Evangelical Leader Accused of Gay Affair Resigns

Associated Press ^ | 11/2/0y | Catherine Tsai

[jamese777]

The Rev. Ted Haggard resigned as president of the influential National Association of Evangelicals on Thursday after being accused of having a sexual affair with a gay man.

Haggard also stepped down as head of his 14,000-member New Life Church pending an investigation by a church panel, saying he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations."

"I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity," Haggard said in a written statement. "I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date. In the interim, I will seek both spiritual advice and guidance."

Haggard, a married father of five, denied the allegations in an interview with KUSA-TV late Wednesday: "Never had a gay relationship with anybody, and I'm steady with my wife, I'm faithful to my wife."

Mike Jones, 49, of Denver told the AP that Haggard paid him to have sex nearly every month over three years. His allegations were first aired on KHOW-AM radio in Denver.

[Theo]

"Faggot"? So quick to judge.

[BLS]

"I disagree. Resigning is a cut and run strategy. It makes a person appear guilty even if they are innocent. The manly (or womanly) thing to do is stand and fight."


But if he stayed on, how could the investigation be seen as fair?

[Theo]

I hope this commie faggot fraud rots in hell

You need to be careful how you talk on FR. That kind of reactionary nastiness isn't taken well by Freepers in good standing.

[montag813]

"Faggot"? So quick to judge.

I already despise this phony for his endorsement of "global warming". He has used his position amongst "evangelical leaders" to espouse radical crypto-Socialist environmentalist views.

[Theo]

I too disagree with his position on global warming. That's no reason to so quickly judge him as a "faggot." If it turns out that he was involved in a gay relationship, I too will join the chorus against his hypocricy. But for now it's just an allegation. There's no evidence against him at this point....

[the808bass]

The funny thing is that Haggard was both a fag and a leftie tree hugger...why is the left eating one of their own, their own little mole within the "Christian Right"? Dumb move.

Probably because he's not "one of their own," his position on global warming notwithstanding. As for environmentalism, it is self-evident that God wants us to be good stewards of his creation. The fact that the enviro-whackos take this too far does not negate the fact that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of nature.

[the808bass]

The manly (or womanly) thing to do is stand and fight.

Haggard resigned from the NAE and took a leave of absence from his congregation. It would be unnecessarily hard on his congregation for him to be in the pulpit every week and have them wondering every week what the real story was. If he does not fight the charge while on a leave of absence, I think you have an argument. As it currently stands, I think it was a easily defensible response on the Rev. Haggard's part.

[the808bass]

mankind has "a sacred responsibility to steward the Earth and not a license to abuse the creation of which we are a part."

You quote that like it's a damning quote. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

[Bonaparte]

"James Dobson and Chuck Colson said that Haggard had circulated a draft paper calling for the Bush administration to support mandatory limits on carbon dioxide emissions."
__________________________________________________________

Then I guess Rev. Haggard is "lying" again.

From a Washington Post article --

In a written statement yesterday, Haggard denied reports that the NAE had circulated a draft paper calling for the Bush administration to support mandatory limits on carbon dioxide emissions.

"Allow me to confirm at the outset that the NAE is not circulating any official document on the environment. We are not considering a position on global warming. We are not advocating for specific legislation or government mandates," Haggard said. His statement added that the NAE's executive committee recently passed a motion "recognizing the ongoing debate" on global warming and "the lack of consensus among the evangelical community on this issue."

[uptoolate]

Phil 2:1-11

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

[montag813]

You quote that like it's a damning quote. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Not when one uses it to promote a phony science as a pawn of the world government Socialists. Evangelicals who push global warming must be opposed. Period.

[montag813]

As for environmentalism, it is self-evident that God wants us to be good stewards of his creation. The fact that the enviro-whackos take this too far does not negate the fact that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of nature.

Haggard uses his position to promote a phony science espoused by world government Socialists. Evangelicals who push global warming must be opposed. Period.

[montag813]

I apologize for my intemperate remarks about Haggard. I have to keep my passions in check at times.

[Theo]

Apology accepted. I appreciate your humility, my friend.

[Theo]

From http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1326038 this morning:

"But KKTV reported late Thursday that acting senior pastor Ross Parsley said Haggard has admitted to some of the indiscretions. He did not say what Haggard admitted to, the station said.

“There has been some admission of indiscretion, not admission to all of the material that has been discussed. But there is an admission of some guilt,” Parsley told the Colorado Springs station. "

Doesn't look good.

That said, they are still allegations by a low-life against a seemingly-fine pastor.

[Beth528]

It seems very strange that a few days before the voting takes place the republican gays are outed...It is also strange that the liberals have some of the most sickening fags in their party and every last one of them flaunt it in our faces..Time for Fat Perverted Barney Franks to step down..

If this is true about Ted Haggard then he should go if it is not the the person that made the accusations should be sued (but of course that person is more than likely well paid by the democrats for a job well done)It is no longer the people these morons are working for it is the commie organization's that is taking over this country..

[YdontUleaveLibs]

First off it is good to see that this issue is being taken on and not being ignored. I am also glad to see that this behavior isn't being spun to show that it really isn't as bad as it looks, plus the DUmmies are much worse(which they are) and that there isn't a huge rush to judgement.


That being said, it doesn't matter to me my positions remain the same as they were this morning before I read the news. The fact that the left will decry this behavior says to me they also believe it is wrong. I am more concerned about the drug use though. I believe on at least the prostitution charges he is being set up.

[BLS]

"I apologize for my intemperate remarks about Haggard. I have to keep my passions in check at times."


No problems here. I understand completely. And you may be proved correct about the man, I am just in wait and see mode.

[Texas Songwriter]

This is a "minor" October surprise, held back to be used only if they need to use it. This morning Nora Odonnald repeatedly referred to Haggard as someone who had "weekly contact" at the White House, in an attempt to smear anyone in the white House and the Party who controls the WKhite House. With Kerry being omnipresent in the media, the dems were desperate to chang the topic of discussion,..soooooo....her we have the dems "Outing" a man as Homosexual while perporting to hold homosexuals in high regard. This was also a 2-fer because it slimes Christians also. Why today????Friday?????3 days before an extremely close election???Answer???the media is trying all it can to elect dems.

Don't ever tell me that the media is 'Just reporting the News".

[TankerKC]

Church Leader Says Haggard Admits To Some Indiscretions

So, like I was saying...