Woman's family says church called off funeral because she was gay

[Lovelife090994]

http://abc13.com/religion/womans-family-says-church-called-off-funeral-because-she-was-gay/474884/


Wednesday, January 14, 2015 12:46PM

The family of a recently deceased Colorado woman says they were forced to relocate her funeral minutes before it was scheduled to start after the church hosting the service objected to a video showing her kissing her wife.

Hundreds of people had already arrived at New Hope Ministries in Lakewood, Colorado last weekend to celebrate the life of Vanessa Collier when Pastor Ray Chavez announced the service would not take place because of the "inappropriate" video that included scenes of Collier proposing to her wife and them kissing.

"It was disgusting," Collier's cousin, Jessica Maestas, told ABC News.

Chavez gave the family the option to edit the video, but instead they moved the service to a funeral home across the street.

Collier's family is outraged by the church's actions. They say New Hope Ministries was aware tat Collier was a lesbian and they had submitted the video for review two days before the service.

"I provided the video, and got the OK from the funeral home that we would be able to show it," Maestas said.

The family says they have not received a refund or apology from the church. Tuesday, supported held a protest in front of New Hope Ministries in Collier's honor.

"I organized the march because I wasn't going to let this be the memory of her death," Collier's friend, Jose Silva. "Love is love."

New Hope Ministries did not responded to ABC News' request for a comment.

ABC News contributed to this report.
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So much for Christian love and acceptance... these guys are not good at all.

[Melodic]

Are you kidding me?

That is really uncalled for. I hope that church loses a bunch of their followers for this.

[Uranus]

(if you want an argument. Then give me one. Don't wait for me to say ok as this might be something that causes your hair to get in a knot. I'm not trying to make this a religious argument.)

I was raised in a religious home. So yes I am religious but kinda not really. It's that 50/50 shit. Pastors (Majority) are now refusing to marry gays. Because it goes against Christian beliefs. And by doing so it would be against God. Therefore committing a sin. And if the pastors have government officials come to the church and tell them they are to marry gays, and they refuse, they can be put to jail. And I believe fines raise 1K for every time they refuse and jail time is raised. (As long as they are licensed to marry)

However I don't understand the funeral event. This is uncalled for in my opinion. This has nothing to do with what is committing a sin. It's a funeral! Not a wedding ceremony

[Daniella98]

Im probably gonna be unpopular by saying this. But here goes:
Religion can really turn people into asses

[Uranus]

Im probably gonna be unpopular by saying this. But here goes:
Religion can really turn people into asses

This has nothing to do about religion. Either they had too much lean the night prior to the funeral, or they have no knowledge of anything. This is not about religion. Whoever refused to do the funeral service, is as you put it, an ass.

[Daniella98]

This has nothing to do about religion. Either they had too much lean the night prior to the funeral, or they have no knowledge of anything. This is not about religion. Whoever refused to do the funeral service, is as you put it, an ass.

Clearly an ass. But I still believe that we would be better off without religion.

[Magenta]

Ugh, this is horrible, religious reasoning or not. It's a funeral, be goddamn respectful of the fact the family just lost someone they cared about.

[Lovelife090994]

Are you kidding me?

That is really uncalled for. I hope that church loses a bunch of their followers for this.

(if you want an argument. Then give me one. Don't wait for me to say ok as this might be something that causes your hair to get in a knot. I'm not trying to make this a religious argument.)

I was raised in a religious home. So yes I am religious but kinda not really. It's that 50/50 shit. Pastors (Majority) are now refusing to marry gays. Because it goes against Christian beliefs. And by doing so it would be against God. Therefore committing a sin. And if the pastors have government officials come to the church and tell them they are to marry gays, and they refuse, they can be put to jail. And I believe fines raise 1K for every time they refuse and jail time is raised. (As long as they are licensed to marry)

However I don't understand the funeral event. This is uncalled for in my opinion. This has nothing to do with what is committing a sin. It's a funeral! Not a wedding ceremony

Im probably gonna be unpopular by saying this. But here goes:
Religion can really turn people into asses

This has nothing to do about religion. Either they had too much lean the night prior to the funeral, or they have no knowledge of anything. This is not about religion. Whoever refused to do the funeral service, is as you put it, an ass.

Clearly an ass. But I still believe that we would be better off without religion.

