Instead of allowing LGBTQ people join their ceremony, organizers behind a whole city’s Easter celebrations have canceled the event instead.
California’s Police Chaplain Jim Reid, the organizer of The Easter Sunrise Service, unwittingly invited an LGBTQ-inclusive church to attend the celebrations.
After realizing his mistake, Reid tried to take back the invitation, much to the chagrin of Reverend Terri Miller (pictured) of the LGBT-affirming church Valley Ministries.
Here’s Reid, explaining his reasons for rescinding the invite:
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“We are diametrically different in our view of scripture when it comes to homosexuality.”
For that statement, The Stockton Police Department placed Reid on leave and then fired him.
When Miller and her wife were invited back to the celebration by the Stockton Leadership Foundation, the organization abruptly canceled the entire event.
Why? According to a statement, it’s because the “transforming message” of Easter “will be overshadowed as a result of the well-publicized clergy invitations.”
Reid, still on the board of the organization, says that if Valley Ministries were allowed to take part, there would be “a media frenzy”.
“I felt it would defeat the purpose of having it,” he said. “I didn’t think it would bring glory and honor to God. I was in favor of canceling.”
Reverend Miller is, of course, “very sad” about the decision.
h/t: Pink News
