Religion

rug

(82,333 posts) Fri Nov 18, 2016, 05:11 PM Nov 2016

Minister refuses use of hall for humanist funeral

Published: 18/11/2016 16:45
Written by Mike Merritt

THE grieving family of a former German prisoner of war was refused a funeral service in a Sutherland community hall owned by a church because it was a humanist service.

Heinz Voigt’s son said he was "saddened" by the decision to refuse the humanist service at the Fountain Road Hall, which belongs to St Andrew’s Church of Scotland, Golspie

Retired Northern Times accountant Mr Voigt died at the age of 91 on November 4 at Migdale Hospital in Bonar Bridge.

His son Heinz (63) and daughter Liz (67), a retired technician at Golspie High School, wanted to hold his funeral service under the direction of Brora-based humanist celebrant Wendy Armstrong at the local hall.

http://www.northern-times.co.uk/News/Minister-refuses-use-of-hall-for-humanist-funeral-18112016.htm

7 replies

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Minister refuses use of hall for humanist funeral (Original Post) rug Nov 2016 OP

That's the way it will be here soon.....n/t HAB911 Nov 2016 #1

If it is a private venue, that is legal. guillaumeb Nov 2016 #2

Just like private restaurants don't have to serve edhopper Nov 2016 #6

Or private Country Clubs can refuse to admit women. eom guillaumeb Nov 2016 #7

While it is their choice I think it was a bad one and an inhospitable choice. hrmjustin Nov 2016 #3

I'm not sure it was entirely their choice. rug Nov 2016 #4

That is a good point. We have this issue in NYC with private church property open hrmjustin Nov 2016 #5

HAB911

(8,911 posts)

1. That's the way it will be here soon.....n/t

Reply to rug (Original post)

Fri Nov 18, 2016, 05:14 PM

Nov 2016

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)

2. If it is a private venue, that is legal.

Reply to rug (Original post)

Fri Nov 18, 2016, 05:16 PM

Nov 2016

It might be cruel and ignorant, but that is another topic.

edhopper

(33,606 posts)

6. Just like private restaurants don't have to serve

Reply to guillaumeb (Reply #2)

Sat Nov 19, 2016, 08:20 PM

Nov 2016

gay or black peole I suppose.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)

7. Or private Country Clubs can refuse to admit women. eom

Reply to edhopper (Reply #6)

Sat Nov 19, 2016, 09:59 PM

Nov 2016

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

3. While it is their choice I think it was a bad one and an inhospitable choice.

Reply to rug (Original post)

Fri Nov 18, 2016, 05:20 PM

Nov 2016

It is not as if it is the church sanctuary.

rug

(82,333 posts)

4. I'm not sure it was entirely their choice.

Reply to hrmjustin (Reply #3)

Fri Nov 18, 2016, 05:24 PM

Nov 2016

The hall, while owned by a church, is held out to the public for rental. I don't know the law in Scotland but I don't think the church could block the hall from being rented for a same-sex marriage. The church, yes, but not the hall.

hrmjustin

(71,265 posts)

5. That is a good point. We have this issue in NYC with private church property open

Reply to rug (Reply #4)

Fri Nov 18, 2016, 05:26 PM

Nov 2016

to the public. At least one time a year we have to close our property to the public. Trinity Church has to do so with their right of way.

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