Ugh, this is horrible, religious reasoning or not. It's a funeral, be goddamn respectful of the fact the family just lost someone they cared about.

Guys, religion or not, a funeral is NOT the place to bring up the past, spite, or to disrespect the dead. Church is not a business. If churches want to refuse whoever now and dabble in politics (on top of their money and tithes from paychecks and offerings), tax them. Christian or not, a decent PERSON would not care what they are. This was a woman, a person, a soul. You do not cut a funeral short just because the dead was gay and is different. The church took the family's money and trust. Not every gay is atheist. if gays and Christians wish to get along, they gotta follow all of the Bible or none at all. Love all.

[Magenta]

Guys, religion or not, a funeral is NOT the place to bring up the past, spite, or to disrespect the dead. Church is not a business. If churches want to refuse whoever now and dabble in politics (on top of their money and tithes from paychecks and offerings), tax them. Christian or not, a decent PERSON would not care what they are. This was a woman, a person, a soul. You do not cut a funeral short just because the dead was gay and is different. The church took the family's money and trust. Not every gay is atheist. if gays and Christians wish to get along, they gotta follow all of the Bible or none at all. Love all.

I'm pretty sure that's what all of us just said.

[Lovelife090994]

I'm pretty sure that's what all of us just said.

Just saying.

[Leprous]

Im probably gonna be unpopular by saying this. But here goes:
Religion can really turn people into asses

Well, guess I'll be unpopular aswell but what you just said actually makes sense to me.
Sometimes people blindly follow their religion and think they're better than others and then stuff like this happens.

[Arkansasguy]

http://abc13.com/religion/womans-family-says-church-called-off-funeral-because-she-was-gay/474884/



So much for Christian love and acceptance... these guys are not good at all.

The final decision was correct. If they're doing a funeral they have a right not to show stuff like that.

[Lovelife090994]

The final decision was correct. If they're doing a funeral they have a right not to show stuff like that.

No it was not! It was tacky! You don't have a funeral for a family and then cancel or tell them not to have family photos!

[Thunderstorm]

The final decision was correct. If they're doing a funeral they have a right not to show stuff like that.

You are right in that the church can do what they want. However, the decision was NOT correctly executed, being sprung on the family in the last minute.

I think the family should have taken a hint that it was a very Christian-minded funeral home by the name "New Hop Ministries." However, I still think this is disgusting and goes to show not everywhere and everyone is accepting yet even though a majority of states recognize and legalized same-sex marriage.

[Arkansasguy]

No it was not! It was tacky! You don't have a funeral for a family and then cancel or tell them not to have family photos!

There's no reason why pictures depicting something so immoral should be shown at a funeral.

You are right in that the church can do what they want. However, the decision was NOT correctly executed, being sprung on the family in the last minute.

I would agree that they should have been more clear at the beginning.

[conniption]

There's no reason why pictures depicting something so immoral should be shown at a funeral

Wait, are you saying showing photos of the woman with her wife is immoral?

[Arkansasguy]

Wait, are you saying showing photos of the woman with her wife is immoral?

Their attempt at contracting marriage was immoral, and it would be immoral to display photographs of it in a manner appearing to confine the behavior.

[conniption]

Their attempt at contracting marriage was immoral, and it would be immoral to display photographs of it in a manner appearing to confine the behavior.

What exactly is immoral about two people wanting to get married?

[Lovelife090994]

There's no reason why pictures depicting something so immoral should be shown at a funeral.



I would agree that they should have been more clear at the beginning.

Wait, I'm going to back you up right there. Stop. This was a woman and the one she loved. The church cancelled at the last minute. Immorality is subjective, and if you are mentioning religious rhetoric then you must believe women must be silent, and that pork and shellfish are immoral, or maybe you have a problem with my fleece robe and cotton shirt.

What exactly is immoral about two people wanting to get married?

Exactly! Let love be free!

[phuckphace]

you see THIS, bigot!? 50% POLYESTER 50% COTTON. where's your god now?!

:lol3: I'm sure all the Christians converted to atheism and burned their Bibles after that zinger

[Jaseblader]

http://abc13.com/religion/womans-family-says-church-called-off-funeral-because-she-was-gay/474884/



So much for Christian love and acceptance... these guys are not good at all.

