TN pastor refuses to host funeral since dying man's son is gay

[sandensea]

A 71-year-old man in Tennessee will probably die in the coming days.

He made two final requests of his son, Jessie Goodman. He wanted his funeral at Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church in Sweetwater, TN, which was the first church he ever attended, and he wanted Jessie to sing the hymn “The Anchor Holds” at the service.

Simple enough… until Pastor Jay Scruggs found out Jessie was in a same-sex relationship. Now Scruggs is refusing to hold the funeral — for the straight father.

“As long as I was going to take part in any way, he (Jessie’s father) could not have his service there,” said [Jessie] Goodman.

Goodman says the church’s pastor, and some of its members, don’t want him or his fiance [Brandon Smitty] to be involved in the service because they’re gay.

At: https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/07/25/baptist-church-to-dying-man-you-cant-have-a-funeral-here-since-your-son-is-gay/

Jessie Goodman (right) and his fiancé Brandon Smitty.

Goodman's ailing father is being refused his dying wish by the local pastor, who objects to his son's same-sex relationship.

[padah513]

1. Time to find a new house to worship in

Seems to me that they are punishing the father to spite the son. Christians are taught to love. There's no love in that place.

[sandensea]

2. Well said. Right-wing pastors have made a religion out of hatred.

And, of course, money.

[marble falls]

3. Funny how these people don't seem to realize Christ had nothing bad to say ...

abut gays, but he had plenty to say about hypocrites.

[sandensea]

4. +1

I've heard the Bible referred to as "an orchard" by Mississippi pastors before.

Which makes sense, because Deep South right-wingers love to cherry pick from it.

[UrbScotty]

5. Exactly!