Ted Haggard sells his dignity

Well – I should say that Ted Haggard sells his what’s left of his dignity. He’s agreed to appear on ABC’s reality show Celebrity Wife Swap, with B list actor Gary Busey. I don’t understand what drives people to the spotlight. Especially those who have fallen from grace as publically as Ted Haggard. The outcome cannot possibly be good. It must be the money, or maybe the fame. If it is for money or for the fame, how is this Christ-like?

Ted Haggard did not show up for the first scheduled tapping at a Colorado Springs GLBT Pride Center where he and Gary Busey were supposed to put together care packages for deployed gay soldiers. Haggard did not offer an explanation. Man up Haggard. Gays don’t bite. You know that.

Technorati Tags: Reality TV,Ted Haggard,Religion

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Haggard’s slow crawl continues

Ted Haggard preached to an audience of 200 at the House of Praise church in Rensselaer County, New York. Pastor Lon Dean invited Haggard to speak after feeling sinful for judging Haggard. Little does he know that he’s feeding the beast. Haggard’s slow crawl back from exile will be marked by small venues appearances for cash. He’s working the farm league to hone his performance and hoping for a shot at the big leagues. He needs another shot to get right. The only thing he knows is preaching… and engaging in illicit drug use and risky sex.

Christians will forgive him. They will eventually flock to his sermons to hear the uplifting story of his new walk with Lord. Is it only the skeptics of the world that see this for what it is? A ruse, another attempt for a moment in the sun, or at least a steady paycheck? I’m not that jaded. This should be obvious. Haggard should not be trusted.

Technorati Tags: Ted Haggard

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Ted Haggard is back in the game

I had honestly hoped that this turkey would never surface again. But no, Ted Haggard is holding “home church” out of his Colorado Springs home. If you don’t know what home church is, think family party with no booze and the fat obnoxious blowhard sitting next to you on a small couch  for what seems like days. That’s home church.  But hey, it’s trendy.

The pastor told The Gazette he is holding a "prayer meeting" Nov. 12 in his living room in Colorado Springs but said it would also be correct to call it a church.

Haggard says he has no goals of building something like New Life Church, which began with about 25 people in his basement in 1985 and grew to thousands of members.

No, a church the size of New Life is too grand. I’ll settle for enough people to pay my bills.

This just in from Denver, the street price of meth jumped 5% in overnight trading…

Technorati Tags: Hypocrisy,Religion,Christians,Ted Haggard

Review: The Trials of Ted Haggard

I felt bad for Ted Haggard after watching the new documentary about him called The Trials of Ted Haggard. His is a pathetic broken man. It is human to feel for others when the are hurting. And the need to feel for Ted came across loudly yet superficially. I do not subscribe to the kick a man while he’s down school of thought. Ted Haggard’s been reduced to delivering door hangers to make a few bucks. I get it. His life is shit. But… I still don’t know why.

I also understand that Haggard has not come clean. He brushed over his drug use and the real nature of his sexuality. When filmmaker Alex Pelosi had a chance to dive deep, she pulled her punches. Her treatment of Haggard was sympathetic and shallows. Her focus limited to his lamentable daily life. The documentary is truly about the shit pie he must eat each day as he goes about trying to put a life back together for himself and his family.

I understand why his mega church turned its back on him, or at least I think I do. To the holy, he is a pariah. They will not forgive him, nor well they let him back into the lucrative church enterprise he founded. His exile is partly to save the church, and partly to punish him for being gay (or whatever he chooses to label himself).

I have a few reasons to dislike Haggard. I was angry for the way he treated Richard Dawkins, and his comments about atheists, but that was small beer. I was deeply upset over how Haggard treated the gay community. It was wrong on so many levels and contributed to the climate of hate that drove issues like Prop 8. His hypocrisy was of the worst sort. He preached something he did not believe because it buttered his bread. Plus, he’s a liar. I have no tolerance for liars.  Life is too short.

