COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 3, 2006
Evangelical Quits After Gay Sex Scandal
Church Recommends 'Dismissal And Removal' Of Leader For 'Sexually Immoral Conduct'
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Reverend's Confession
Rev. Ted Haggard, former President of the National Association of Evangelicals, admits he bought methamphetamine from a gay male escort. Byron Pitts reports.
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Haggard Steps Down
Rev. Ted Haggard denies allegations that he had sex with a male prostitute, but has stepped down as pastor of his church. Jennifer Miller reports.
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Rev. Haggard Allegation
Mike Jones was on a Denver morning radio talk show and told the Associated Press that Reverend Ted Haggard paid him to have sex.
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The Rev. Ted Haggard, left, has been accused of paying Mike Jones, right, for sex. Haggard was forced out of power at the New Life Church and has resigned his post as president of the National Association of Evangelicals. (CBS/AP)
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"We, the Overseer Board of New Life Church, have concluded our deliberations concerning the moral failings of Pastor Ted Haggard," a statement from the church said. "Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct."
The church's statement continued, "In consultation with leading evangelicals and experts familiar with the type of behavior Pastor Haggard has demonstrated, we have decided that the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal."
The scandal started when a man describing himself as an escort told news media this week that Haggard, who also has resigned as president of the influential National Asssociation of Evangelicals, had been paying him for sex for three years.
Haggard immediately denied the allegations, but later acknowledged having paid the man for a massage and to provide methamphetamine.
"I bought it for myself but never used it," he said on Friday. "I was tempted, but I never used it."
The church's statement said the investigation would continue to determine how extensive Haggard's misconduct was.
The Rev. Ross Parsley will lead the church until a permanent replacement for Haggard is chosen, something that should happen by the end of the year, the statement said. A letter explaining Haggard's removal and an apology from Haggard will be read at Sunday services.
James Groesbeck, a church elder, said he was glad the investigative board acted quickly.
"I'm saddened by what came out, but I think they've done their job," Groesbeck said by telephone. Church members are drawing strength from one another and are caught up in the activity, but that likely will change, he said.
"I think it's going to be really difficult in a week or two," Groesbeck said.
Haggard, 50, said Friday that he never had sex with Mike Jones, a 49-year-old male prostitute who sparked the scandals when he told a radio station his sexual relationship with the pastor.Read the New Life Church statement.
Jones, who said he is gay, said he was also upset when he discovered Haggard and the New Life Church had publicly opposed same-sex marriage.
"It made me angry that here's someone preaching about gay marriage and going behind the scenes having gay sex," he said.
Jones claimed Haggard paid him to have sex nearly every month over three years. He said he advertised himself as an escort on the Internet and was contacted by a man who called himself Art, who snorted methamphetamine before their sexual encounters to heighten his experience.
Jones said he later saw the man on television identified as Haggard and that the two last had sex in August.
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 127 CommentsAgain intolerance by Christians - He should not lose his job for being gay or having *** with a consenting adult but should have been fired instead for bringing disrepute to the Evangelicals. He should file a wrongfull dismissal action.
The Christian right is in over their heads on political issues and should tend to their own flock and leave the rest of us alone and stop trying to impose their religious views on others.
If Churches are involved in pollitics, they should REGISTER AS LOBBYISTS - which they are - AND PAY TAXES - which they do not. Instead their operations are subsidized by everyone elso who does pay taxes and wants to maintain their rights - freedom of AND FROM Religion.
It is the medieval moralizing of so many in this country that forces men like Haggard into the closet. It's despicable, of course, that he would then join in with those who condemn and demonize homosexuals, but clearly he represents the tip of a queer iceberg.
It's more than a little embarrassing that the U.S. lags behind much of the rest of the world in the area of gay rights, much like it did with issues like slavery and civil rights for people of color. We can only hope that as time moves on events like this one will show Americans just how destructive it is to force people to live lies.
The church is the dirtiest, filthiest hypocritical corporation there is behind Haliburton, but they pay NO taxes.
Go dry up and blow away the whole dam bunch of em and be gone- good riddance!
Mike Jones
Yeah, the ones who scream the loudest are the ones you need to investigate for this stuff, THANK YOU MIKE!!!!!!!
Having about 1 a week now - at least this time it was an adult instead of a page boy.
