Family: Church Cancelled Funeral After Learning Man Was Gay

[tod evans]

From Drudge;





Family: Church Cancelled Funeral After Learning Man Was Gay

http://tampa.cbslocal.com/2014/08/08...g-man-was-gay/

The family of a gay man says a Tampa church abruptly canceled his funeral service after learning about his sexual orientation.
Julie Atwood told WFLA-TV the pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church called her the day before her son’s funeral, during the actual wake, to say it could not be held at the church because it would be “blasphemous.”
“It was devastating,” she said. “I did feel like he was being denied the dignity of death.”
Atwood said she has family ties to New Hope and also needed the large space to accommodate the hundreds of expected mourners for Julion Evans.
He died at age 42 after battling Amyloidosis for 4 years. His husband, Kendall Capers, says they were partners for 17 years and got married last year in Maryland.
“Everyone who knew us knew about our relationship,” he said. “We didn’t keep secrets.”
The service had been scheduled for July 26th.
T.W. Jenkins, pastor at New Hope told WFLA-TV that he did not know Evans was gay until members of his congregation saw the obituary and called to complain.
“Based on our preaching of the scripture, we would have been in error to allow the service in our church,” Jenkins said. “I’m not trying to condemn anyone’s lifestyle, but at the same time, I am a man of God, and I have to stand up for my principles.”
Capers told WTVT-TV the pastor was wrong to cancel with barely any notice.
“If you agree to something, three and four days later, agree to it and stick to your plan, don’t change at the last minute because your church constituents are calling you, or the church members are calling you to complain. Stand your ground, he said”
The family was able to make alternate arrangements at the last minute, but not all the guests were informed of the changes and some only found out about the cancellation when they showed up at New Hope for the funeral.
“I know there are other people that are probably going to be in the same shoes Julion and I were in. I feel like it’s a wrong doing, and nobody should be in those shoes,” said Capers.

[MelissaWV]

“If you agree to something, three and four days later, agree to it and stick to your plan, don’t change at the last minute because your church constituents are calling you, or the church members are calling you to complain. Stand your ground, he said”

That is the bottom line. You can refuse service to people up front, but unless the church had this all as an obvious policy when the arrangements were made, they are in the wrong. They agreed to the service, then backed out at the last minute. Not cute.

[RonPaulIsGreat]

Ummmm, yeah, I don't know, but whoever chose the word **** to put in a title about a dead man and his family having problems getting him buried, is an ass.

[LibertyEagle]

Ummmm, yeah, I don't know, but whoever chose the word **** to put in a title about a dead man and his family having problems getting him buried, is an ass.

That's what the article is about. Is this a political-correctness issue with you? If he had said "gay" or "homosexual", would you have gotten so upset?

[tod evans]

Ummmm, yeah, I don't know, but whoever chose the word **** to put in a title about a dead man and his family having problems getting him buried, is an ass.

Butt hurt are you?

[asurfaholic]

The church did NOT handle this in a loving compassionate manner. They did NOT represent a God of love, and should be ashamed of themselves.

I hope they get sued and lose.

[RonPaulIsGreat]

That's what the article is about. Is this a political-correctness issue with you? If he had said "gay" or "homosexual", would you have gotten so upset?

It doesn't upset me to point out when someone is being an ass. Political Correctness has nothing to do with this, you obviously are confused.

Let's say the local whore dies, and they are having a funeral, and I see it, I could go over there and say "It's a shame that dirty whore died, she gave such great blow jobs". Obviously, you wouldn't do that, well I'm assuming you'd see that would be ill advised. It's true she was a whore, and the statement would be factual, but you know and I know the only reason to do that is to be hurtful for no good reason other than sadism.

So, essentially the use of **** is just meant to belittle the dead guy, I'd like the OP to go say that to the mourners then I'll at least accept he's not a coward attacking the dead over the internet for no good reason.

And don't pretend the word **** isn't derogatory.

Not dissing dead strangers over the internet, is now political correctness. LOL.

[tod evans]

It doesn't upset me to point out when someone is being an ass. Political Correctness has nothing to do with this, you obviously are confused.

