or done, that's YOUR decision, not someone's fault.
Rev. Simons did the right thing.

[thesayer]

Jesus loved everyone!

But the rest of us don't have to...


There, I said it...

[swbts0402408]

Why is it hypocritical for a church to say homosexuality is a sin and then hold to their convictions by not doing something that could be perceived at condoning the opposite viewpoint? Admittedly loose illustration- Would PETA allow fur to be sold at its next convention facility because a broke salesman really needed a place to set up his booth? No. I have a feeling that instead of buying him and his family a meal, they would throw paint on him.

[randalds]

Rev. Simons did the right thing.

Posted by bluehart at 01:34 AM : Aug 11, 2007

He should have done the Christian thing though. He's not a Pastor to do the right thing. Even the right thing for the church he's a Pastor at. He's a Pastor to do the Christian thing. Refusing to provide a service for a Christian that has passed away, any Christian, is not the Christian thing to do.

[bluehart-2009]

Love the sinner, hate the sin. God loves us, not always the things that we do.
I know Jesus loves Mr. Sinclair. What if Mr. Sinclair asked for forgiveness, just as the thief on the cross did, and he's in heaven right now?
swbts0402408, I totally agree with what you have to say.

Do you feel the LOVE??? Um, no... I feel the hate.

[swbts0402408]

"Refusing to provide a service for a Christian that has passed away, any Christian, is not the Christian thing to do."

I reread the article and at no point does it mention that this man was a Christian. In fact the only indication it has in that regard is the fact that it states he was NOT a member of the church. If he wasn't a Christian, then is what they did o.k.? If you were to now take the stance that the Christian thing to do is allow the service no matter what the man's faith, then should the Christian church be expected to host a memorial service for a buddist, or devout atheist?

[mdc76082]

RandalDS - you know you horn toot'n suppos'n God fear'n Christians that ya'll call yourselves need to do one little thing. Re-READ your bibles. I ain't gonna sit here and quote scripture upon scripture about man lying down with man, wasting seed, etc., but the representative of that particular church did the right thing. If they believe that scripture tells homosexuality is a sin, than so be it. You cannot beieve in something that the good book is against and call yourself a Christian. I believe there is another term for that and it's called a HYPOCRITE. You need to re-READ your bible and seek out your God before spewing your twisted beliefs upon others. You can spew the beliefs of the bible upon others. That's where people make the mistake. It's not about what "they believe is right or wrong", it's about what the bible tells us what is right and wrong.

[toie1]

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more
than standing in your garage makes you a car.

[swbts0402408]

mdc76082- As a fellow Christian, I just want to ask you to watch the tone of your responses. The Bible says speak the truth...in love. Hold to your convictions, just express them in a kinder, more reasoned way.

[toie1]

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more
than standing in your garage makes you a car.

[dsdaughtry]

God Loves Everyone* (*restrictions may apply)

[bluehart-2009]

"Refusing to provide a service for a Christian that has passed away...
Posted by RandalDS "

Don't think there was anything mentioned about Mr. Sinclair being a Christian. Just that he was gay and he had a relative that worked at the church. Does that mean Mr. Sinclair was Christian by association? Ummmm, nope.
Are there gay Christians??? You bet cha! Just like there are Christians who struggle with drugs, alcohol, and *** addiction. Not perfect, just forgiven.

[randalds]

If he wasn't a Christian, then is what they did o.k.? If you were to now take the stance that the Christian thing to do is allow the service no matter what the man's faith, then should the Christian church be expected to host a memorial service for a buddist, or devout atheist?

Posted by swbts0402408 at 01:55 AM : Aug 11, 2007

No, it's not OK. If he was a practicing Satanist the Christian thing to do would have been to provide a service! The funeral is not for the person being buried and never has been. It's for the friends and family as a way to say goodbye and if they're christians then they certainly should expect a christian church to hold a service. Besides a christian Pastor should never miss an opportunity do pray over some one's soul and to show love and tolerance of all. Remember love thine enemy? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Even bluehearts (and others) sentiment of love the sinner and hate the sin means that they should have provided the service for the sinner they supposedly love.

[swbts0402408]

There are no restrictions to God's love. His love includes giving all men the freedom to accept or reject His son Jesus. God is also Just. Therefore, he gives all men the same consequences based on their decision.

[bluehart-2009]

"Besides a Christian Pastor should never miss an opportunity do pray over some one's soul...
Posted by RandalDS"

The soul must be saved BEFORE the person dies. Too late once you're dead.

[swbts0402408]

RandalDS. I believe we are working under two different assumptions. If it was agreed that nothing promoting or condoning homosexuality would be in the service, and the pastor was allowed to boldy proclaim the gospel, then by all means host the service. However, I don't believe those terms would be accepted by the family. On the other hand, going back to my original illustration, if a person is buddist, or atheist I would expect that the family would want someone to speak supporting buddist or athiest beliefs, rather than the church's doctrine. In that case, the most loving thing the church could do is not host the service as to not allow others to be led astray be teaching they consider to be false. By the way, by today's standard Jesus would be considered very intolerant. He claimed that he was the only way to God.

[randalds]

The soul must be saved BEFORE the person dies. Too late once you're dead.

Posted by bluehart at 02:19 AM : Aug 11, 2007

I disagree. It doesn't matter. It's easy to say words over someone who was a Christian, but that's like preaching to the choir. They're already saved. It's a lot harder, but more Christian, to give a service for someone you wish you'd saved. To give a service to your enemy.

Hey look, I'm no expert and in fact I'm not even a Christian any longer. But I used to be a very devout one and everything I learned and taught, screams out that this sailor should have been given a christian funeral if it made the family feel better.