His church and former friends will not forgive him. The gay community will forever loath him. And atheists will continue to hold him accountable for his lies and hypocrisy. After seeing the documentary, my heart has softened. I’ve tasted shit pie in my life a few times. It is a taste I would not wish on anyone.

Ted Haggard, if you read this please know that in my heart I forgive you for the enormous mistake your life has been up until now, or at least the part of it that I have noticed. Please live honestly going forward. If you do, I won’t write about your old hypocrisy and lies any more.

Honesty starts by telling the truth about what happened. The whole truth. Don’t try to spin it to make yourself look noble or to play the victim. Own what you did and who you are, and then get on with your life. To do so without becoming a media whore would be nice too. But call me a cynic… I know you see dollar signs attached to the media coverage of this documentary and another chance for the limelight. And we already know what you are willing to do for money.

Oh, and one piece of advice. Stop trying to sell stuff. Only a fool would ever buy anything from you. Go buy yourself a pair of work gloves and a shovel. There is plenty of work out there for men who are willing to step up. And nobody will care that you were once famous.

And one last parting thought. I liked the documentary. But I liked it in the strange way one likes a freak show. I could have been much better. It could have been deep and meaningful, and even spiritual. We are at our best (or worst), when tested. It would have been nice to see the best (or worst) of Ted Haggard. I hate to say that I think I could have done a better job, but I think I could have done a better job.

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, Movie Reviews, Hypocrisy

Haggard had another lover

News has just broke that Ted Haggard had another lover at the time of his gay sex scandal in 2006. Who knew? The story is interesting too. It seems his church covered up the affair with a young church volunteer. They paid the young man off with college tuition and counseling. I can only guess that the counseling was to "fix him". What a deal… I’m sure it was done in the best interest of truth.

"It wasn't at all a settlement to make him be quiet or not tell his story," Boyd said. "Our desire was to help him. Here was a young man who wanted to get on with his life. We considered it more compassionate assistance — certainly not hush money. I know what's what everyone will want to say because that's the most salacious thing to say, but that's not at all what it was."

Source: Disgraced pastor faces more gay sex accusations

I get it. You paid hush money to protect the young man. Right... In other news. Ted Haggard is promoting his new documentary on HBO. He plays the victim. I wonder if they will need to revise his official history?

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, Hypocrisy, Clergy Misconduct

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Ted Haggard gives sermon

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?

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Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, Hypocrisy

More Haggard News

New Life Church Says Haggard's Restoration 'Incomplete'

More than a year after former pastor Ted Haggard resigned from his position at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Haggard has severed his official relationship with the New Life Church Restoration Team. The megachurch said Tuesday Haggard has prematurely ended a "spiritual restoration" process begun when he was fired for sexual misconduct. Haggard was the church's senior founding pastor.

Source: Church Says Haggard's Restoration 'Incomplete' - Denver News Story - KMGH Denver

Reading between the lines, I would guess this means Haggard is still gay. Go figure.

hat tip: This. That. No Other.

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, New Life Church, Hypocrisy, Gay

Mike Jones responds...

...to Ted Haggard's announcement of his heterosexuality

The prostitute who first exposed Evangelical minister Ted Haggard as a closeted gay man and crystal meth user has responded to Haggard's claim that he has successfully completed three weeks of "ex-gay" counseling.

Three weeks? That don't sound right. Haggard must have had the abbreviated treatment.

Jones goes not to say, "If you were to ask me 'Do I think is Ted haggard gay?' I would have to say 'yes'... ." Jones would be in a position to know.

Jones also indicated that there were others.

...he had heard from two other individuals that claimed they had encounters with Haggard. Those accusers, Jones asserted, have chosen to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs.

Church employees? Members?

(Posted while listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik - off Blood Sugar Sex Magik)

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, hypocrisy

Ted Haggard says he is "completely heterosexual"

Another way of saying this is "Ted Haggard says he is no longer a Homosexual". Or Ted Haggard says he is not longer bisexual". I could go on and on.... 

The Rev. Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intensive counseling convinced he is "completely heterosexual" and told an oversight board that his sexual contact with men was limited to his accuser.

