Former pastor and gay but in denial Ted Haggard, spoke in front of the Open Bible Fellowship Church (where do they come up with these names?). His sermon was titled "Jesus' Righteousness in Us". Haggard talked about the experience of being outed. He blamed what happened on being molested at age seven.
At 50, he said, whether it was because of a mid-life crisis, pressure or psychological determinism, “what happened to me as a child started to produce fruit.”
Haggard said he would walk around his church in the middle of the night, at war with himself, telling God to “do whatever it takes to deliver me. I’ll lay anything on the altar. I hate this thing. But, there were times when I love it.”
So... what really pisses me off is how easy it is for Haggard to stand up in front of sheeple and say, "The devil made me do it'. He takes no responsibility for his actions. He claims he was tempted because of prior sexual abuse and pressure on the job. He was pushed over the edge by a horrific battle with Satan.. Now he's back, forgiven, and ready to work for God's glory. Um... Bullshit.
An old Christian friend of mine had this saying, "If you want forgiveness after stepping on your dick in public, you should start by mowing the lawn for a couple of years". There are many ways to serve. But the option of leading a congregation should never be on this table to Ted haggard. What the hell are these people thinking?