Let's say the local whore dies, and they are having a funeral, and I see it, I could go over there and say "It's a shame that dirty whore died, she gave such great blow jobs". Obviously, you wouldn't do that, well I'm assuming you'd see that would be ill advised. It's true she was a whore, and the statement would be factual, but you know and I know the only reason to do that is to be hurtful for no good reason other than sadism.

So, essentially the use of **** is just meant to belittle the dead guy, I'd like the OP to go say that to the mourners then I'll at least accept he's not a coward attacking the dead over the internet for no good reason.

And don't pretend the word **** isn't derogatory.

Not dissing dead strangers over the internet, is now political correctness. LOL.

Have no doubt I call a spade a spade face to face.

I'm in no way some politically correct mamby-pamby mealy mouth who actually cares what others think of me.

I may be rude, crude and socially unacceptable but no one ever has to wonder where they stand with me.

If you find my verbiage offensive that's your problem, get your head out of your own ass and try living in the real world.

Nobody gets "respect" from me because of their sexual orientation, race or religion.

As for "****" being derogatory, that's your opinion. In my world it's an accurate description of not only the cadaver but the predicate issue of the article....

[Southron]

Maybe the church has a policy of not doing funerals for unrepentant sinners? I can see how the pastor would have a hard time doing such a funeral. It's bad that he gave such short notice but it's possible he did not know the man was a homosexual. If so, someone should have brought this to his attention much sooner.

There is no reason to bring dirty lawyers into the mix though.

[LibertyEagle]

FWIW, I don't agree with what the pastor did here. It would have been one thing to deny it when it was first scheduled; it's quite another to cancel it so close to the funeral.

[Voluntarist]

xxxxx

[tod evans]

Knowing Southern Baptists as I do (the Ozarks is smack-dab in the middle of the Bible belt) it's pretty safe to state that few, if any, of their congregations would permit a homosexual service of any sort.

Which leads me to question if there wasn't some deceit on the part of the family when entering into the alleged contract...

[pcosmar]

FWIW, I don't agree with what the pastor did here. It would have been one thing to deny it when it was first scheduled; it's quite another to cancel it so close to the funeral.

I am wondering why they would seek to have the funeral in a church.
Funeral homes can conduct funerals on site,, or at the cemetery.

This sounds like it was done as a political stunt to start with.

BTW,, other Churches will refuse funeral services for several reasons,, homosexuality being just one of them.

[Voluntarist]

xxxxx

[Voluntarist]

xxxxx

[tod evans]

I'm sure Tod must have been referring to the "****" genus of hominids that includes modern humans (H. sapiens) - while also creatively implying the dead man sameness (from the Greek base that the word is derived from) with the rest of humanity; because using “Homo” in the sexual orientation sense is roughly equivalent to saying, “Deadbeat’s family mad at Baptist Church” if he had been denied a funeral because he was behind in child support payments ... or “Dago’s family” or “Slope’s family” or ******'s family, etc.
... and in any of those latter derogatory cases I would agree that RonPaulIsGreat's observation would apply.

In my youthful days there were a plethora of terms used to describe ***** in a derogatory sense, "****" was short to denote homosexual and hasn't been considered derogatory by the ***** I know. Then again what with all the social programming foisted on the public today **** could very well be as vile an expression as "Indian" or "Redskin"...

Honestly I don't care...

If I'd intended to be offensive my vocabulary is extensive enough I would have used verbiage blunt enough to leave no doubt...

[LibertyEagle]

What's wrong with the term, Indian? I have a lot of Indian blood in me and it has always been fine with me. But then again, I'm not politically-correct.

[tod evans]

What's wrong with the term, Indian? I have a lot of Indian blood in me and it has always been fine with me. But then again, I'm not politically-correct.

There was a thread or two back aways where someone was whining about it....

[LibertyEagle]

I am wondering why they would seek to have the funeral in a church.
Funeral homes can conduct funerals on site,, or at the cemetery.

This sounds like it was done as a political stunt to start with.

BTW,, other Churches will refuse funeral services for several reasons,, homosexuality being just one of them.

Maybe. But gays go to church too.

[tod evans]

Maybe. But gays go to church too.

