Posted on 12/19/2008 8:28:18 AM PST by Alex Murphy
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Disgraced evangelical leader Ted Haggard says in a new documentary that he still struggles with his sexuality yet is committed to his marriage for the sake of his children.
Haggard, 52, resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and was fired as senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs in November 2006 after a former male prostitute went public with allegations that Haggard paid him for sex and used methamphetamine.
A father of five, Haggard had said he bought the drugs but never used them. He confessed to undisclosed "sexual immorality" and has said, "I really did sin."
The Gazette of Colorado Springs reported Thursday that in the documentary, Haggard talks about a lifelong battle with his sexuality — and that he never claimed to be heterosexual.
"The reason I kept my personal struggle a secret is because I feared that my friends would reject me, abandon me and kick me out, and the church would exile and excommunicate me. And that happened and more," he says.
Haggard's wife, Gayle, says she is committed to Haggard.
"I know to restore the honor to our children is to help restore honor to their father," she says.
"The Trials of Ted Haggard," directed by Alexandra Pelosi, daughter of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is set to air Jan. 29 on HBO. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Haggard has agreed to promote the documentary.
Haggard moved his family to Arizona after the scandal and also lived in Texas. He re-emerged last month at a rural Illinois church, where he delivered guest sermons and said he was sexually abused as a second-grader.
He now sells insurance and, in the documentary, says he isn't successful.
"At this stage in my life, I am a loser"
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Some people just don’t know when to go away.
Some people cannot stand to be out of the limelight no matter what it takes.
Would that God "help" Ted to step back into the shadows and quit dragging his family into his continued shameful self-promotion.
Oh geesh. This guy is a loser. Why doesn’t he just shut the fk up.
I don’t whats worse...his story or a Pelosi offspring making documentaries.
“”The reason I kept my personal struggle a secret is because I feared that my friends would reject me, abandon me and kick me out, and the church would exile and excommunicate me. And that happened and more,” he says. “
No, they would have kicked you out of any leadership positon, and that is exactly what happened.
If this was a guy who’s sin was bank robbery, there would be no controversy. Someone that robs banks wouldn’t be abandoned, they would be told to give up their sin of bank robbery and repent. They certainly wouldn’t be allowed to hold a leadership positon in the church while they continued to rob banks.
But because this is a sexual sin it is controversial. It shouldn’t be. Substitute bank robbery and everything becomes clear (and his excuses and struggles don’t seem to wash anymore.)
I guess the gay life isn’t so gay after all. I feel sorry for the guy even though I am not condoning his activities with hustlers and possible drug use. If one can kind of put two and two together in regard to their sexuality (on which side do they they like their bread buttered) they should make that choice and stick with it. If you stay confused there’s nothing but trouble for you and trouble for those who are involved in your life (like wives and kids).
Point of order. He is a married man with kids.
Any sex he engaged in outside of marriage is adultery.
The headline should read “He struggles with adultery” if the news organization didn’t have an agenda to push.
We are all sinners. There is one demographic who wants us to parrot their delusion that their sin is a sin no more and should be celebrated.
Imagine if a homosexual made these allegations about a major presidential candidate. You'd think that might be big news based on how the media treats THIS story 2 years out.
Nah, the agy activists won’t be satisfied becuse Ted is not an out & proud gay man—he’s “conflicted”—and that is a no-no.
I think it’s hilarious that Obama basically has given the middle finger to gay activists. Well, I can understand it from the point that open support of the gay agenda would tick off mant in the black community. They would have voted Obama regardless, but would have given him lots of flack. Obama was smart in avoidng the grief he would have gotten if he had openly endorsed gay marriage et. cetera
Kleptomaniacs can’t help themselves. They were born like that...
Does his wife testify to that ?
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
Some would say that he was victimized by a homosexual but that would be wrong and judgemental. Clearly it is genetic, with no social factors.
Does his wife testify to that ?
shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai
Ted’s on his was to rehabilitation because Pelsoi’s daughter is making the film.
It’s like going before Al Sharpton to have your name reclaimed when you are branded a racist.
Sounds like one high class bimbo... Is standing with a sociopathic-type liar really a good example for her children?
Sounds like one high class bimbo... Is standing with a sociopathic-type liar really a good example for her children?
Ouch. That's gotta leave a mark on the wife.
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