How one cures or curbs his issues urges in a few quick months, or ever, is a mystery. I can't pass an apple pie without my mouth watering, and occasionally I dive in for a piece. Is Haggard going to be able to resist? it is doubtful.

"He is completely heterosexual," Ralph said. "That is something he discovered. It was the acting- out situations where things took place. It wasn't a constant thing."

So he was only gay part time? And now he's not going to be gay at all?

Of course, Haggard did not mention his meth use, so he must still be an addict. And what about the lying?

(posted while listening to myself laughing)

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, Hypocrisy

Haggard Leaving Colorado

Out of shame, the once powerful Ted Haggard is slinking away. I hear he is moving to North Hollywood.

This is a letter Haggard sent to his former flock over the weekend.

Jesus is starting to put me back together. I have spent so much time in repentance, brokenness, hurt and sorrow for the things I've done and the negative impact my actions have had on others. That sadness continues as my family and I, along with so many others, go through the painful consequences of my actions. Jesus and his followers, though, have saved my life. As part of New Life's efforts to help me, they sent Gayle and me to Phoenix for a three-week psychological intensive that gave us three years worth of analysis and treatment. We all wanted to know why I developed such incongruity in my life. Thankfully, with the tools we gained there, along with the powerful way God has been illuminating His Word and the Holy Spirit has been convicting and healing me, we now have growing understanding which is giving me some hope for a future.

Gayle and I have decided to move from Colorado Springs to go back to school.  We love Colorado Springs so much, and will always regard the believer's at New Life Church as family, but we have to go in order to let the church determine its own course and for us to retrain. We haven't decided where we are moving but so far have been offered two places, one in Iowa and one in Missouri. We are both planning on getting our masters in Psychology so we can work together serving others the rest of our lives. Since we are taking our classes on-line, we can live anywhere that's affordable. Then we'll travel to location for short in-class requirements.

Thank you so much for your love and prayers during this horrific time of transition in our lives. For the last three months, I've not been communicative because I've been paralyzed by shame. But as God and people like you forgive me, the sun is starting to rise in my life.  I look forward to communicating with greater ease.

God bless,

Ted Haggard
"We are Easter People."

Source: KRDO.com - Colorado Springs - Pueblo - Haggard Leaving Colorado

Forgiveness never comes Pastor Ted. You can change your name, move to a new state, go into hiding, or even try to off yourself. The shame will follow you forever. You see - you hurt people. They need to heal too you fucking hypocrite.

(Posted while listing to The Wrens - The House That Guilt Built - The Meadowlands)

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, hypocrisy, evangelicals

The purges continue at Haggard's New Life Church

Another pastor, another week, and another sex scandal. New LIfe sounds like a nice church, it really does.

A pastor who worked with young adults at New Life Church has resigned after admitting sexual misconduct and other mistakes just weeks after former church leader Ted Haggard stepped down over sexual immorality, church officials said.

Christopher Beard, who headed the TwentyFourSeven ministry that taught leadership skills to young adults, resigned Friday after admitting sexual misconduct and other mistakes, said Rob Brendle, an associate pastor at the 14,000-member church.

Source: Pastor At Haggard's Church Resigns Over Sexual Misconduct - News

The next to go will be those who've had carnal thoughts...

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, New Life Chruch, Christopher Beard

Haggard cruised adult bookstores

Hat tip to my favorite nutball fundamentalist Dani

Mike Jones wasn't the only one to get regular visits from Art.

Dani noticed an article by Patricia Calhoun published on November 9th, 2006. The article alleges that Haggard visited an infamous Denver adult bookstore called the Crypt.

...where "Art" was a regular customer, spending a couple hundred dollars a month on sex toys, according to a former clerk. He bought "mass quantities" of cock rings, the clerk remembers, as well as an electrical unit designed to stimulate the urethra. One time he wanted some "very graphic and gay" videos, but the store was out of the titles, so "Art" left a number where the clerk could reach him. The number is the same one that Jones called last Wednesday to warn Haggard that they needed to talk.