What it is it with these "religious" people anyway? Every one of their leaders is some kind of a tax evading, drug snorting, *** fiend.
Yet they all claim to be Republicans sent from God!
VOTE THE CROOKS OUT!!
Americans have the right of religious freedom and to pursue happiness so long as they do not impede the happiness of others. Could someone explain this to Evangelicals who listened to Haggard? and to Florida republicans who elected Foley?
Even if Haggard and Foley were not hypocrites, why is their repressive message embraced by Americans or Christians? Doesn't the degree of hypocracy these issues expose suggest that something might be wrong with the original message?
Thank you Mike Jones! You are a better American than they are, and America is a better place for what you have done this past week.
Ted Haggard is just an example for the filth of mankind we are we are ruled by and we are listening to!
And that's not because he had gay ***. Gay *** is absolutely ok.
Hypocrisy is not ok.
Corruption is not ok.
Prejudices are not ok.
it gets time to understand that. wake up.
God is dead. If not he is an ***. So there is no need for any church.
We have no right to judge him. The same stick we judge with will be judged against us. No sin is greater.
This is why we shouldn't put people on pedal stools. Jesus is the only perfect one! This does make the church look bad, but God is still God. His teachings do not change regardless if the people who teach it don't abide by it.
We have no right to judge him. The same stick we judge with will be judged against us. No sin is greater.
This is why we shouldn't put people on pedal stools. Jesus is the only perfect one! This does make the church look bad, but God is still God. His teachings do not change regardless if the people who teach it don't abide by it.
Sounds familiar
Kinda like: " I smoked, but didn't inhale"
PS
Good thing Barney Frank is a Democrat, or else
liberals would be upset with him, too.
Isn't it just terrible when a Republican acts
like a Democrat
snicker, snicker, bwa,ha,ha,ha"
Actually, it sound MORE like the GOP and their 'base' are a LOT closer than they let on, snicker snicker wink wink. Say what you will, Barney Frank is at least courageous enough to be truthful about his lifestyle choices.
By the way, processor2 - I believe your comments violate the rules of engagement for this discussion venue. Your comments directed at Barney Frank are pointless, and pretty stupid, given the recent headlines. Please refrain from pointless attacks on groups of people because you saw an opportunity to draw a pointless and imbecilic comparison. Thanks.
There is nothing wrong with being a gay man or woman. There's a LOT wrong with the lies this man told his congregation, family, and every one of the people that believed in his message. He, like his political cronies, are liars and cowards of the worst kind. Snicker snicker.
On the other hand, he is just a man, a man of god, but bottom line he is a sinful human being. God's grace will forgive him and everyone judging him isn't doing any good. WE may be tempted to point to this and say,"wow another corrupt christian leader, what hypocracy the church is full of" but let's remind ourselves that the media exploits these situations to get attention and don't capitalize on the good that churches do, or the people who's lives are changed in a positive way, they are here to sell papers, with headlines.
I am not saying what he did is right, but admitting it and asking forgiveness and the church dismissing him is a fair way of dealing with it.
But "which one among us has not sinned should cast the first stone"
On the other hand, he is just a man, a man of god, but bottom line he is a sinful human being. God's grace will forgive him and everyone judging him isn't doing any good. WE may be tempted to point to this and say,"wow another corrupt christian leader, what hypocracy the church is full of" but let's remind ourselves that the media exploits these situations to get attention and don't capitalize on the good that churches do, or the people who's lives are changed in a positive way, they are here to sell papers, with headlines.
I am not saying what he did is right, but admitting it and asking forgiveness and the church dismissing him is a fair way of dealing with it.
But "which one among us has not sinned should cast the first stone"
His is a person, his personal political opinions are his own, although previously expanded upon from a pulpit.
Saying that this is a slap upon all Republicans also infers that there is no tolerance among Democrats.
Vote for whomsoever you desire, judging them on their own faults and weaknesses and past history. Not out of hate and anger.
I DO NOT agree with what he has done.
However, I DO NOT agree with this as a political event.
That's the way it SHOULD be done, bluehart. Wish more people could see and benefit from the example you set.
I feel sorry for the guy, but maybe now he can be free.
SearingTruth
"The Kingdom of the Foil Hat is over."
SearingTruth
"They destroyed with reckless abandon, and then plead for mercy."
