I'm Christian, and even I'm finding it tough not to sit in judgment of fellow believers:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070811/ap_on_re/gay_funeral;_ylt=AlEXIuHa.keGxmYZX0SBHsFH2ocA
2007-08-11 04:27:31 · 11 answers · asked by Wolfeblayde 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
((((((redwagon))))) -- sorry it took me awhile to read all these answers and return the hug. :-)
2007-08-11 08:00:06 · update #1
I've always thought that a funeral is for the living, to console them and bring them peace. As someone pointed out, *if* this is a reasonably unbiased report, then I can only imagine the pain the family is in.
2007-08-11 08:01:41 · update #2
Everyone that church holds a funeral service for is a sinner, we all are sinners... whether homosexual or not.
If they are going to decline having funerals for people who are sinners, then a funeral will never take place in their church.
When are people going to wake up and realize that God is the one who will judge, and our job is to show the same love and respect to all? No matter what sins are specific to our lives, we aren't better than anyone else. Whether you are a practicing homosexual, an adulterer, a liar, a prostitute, etc.. we are all equal. I can't throw a single stone at anyone, for I am not perfect.
But when it comes my time to die, my church will give me a funeral Mass, not call me a sinner and send me to the community center down the street.
What are these people thinking???
2007-08-11 05:37:09 · answer #1 · answered by The Raven † 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Anyone at a Catholic funeral who wants to eulogize the dead, the Vigil or, especially, the after-burial gathering are the times to do it; eulogies are not permitted at the traditional Requiem Mass.
This seems to enrage many people because it's a very common thing in Protestant, secular America, and is, sadly, common at Novus Ordo Masses in some dioceses, but eulogies in a church can (and do) lead to serious problems.
The very word, "eulogy," means "high praise" -- but what if the deceased wasn't so wonderful and not so repentant? Should we speak the Truth of the dead by speaking ill of him, or lie, in a church, for the sake of politeness and decorum, thereby endangering souls who hear typical words that intimate the person is most definitely, without a doubt in Heaven, right now, even though they know that he was a philanderer, a cheat, or a thief who may not have repented?
Eulogizers are often theologically ignorant, saying things that are simply not consistent with Catholic doctrine or that that lead one to believe that Purgatory and Hell do not exist, etc.
In addition, eulogies are often quite personal and quirky, with the deceased having requested in life that secular, sometimes vulgar, music be played to remember them by, and such things as that -- things that are best left for the intimacy of a wake or post-burial gathering, not the liturgy, which is always, by definition, for the public and an act of the Church.
Most of all, how can we give "high praise" to an unglorified human being when, in a church, we are in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament? Think about this and you will see the Church's wisdom.
2007-08-12 13:37:38 · answer #2 · answered by cashelmara 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
All I needed to read was that this "mega-church" has a close connection to Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church empire via one of his sisters, and things became clear: It's a much higher priority to protect him and hi$ mini$try from any taint or tarnish as far as the "prosperity go$pel" community is concerned, than for acts of mercy toward "the least of these".
I do wish our fellow believers would cease and desist this demonizing of homosexuality as the "mega-sin".
Shame on them.
2007-08-11 07:53:41 · answer #3 · answered by Clare † 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm not surprised. They are obviously Christian Extremists, and this behavior is to be expected.
I am kind of surprised that other Christians who more closely follow the teachings of Christ don't speak out against such atrocities.
Are you familiar with Rev. Phelps? (see link) I believe he and his church, as well as stories like the one you posted, are driving people away from the church, which is counter-productive.
2007-08-11 04:34:53 · answer #4 · answered by Todd T 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wonder when I read articles like this, if the situation was a "set up" just to make the church look bad. The position of the church toward gay lifestyles is well known.
Every organization has rules and regulations, it should be no surprise when..Let say, "Greenpeace" won't hold a funeral service for a group that slaughters dolphin.
2007-08-11 06:06:54 · answer #5 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
As Christians, we have every right to call our fellow Christians to task. It's non believers we have no right to judge.
Based on this news story, their actions were uncalled for. IF we are getting the whole picture and not just a biased opinion of it.
send them an email.
((((((wolfeblayde))))))))
2007-08-11 05:14:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'd let God handle them. there is nothing in that article that made me think that the church leaders acted against anything that they were not directed to according to the scriptures. It's things like this that divide the church in it's requirement to bring the Gospel to all people.
In saying that, I would not agree with them on their reasoning to decline the service.
2007-08-11 04:39:42 · answer #7 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Their dogma is more important to them than human kindness and charity...typical I am sorry to say...
2007-08-11 04:45:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is sad. This church should realize that it is not we who are the righteous judge, but God!
2007-08-11 04:36:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure what to think. I am wondering what effect it has had on unsaved persons?
2007-08-11 04:37:17 · answer #10 · answered by 1saintofGod 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