Source: Denver Westword - Mike Jones wasn't the only one to get regular visits from Art.

OK, so this is not what I would call creditable at this point. Let's just call "Art's" activities alleged. It is one of those things that we want to believe, because it sounds right, but could just be additional rumor and innuendo. It actually seems less likely to me because it too public and Haggard is well known. The chances of Haggard frequenting an adult bookstore without getting caught are pretty slim.

Always a skeptic!

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, evangelicals

Evangelical leaders knew Haggard was gay

In the interest of politics, evangelical leaders did nothing. Can there be any worse hypocrisy then selling your soul for political gain?

Then, as if things could not get worse, there was the disgrace of Sheldon’s own friend and colleague, Rev. Ted Haggard, the Colorado mega-church leader and president of the National Association of Evangelicals, an even bigger pillar of Republican support on the Christian right. Sheldon disclosed that he and “a lot” of others knew about Haggard’s homosexuality “for awhile ... but we weren’t sure just how to deal with it.”

Months before a male prostitute publicly revealed Haggard’s secret relationship with him, and the reverend’s drug use as well, “Ted and I had a discussion,” explained Sheldon, who said Haggard gave him a telltale signal then: “He said homosexuality is genetic. I said, no it isn’t. But I just knew he was covering up. They need to say that.”

Source: Jewish Week: Christian Right Agenda in Shambles After GOP Defeat

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, evangelicals, Louis Sheldon

Haggard's a catcher

Mike Jones gave an interview to Jack E. Jett of RADAR. It is an interesting read. Jones claims haggard was on the receiving end of the relationship. Jones also thinks Haggard is gay.

Is it safe to assume that Haggard's a bottom? Maybe a power bottom, but a bottom nonetheless.

When people see him, the first impression is, Oh my god, he looks gay. When they were having the service at his church and reading his apology letter, all the reporters that were there came back to me and said, "You know what, Mike? It's really strange. All the guys that were up on stage were young, good-looking men."

Bottom, or power bottom?

Well, let me just say ... yes, bottom.

Reverend James Dobson, of Focus on the Family, basically said he didn't have time to help save this man, who had been one of his closest friends—

Dobson doesn't want any connection with him. Since this happened, lots of people have asked me if I think [Haggard] is gay. My answer to that is yes.

Source: Features : Radar Online

Its all kind of base, discussing the sexual proclivities of a fallen pastor, but it is relevant. Haggard appears to be a gay man living a lie.

On another note, Mike Jones does not appear to be the brightest light in the window. He complains about being unemployed - ah.. hello, literary agent.

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, Mike Jones, James Dobson

Some good comes from Haggard's fall

Jesus Camp will be closed! Becky Fischer is pulling the plug in part because of the role Haggard played in the documentary about the evangelical brainwashing summer camp located Bismarck, North Dakota,. Jesus Camp was also closed in part because of the overwhelmingly negative reaction to the film (Fischer actually thought people would think highly of her efforts), and local vandalism blamed on reaction to the documentary.

In one scene, directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady visit Haggard's 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. He tells the vast audience, "We don't have to debate about what we should think about homosexual activity. It's written in the Bible."

Then Haggard looks into the camera and says kiddingly: "I think I know what you did last night," drawing laughs from the crowd. "If you send me a thousand dollars, I won't tell your wife."

Source: The Seattle Times: Pastor will shut down controversial kids camp

Thanks Ted!

Technorati tags: Jesus Camp, evangelicals, Ted Haggard

Meth and Man Ass

A tribute to my favorite homophobic hypocrite pastor Ted Haggard. Meth and Man Ass by Paul Hipp at the Huffington Post.

Meth and Man Ass the video is due out next week. Stay tuned!

Hat tip: Beep Beep! It's Me

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, Paul Hipp, Meth, Music

Dobson quits as Haggard counselor

 I suspected that something like this would happen:

Citing a lack of time, Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson withdrew from the team overseeing counseling for the Rev. Ted Haggard, the evangelical pastor embroiled in a scandal involving a male prostitute and illegal drugs.