It's not really surprising this is a reason why some Christians don't believe in church

[Lovelife090994]

It's not really surprising this is a reason why some Christians don't believe in church

Maybe.

[Karkat]

They were clearly just going to scam the people from the start. I'm fully positive they just agreed in the beginning to collect the fees, and were never planning on going through with the funeral to begin with. Incredible. The poor family should hire a good fucking lawyer, church or not.

Their attempt at contracting marriage was immoral, and it would be immoral to display photographs of it in a manner appearing to confine the behavior.

Scamming is more immoral than love.

[Vilnius]

Absolutely sad. It's hard to think that a place (supposedly) preaching about love and tolerance could be so heartless and go so far to deny her a FUNERAL.

[Stronk Serb]

you see THIS, bigot!? 50% POLYESTER 50% COTTON. where's your god now?!

:lol3: I'm sure all the Christians converted to atheism and burned their Bibles after that zinger

Jeezus said he will remove poverty and suffering. You see it every day.
Odin said he will kill all the ice giants. See any?
Nordic paganism 4 teh win!
The church did a dick move for cancelling it at the last moment though. They reviewed the photos and gave the OK but then they refused.

[Lovelife090994]

Jeezus said he will remove poverty and suffering. You see it every day.
Odin said he will kill all the ice giants. See any?
Nordic paganism 4 teh win!
The church did a dick move for cancelling it at the last moment though. They reviewed the photos and gave the OK but then they refused.

Thank you! This church did a dick move.

[Arkansasguy]

that pork and shellfish are immoral, or maybe you have a problem with my fleece robe and cotton shirt.

I'm not sure what you're babbling about, although it would be understandable if a Mosque refused to show pictures of someone eating pork at a funeral.

Exactly! Let love be free!

Yep. If someone wants to marry a little kid, why should bigots stop them?
:rolleyes:

you see THIS, bigot!? 50% POLYESTER 50% COTTON. where's your god now?!

:lol3: I'm sure all the Christians converted to atheism and burned their Bibles after that zinger

Honestly, do these people even think before they post?

Jeezus said he will remove poverty and suffering.

Svarog said that the Earth is flat.

As easy as it us to make up ridiculous things and accuse one's opponents of saying them, it's still a fallacious way of arguing.

[phuckphace]

Yep. If someone wants to marry a little kid, why should bigots stop them? :rolleyes:

there are people who actually say this unironically (lolbertarians, greens, pedos) and it's starting to become a thing to "pedo-shame" so yeah thus continues the Titanic's slow gurgling descent into the icy black depths. although, I'm starting to think it should've just blown up already Michael Bay-style.

Honestly, do these people even think before they post?

I just get tired of seeing the same trite BS posted in every antitheist rant ever. hurr durr why aren't you sacrificing sheep on your Foreman in the backyard to make God happy trololololol brb posting this on Reddit for 9000 upvotes

[Karkat]

I like how there's no response to my comeback lmao

[phuckphace]

They were clearly just going to scam the people from the start. I'm fully positive they just agreed in the beginning to collect the fees, and were never planning on going through with the funeral to begin with. Incredible. The poor family should hire a good fucking lawyer, church or not.

I seemed to have missed this. if they did in fact take the money and run, then I agree.

[Lovelife090994]

They were clearly just going to scam the people from the start. I'm fully positive they just agreed in the beginning to collect the fees, and were never planning on going through with the funeral to begin with. Incredible. The poor family should hire a good fucking lawyer, church or not.



Scamming is more immoral than love.

Scams are partially why this world has so much conflict. No integrity anymore.

[Karkat]

Scams are partially why this world has so much conflict. No integrity anymore.

Basically. People will do anything to get a quick buck.

[Stronk Serb]

Svarog said that the Earth is flat.

As easy as it us to make up ridiculous things and accuse one's opponents of saying them, it's still a fallacious way of arguing.

It was a joke. I still think the church did a dick move of first giving the OK and then cancelling the whole thing.

[Mob Boss]

Dear god, this story made my blood boil. How dare they. Scumbags

[dirtyboxer55]

haha its funny because christians hate gay people

[SethfromMI]

I understand it. it is based on their religious beliefs. they have every right to think and feel that way

[Lovelife090994]

I understand it. it is based on their religious beliefs. they have every right to think and feel that way

But they scammed the family and dishonored the dead. That's worse than disagreement vased on beliefs.