I haven't set foot into a Southern Baptist church in decades but I can assure you there were no ***** there when I did...

Hell those folks would chastise me for wearing bell-bottoms and having long hair....

[nobody's_hero]

Maybe the church has a policy of not doing funerals for unrepentant sinners? I can see how the pastor would have a hard time doing such a funeral.

That's what I was thinking but I didn't know how exactly to phrase it. The family probably wants acceptance, but they will settle for the illusion of acceptance.

I mean, it's probably for the best. Would you want your loved one's last rites to be performed by someone who is basically uncomfortable with the general situation? Would the preacher be just a bit on the dishonest side if he's wishing someone off to a happy afterlife while at the same time he's thinking, under his breath, 'this guy is going to hell!'

To those who don't take much stock in religious beliefs (I'm not particularly devout myself), it might seem like not a big deal, but I'm trying to see it through the preacher's eyes and yeah, it's for the best that they cancelled this funeral, IMO.

[donnay]

I haven't set foot into a Southern Baptist church in decades but I can assure you there were no ***** there when I did...

Hell those folks would chastise me for wearing bell-bottoms and having long hair....

Yes indeed. My parents both smoked--neither went to church. I attended this church because my friend asked me to go. Before church started, one day, the minister walked past me and literally accused me of smoking. It was like a scene from the Invasion of the Body Snatchers--seriously. He embarrassed me in front a lot of people I knew, and told me that my parents were wrong and should stop immediately. It's a good thing I never told my father, he would have paid this preacherman a visit and set him straight. Oh and he had three daughters, all of which, smoked, drank, and went clubbing. Gee, I wonder what pushed them to do all those sinful things?

[tod evans]

Yes indeed. My parents both smoked--neither went to church. I attended this church because my friend asked me to go. Before church started, one day, the minister walked past me and literally accused me of smoking. It was like a scene from the Invasion of the Body Snatchers--seriously. He embarrassed me in front a lot of people I knew, and told me that my parents were wrong and should stop immediately. It's a good thing I never told my father, he would have paid this preacherman a visit and set him straight. Oh and he had three daughters, all of which, smoked, drank, and went clubbing. Gee, I wonder what pushed them to do all those sinful things?

As a kid I'd travel into the closest town on the weekends with friends, car trunk full of beer, assorted illegal substances in our britches in order to pick up the loose women from the Baptist Bible University....Good times!

I really feel sorry for the kids today.....

[pcosmar]

Maybe. But gays go to church too.

Then they should have made arrangements with a Gay Church.

As it is,, they were against the wishes of the deceased.

http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local...-gay/13799269/

A grieving Tampa man says he should have stuck with his spouse's last wish, which was to have his service at a funeral home,

[orenbus]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/****

****
noun, plural *****. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.
a contemptuous term used to refer to a homosexual, especially a male homosexual.

[LibertyEagle]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/****

Political-correctness will be the downfall of us all.

[presence]

In my youthful days there were a plethora of terms used to describe ***** in a derogatory sense, "****" was short to denote homosexual and hasn't been considered derogatory by the ***** I know. Then again what with all the social programming foisted on the public today **** could very well be as vile an expression as "Indian" or "Redskin"...

Honestly I don't care...

If I'd intended to be offensive my vocabulary is extensive enough I would have used verbiage blunt enough to leave no doubt...

In my area... they're tearing down all the "handicapped parking" signs. They're forcing business to upgrade to "accessable" to be more PC.

[William Tell]

The church did NOT handle this in a loving compassionate manner. They did NOT represent a God of love, and should be ashamed of themselves.

I hope they get sued and lose.

Sued for what? offending you?

[Origanalist]

Then they should have made arrangements with a Gay Church.

As it is,, they were against the wishes of the deceased.

http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local...-gay/13799269/

I have to wonder what reason he had for not having the service at the funeral home. That seems disrespectful to me.

[JK/SEA]

Ummmm, yeah, I don't know, but whoever chose the word **** to put in a title about a dead man and his family having problems getting him buried, is an ass.

ummm...relax..its just what SOCONS like to do...labels help in describing certain groups...