Source: Dobson quits as Haggard counselor - Los Angeles Times

You see, Ted Haggard has admitted to a lifelong obsession with men. If Haggard has been struggling his whole life, the chances of Dobson being able to "heal" Haggard are pretty slim. Since Dobson believe Homosexuality can be "cured", the risk of failure is high. I think Dobson is backing away from Haggard because the risk of failure will expose Dobson's anti-gay agenda as a fraud.

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, James Dobson, evangelicals

Pastor Ted Haggard liked to "stake out" gay bars

Because, you know, that way he could bring them back to church and um... save them. 

He was always on the lookout for spies. At the time, Colorado Springs was a small city split between the Air Force and the New Age, and the latter, Pastor Ted believed, worked for the devil. Pastor Ted soon began upsetting the devil's plans. He staked out gay bars, inviting men to come to his church...

Source: Soldiers of Christ (Harpers.org)

Harpers ran a story on Haggard and his flock of sheeple a year ago. It seems funny that Pastor Ted's emphasis on saving gays from themselves, was just a cover to have a little fun on the side. How long was this man leading his flock of sheeple astray?

How thick were Haggard's web of lies? From the very beginning of his ministry his proclivities were in evidence. Yet, as with most hypocrites, the person Haggard wanted to be was hidden behind a mask of contempt. Yet he led men and had access to the President, he influenced policy. How many of the state led fights to repeal or limit gay marriage rights were hatched by this man and his cronies? And now we are supposed to have pity? Forgiveness? Compassion? Oh hell no.

 

Technorati tags: Ted Haggard, evangelicals, gay rights

The forces of evil

I've been saving this one. James Dobson's response to the initial news of ex-Pastor Ted Haggard's fall from grace was to blame the forces of evil who were hell bent on disrupting the election. It is all about the votes baby, all about the votes.  

“It is unconscionable that the legitimate news media would report a rumor like this based on nothing but one man’s accusation. Ted Haggard is a friend of mine and it appears someone is trying to damage his reputation as a way of influencing the outcome of Tuesday’s election — especially the vote on Colorado’s marriage-protection amendment — which Ted strongly supports.

“He has shown a great deal of grace under these unfortunate circumstances, quickly turning this matter over to his church for an independent investigation. That is a testament to the character I have seen him exhibit over and over again through the years.”

Source: Dvorak Uncensored » Lest We Forget… James Dobson’s Attack on the Media for Even Reporting the Ted Haggard Story

Is it really unconscionable that legitimate news media would report hypocrisy? Especially given James Haggard's access to the president, his stance on gay rights, and his dominionist political agenda. Exposing scandals and hypocrisy is exactly what the press is needed for. The power of the press helps keep the politicos in power honest. Exposing Haggard, and the many other powerful political elites who have been running amok, is the value of the press.

Dobson is a political hack, interested only in pushing his agenda of hate. It give me great hope to see him and the others of his ilk fumble the end game. I have hope...

 

Technorati tags: James Dobson, Ted Haggard, eangelicals, hypocrisy, evil

Dobson's relevance is waning

Two days until the election and Dobson is failing to an impact. I have some reason to hope. Perhaps Dobson agenda of hate is drawing to a close.

James Dobson showed to a crowd of a few hundred, in the venue that holds 2500. Dobson filled stadiums back in 2004 when he was stumping for Thune and brought his hate-fest message to town. Dobson's relevance is waning and the recent scandal surrounding his partner in the "values" crusade Ted Haggard really makes Dobson look like a total idiot. While the head of the Evangelical churches and partner in crime for Dobson has been exposed in the last week for his three year involvement with a gay prostitute, Dobson tried to again pass off his "hate gay people" marriage garbage.

Source: Coat Hangers At Dawn: 11/01/2006 - 11/30/2006

 

Technorati tags: James Dobson, Elections, politics, Eangelicals