Church cancels gay vet’s memorial – Focus on Faith – MSNBC.com

ARLINGTON, Texas – 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.

Ohhhh, my God. This is “love the sinner, hate the sin” in action? Commenters at the MSN boards inevitably bring up Leviticus in condemning homosexuality, because being a literalist means never having to use the brains God gave us and truly think about how we treat people and the world.

But what did Jesus say about homosexuality? Nothing at all. He consorted with any and all kinds of sinners, at table and in His travels.

Ironically, I’m a better Christian today because people of faith who happened to be gay were there at turning points in my life’s journey. Without their influence, I’d be sleeping in every Sunday, and not thinking at all about the needy.

Sheesh.