[SethfromMI]

But they scammed the family and dishonored the dead. That's worse than disagreement vased on beliefs.

did they keep the money? if so that is def wrong. if they waited till the day of that is not right either. I am just saying, I can understand, even as a bi-guy, a church not wanting to be a part of it

[Karkat]

haha its funny because christians hate gay people

That's kind of like saying that it'd be funny if you became homeless, because you're a troll, and trolls live under bridges

LOL -_-

Not so funny when it's you that's being laughed at, is it? -_-

[SethfromMI]

That's kind of like saying that it'd be funny if you became homeless, because you're a troll, and trolls live under bridges

LOL -_-

Not so funny when it's you that's being laughed at, is it? -_-

:yeah:

but seriously. it is not funny. but if they were gay, why would they want it at a church in the first place

[Lovelife090994]

:yeah:

but seriously. it is not funny. but if they were gay, why would they want it at a church in the first place

Uh you do realize not every homosexual is atheist right? You can be Christian and homosexual. There is no law saying all homosexuals or non-heterosexuals for that matter must be atheist... Even if there were it would be an uproar since many LGBT are Pagan as well as Atheistic so that would infringe on our religious rights.

[SethfromMI]

Uh you do realize not every homosexual is atheist right? You can be Christian and homosexual. There is no law saying all homosexuals or non-heterosexuals for that matter must be atheist... Even if there were it would be an uproar since many LGBT are Pagan as well as Atheistic so that would infringe on our religious rights.

yes but YOU do realize the Bible, whether you like it or not, is negative towards homosexual acts, right? therefore, I can understand why churches do not want a part of it. it is their right. it is their moral beliefs.

[Lovelife090994]

yes but YOU do realize the Bible, whether you like it or not, is negative towards homosexual acts, right? therefore, I can understand why churches do not want a part of it. it is their right. it is their moral beliefs.

It's their right yes... But a church should not agree to hold a person's funeral and then at the last minute during the service suddenly quit and deny showing family photos whilst taking the family's money. The Bible also has negative words on church as a business and with Christians cheating others.

[SethfromMI]

It's their right yes... But a church should not agree to hold a person's funeral and then at the last minute during the service suddenly quit and deny showing family photos whilst taking the family's money. The Bible also has negative words on church as a business and with Christians cheating others.

well I totally agree the church should give back all the money. that I totally agree with

[Horatio Nelson]

VTDC :arrow: ROTW

This has obviously turned into a debate, and I might add, a very uncivil one at that. If you cannot keep this thread from getting more heated and angry, it will be locked.

[fairmaiden]

haha its funny because christians hate gay people
Not all Christians hate gay people. I certainly don't hate gay people, and there are also gay Christians out there. Not sure why you think this is funny...

[dirtyboxer55]

Not all Christians hate gay people. I certainly don't hate gay people, and there are also gay Christians out there. Not sure why you think this is funny...

can gay christians even call themselves christian? blatantly ignoring the word of the god they choose (keyword being choose) to believe in. like a muslim that eats a bunch of bacon lol.

[fairmaiden]

can gay christians even call themselves christian? blatantly ignoring the word of the god they choose (keyword being choose) to believe in. like a muslim that eats a bunch of bacon lol.
It's up to them what they decide.

Sometimes in Christianity it's frowned upon to eat pork, however I usually have bacon every week, so.

[dirtyboxer55]

It's up to them what they decide.

Sometimes in Christianity it's frowned upon to eat pork, however I usually have bacon every week, so.

and you probably also wear polyester clothes, ripped jeans, eat cheeseburgers, clams, shrimp, etc.

where do we draw the line though? or can just anyone say they're christian no matter what they do

[fairmaiden]

and you probably also wear polyester clothes, ripped jeans, eat cheeseburgers, clams, shrimp, etc.

where do we draw the line though? or can just anyone say they're christian no matter what they do
I don't like seafood, but I have done the rest of the things you've said.

From what I know, people become Christians because they love God. Doesn't matter who they are, as long as they are sincere and want to let God into their hearts. If someone has a good heart, in my opinion they are entitled to call themselves Christians.

I don't care what religion someone belongs to (or even if they don't belong to a religion), as long as they're good to me I'll be good to them.