SearingTruth
"Republicans are in a unique historical position. They are the first group of people raised on this land, who call themselves Americans, that openly proclaim the virtues of torture, secret prisons, extrajudicial abduction, universal surveillance, and dictatorial government."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
As well as all others should learn so we can all live in peace. Without "God", there will be no "Blessed By God Wars", no fanatical suicide bomers for Allah and Islam,...
Time to grow up, world and know the true Faith! Faith in People is the only true Faith. Believe in the rule of peoples laws, not God's Laws!
Truth and trust in honor, in being good, and caring for one another!!!! NO MORE KILLING IN THE NAME OF GOD!!!!
Believe it!
SearingTruth
"The Republican Party is the first political party in American history that proudly and boldly attempted to abolish the Constitution of the United States of America.
And they succeeded.
Under their heinous reign American freedom died, without a whimper.
It is time to reclaim it.
With a roar."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
On the contrary, there is a God. And God/Allah/Budda/etc. is sick of self-righteous, narrow-minded, self-centered jerks oppressing others in his, her , or its name.
There are many of us out here in the world that view Haggard%u2019s lying, hypocrisy, and drug use to be much more of a moral and social harm than his homos3xuality.
Satan is about to get mad at Haggard as well if Haggard starts trying to blame it all on him and his demons of temptation!
Hopefully the guy will just spend some time soul-searching and free himself from the prison he has created for himself.
Pastor Ted participated in weekly discussions with the White House representing 30 million members of the National Association of Evangelicals.
The NAE has taken a moral high ground on political issues with stringent convictions that don't allow room for dialog/compromise with other citizens of America.
In truth, if we are all governed by a higher transcending power, the power of God, how can mere mortals dictate the will of God to all citizens of America? How do we really know what the will of God is?
This was divine intervention%u2026on a personal level, on a community level%u2026and on the national level.
Starting today, we need to learn from this situation%u2026and pray for a Congress which is not corrupt%u2026and a country which is united.
Glory at the Republican Party, unchecked, metastasized upon the soul of America."
SearingTruth
"As a regular and proud violator of the law myself, I was shocked and disgusted that others had also proudly ignored and violated the law."
The Republican Party
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
Posted by tpeks40 at 06:13 PM : Nov 04, 2006
Sadly, I don't think this will change anything. Hate-mongers need something to hang onto, right or wrong. I wish things were different, too, and I am a straight female. I am so tired of so-called god fearing people demonizing others who don't fit into their mold completely...
MidwestProf
"I would not render the well of compassion and good will to mystical forces unseen, as much as to humanities spirit unconquered."
SearingTruth
"Those who crusade, not for God in themselves, but against the devil in others, never succeed in making the world better, but leave it either as it was, or sometimes even perceptibly worse ... By thinking primarily of evil we tend, however excellent our intentions, to create occasions for evil to manifest itself in us."
Aldous Huxley
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
I believe that our goals are more important. We all want to be free. We all want our children to be healthy and happy. Most all of us want peace so long as our own rights are protected.
These are the ideals that we can all strive for together. These are the threads of humanity that cannot be torn apart."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com
Maybe now Haggard can find a way to accept and love himself for who he really is. I certainly hope so, because the life he has chosen to live up to this point had to be a living h3ll.
I was raised a southern baptist and have known that I was Gay since I was a young child. But because demons wearing the cloak of God like Ted told me in sunday school that all homosexuals were unconditionally condemned to Hell, I sought for all of my young adult life to be healed of this disease. I begged Jesus every night all through my teens to make me like girls but nothing ever changed. I even joined an evangelical church hoping that their brand of christianity would be strong enough to break the spell that Satan had placed on me since I was 3 when I first decided to give my aunt's dolls haircuts and paint their fingernails.
Well after the pastor of that church broke up with his wife because she was an alcoholic and he had a taste for the colege aged temps that were always coming and going from this office, I opened my eyes to see religion in a different light.
Religion is nothing more than an organized means of controlling the masses. Masses who are either too dumb or lazy to think for themselves. There is, after all, a reason they are called the "Flock".
Jesus was, from all I can tell, a great guy with some great ideas to live by. He probably was just a little bi himself. Never married, had 12 guys who worshipped him, liked to party, hung out with hookers (read that *** hags).
Wake up America, think for yourselves, and if you insist on going to church make sure the preacher sticks to the bible and leaves the politics alone.
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