[randalds]

Posted by swbts0402408 at 02:23 AM : Aug 11, 2007

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Peace.

[michellem99-2009]

I will am a hillbilly. I talk the way I write so I am 52, I think yall is a dumb expression ya hear. And now that man, others raised their right paw and served in the armed forces to grant me the right under the constution to have my say. Yer bible teaches hate. Some body gave that fancy holi than ye church money to a service for a vet. I WOULD NOT BLAME THE SISTER IF SHE DONE WALKED OUT ON THEM AND NEVER NEVER WENT BACK. Randy ya smart putting them in their place. The chruch is a money cow.
So when I enter my place to pray To Jesus who is poor and our heart and not in the church.
Would tell jesus,Well Lord yer words aint proper/ Growing up,we never told our elders yer is english is wrong. That lass/lad must be a teacher.

[pianoman42]

Thr three synoptic gospels relate how Christ used sodomy as a yardstick for sin:
'If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.' NRSV Matthew 10, 14-15.
There are parallel versions in Mark and Luke.

[undermyboot]

Christianity: The religion of love. Not in America. Good Christians supporting American soldiers. Yeah. Right. American Christianity is just another version of the Taliban. These f*ckups are why the 2nd Amendment exists. People will need to protect themselves as these hating hypocrites try to take over the country to establish their theocratic dictatorship.

There is a special (Christian) hell for these "Christians" and their apostate "ministers". Man are they going to be surprised the first few times satan bends them over and rams that fork up their sorry azzez. I will be ROFLMAO

[xzavierbrown]

that was not right, the church should had withheld their opinions with that issue and gave the man the proper service he deserves. The church should had honored the man for his service to his country FIRST and his sexual preference LAST.

[knyghtwolf]

I had a death experience one time, not near death, but death. There was no reason for me to ever draw a breath of life again, but for some reason, I did. Many have asked me over the years what I saw, did I see Jesus? God? Satan? What I experienced was being in contact with totally pure LIFE energy, no Morgan Freeman or George Burns types, just a powerful completeness. There is a higher power, names, race, religion, education is not important. Whether you were gay, straight meant nothing. The energy of you, your life which is more like maturing energy that continues to power life, many call this reincarnation, call it what you want, but there is NOTHING when you die except the most beautiful completeness you will ever experience, like a caterpillar that becomes a butterfly, you have no desire to go back, that life is becomes an empty husk, you live on. Funerals are for the LIVING, not the dead, they could care less who remembers them or doesn't. We put that burden on ourselves. ALL life is important, its that balance that keeps us going, we sense, we learn through taste, touch, smell, feel and sight, that is what life is all about, that's why its so brief and yet so forever too. Organized religions are the ULTIMATE scams of the human spirit, it labels us to restrict us from being truly wholly in what we could truly attain simply by using fear of death, fear of the unknown. Trust your own instincts, you might just be surprised at the freedom you experience.

[boredwell]

ok, the brother was NOT a member of the megachurch. why then did his sister choose to hold services there?

[micma-2009]

I guess for some so called Christians, hate extends beyond the grave.

[micma-2009]

knyghtwolf


Thank you for your post.

[dannyttown]

Ignorance is alive and well in Arlington, Texas!!!
It's a shame that a church could not comfort a grieving family in their hour of need. They showed anything but compassion, and compassion is a cornerstone of Jesus' teachings and Christianity. Gary Simmons and the governing body of High Point Church brought shame on the church, Christianity and the City of Arlington. Those who made this reckless decision should be removed from their positions, both as church volunteers and/or as paid staff.

[luckygirl042]

Hmmmm...I wonder what their Jesus would have done in this situation. They offered, then reneged when they judged he was not what they wanted him to be. I agree that a church or any institution has the right to make decisions based on their beliefs--BUT--aren't christians supposed to believe in "Love thy neighbor as you love thyself"? Or is it only "Love thy STRAIGHT CHRISTIAN neighbor..." They say that god said "Judge not lest Ye shall be judged..." yet religions are the most judgemental institutions on the planet. It would have been a beautiful and loving thing for this church to have held the service, but sadly, they turned their backs on the way of love.

P.S knyghtwolf, I totally agree with you.

[likeitis5050]

Funerals aren't for the dead...they couldn't care less...it's for closure for the living. The church heaped punishment on this man's family for what they assumed was true of the dead man. They say they didn't punish, but public humiliation and denial of burial sure feels like punishment to his sister. Shame.

[likeitis5050]

So much for 'judge not...' and 'the greatest of these is love.' But the church must feel mighty righteous...self-righteous.

[mcvet]

ok, the brother was NOT a member of the megachurch. why then did his sister choose to hold services there?
Posted by boredwell at 05:18 AM : Aug 11, 2007
+ report abuse

Huh? Didn't you read the article? Or can you read? You knuckle draggers are beyond belief! What difference does that make? The Church agreed to have the service, the Family made all the plan's then the Church refused. I mean even a very stupid Religious Reich Freak can see that's WRONG! But whats new about the Religious Reich and actions that are WRONG. I'll give you even or better odds these low life creatures still have their Hoods and Sheets in the closet ready for the South to rise again!! They are beyond disgusting and have been a stain on this nations face for 200 years!! Sieg Heil and Amen

[mcvet]

Thr three synoptic gospels relate how Christ used sodomy as a yardstick for sin:
'If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.' NRSV Matthew 10, 14-15.
There are parallel versions in Mark and Luke.

Posted by pianoman42 at 03:29 AM : Aug 11, 2007

So? Oh I get it! Anyone who doesn't live by YOUR view of what is right doesn't deserve the respect of a proper burial! Say when does your branch of the Taliban Meet there Sparky? SIEG HEIL and AMEN!!

[meboard]

Good posts MCVet!!!