What do you think of Ted Haggard's newest confession?

Question

Haggard confesses to 'lifelong' sexual problem

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (CNN) -- Less than 24 hours after being fired from the mega-church he founded, evangelical Pastor Ted Haggard confessed to a "lifelong" sexual problem.

In a letter read to members of his New Life Church Sunday, Haggard said he is "a deceiver and a liar." Haggard apologized to his congregation in the letter and asked for their forgiveness.

"There is part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I've been warring against it all of my adult life," Haggard said in the letter read by Pastor Larry Stockstill, a member of the board of overseers of New Life Church. (Gallery)

On Saturday, members of the board ousted Haggard from the 14,000-member church, citing his "sexually immoral conduct." (Watch what led to Haggard's firing -- 2:40)

Mike Jones claims the prominent pastor paid him for sex over a three-year period.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/05/haggard.allegations/index.html

I'm a Christian (born again) and I just want people's opinions on the matter. It's an inflammatory subject, to be sure. But we don't have to get "inflamed" ourselves. I'd hope everyone can respect civil discussion. Thanks.

Answer 1

This guy may have all sorts of personal problems but for the life of me I can't see why so much attention is being paid to this bozo.

I am not surprised by his confession and wouldn't be surprised if he makes a few more. But quite frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

Answer 2

He seemed, at leat on the surface, to be a nice guy. But I guess he had a major conflict, he got rich and powerful by associating with a belief system that hated his dark side, so he repressed it. As any psychologist will tell you things you repress tend to come out in unsuitable places. I would hope that the church may become more tolerant, I doubt it. There is too much vested interest, money, power at stake. What will happen to Pastor Ted? He is beginning to come to terms with this. He has enough money I am sure to retire today. How much did his wife know about this? I can't believe she was not aware of his turmoil, at least on some level. Will she stand by his side? I don't know, this must be a sore test of her marriage vows. If I were her I would be very worried that her husband may have passed some STD on to her. I feel very sorry for her and wish her every strength.

Answer 3

I think the man's got problems he needs to deal with. If he were a layman, I'd say it were between him, his wife, and his pastor to deal with. Since he's a pastor, I think he should never have allowed himself to become a pastor. There's a higher standard for those in positions of authority, he knew he couldn't handle it, he should have stayed away. I know a guy who knows Hebrew and Greek, is making his own translation of the Bible, studies religion and philosophy daily, and I asked him why he doesn't want to be a pastor. He said, "I'm not qualified." I gasped, becaue he knows more than most pastors I know, and asked him to clarify. He told me, "Pastors are held to a higher standard. What I'm going to say, you're going to say that half the pastors you know aren't qualified then, but unqualified people filling the position doens't make me qualified. A pastor has to be above reproach. He has to have the illusion of righteousness. Current, not past. I've no problem with a pastor that used to be a drunk, I have problems with a pastor who is a drunk. I'm also okay with a pastor who struggles with a temptation. I struggle with a temptation. But a pastor cannot ever abuse his power or his name or his position, and must live his life in that power and name and position at all times, not just when he's in the pulpit." When I asked him what his problem was, he said he's a voyeur. The guy gets a little thrill out of looking up a girl's skirt. He resists. He doens't go looking for peep holes or setting up video cameras and such, just if he's in a place and looks out across a room and a girl is wearing a short skirt and not sitting properly, his eyes are drawn...

But really, that's nothing compared to what I see other pastors doing. But when I reflected on it, I think he's right. I think even that little thing is too much for a pastor. I think a pastor needs to be held to a higher standard. I think that a pastor needs to be above reproach, and that the first time something like this comes up, it needs to be dealt with harshly.

Also, I read in the paper that Mike Jones took a lie detector test and failed. Not all is as it seems. I still hink Haggard should have been held to a higher standard and needs to be delt with severly, but I don't think he was engaged in homosexul sex with Jones and I haven't heard if anyone has tested him for drugs.

Answer 4

The problem is that he looks at being gay as a "problem" and "repulsive and dark" - when it is just the way he is. I often wonder why the religious right talk SO MUCH against gays when it's only a tiny small part of the Bible and it's not even a choice, it's how someone is born.

It seems that those who protest the most are the ones who are closeted. It's so obvious that just being yourself is the best and healthiest thing and all this hate talk cloaked in "family values" and "religion" only causes pain and harm.

When will everyone grow up and just accept gays and give them rights the same way women now have rights and blacks now have rights? Why must we always find someone to exclude in a country where ALL people are created EQUAL and religion does not have anything to do with liberty.

And also: to everyone who wants to forgive Haggard and sympathize with him, great. But can you show that same compassion when it comes to gay people? Why not? Will you forgive this guy but still hate gays? If you are pure of heart you cannot have it both ways.

Answer 5

I commend him for stepping up to the plate and repenting of his sin. Of course, there are consequences for his actions and he obviously is reaping the harvest of the seed he has sown. Like someone said before me, Jesus is the head of the church, and God wants us to look to Him, not man. Man advises us, councils us, and exhorts us, but when it's all said and done, as the church we are responsible to seek after God. As far as Ted Haggard goes, Praise God his sin was exposed. Now he can get some council and healing. He's a mere man. We all fall short and in Gods eyes ones sin is no greater than the next. When we repent he removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. Lets pray that Ted Haggard is able to overcome his demons once in for all and that they don't fall back into darkness. Also, lets pray that those christians that struggle with this same issue will have a wake up call and will take authority over their issues lest they fall. God is a good God.

Answer 6

Not to justify his behavior at all, but how many people in his congregation were praying for him and trying to keep him accountable before this happened? Check out my blog below for an entry I just wrote about Ted Haggard.

Answer 7

He has done the right thing ! He did not run and hide or blame it on an addiction ! He did not look you in the eye and say " I DID NOT HAVE SEX WITH THAT MAN " . It is surprising that non Christians want to hang a Christian that has had a sexaul affair in private , but will defend to the hilt a sitting President`s immoral adulterous acts , saying that what one does in private and behind closed doors is no ones` business ? Go figure ?

Answer 8

Well, we all have sin in our lives, and everyone who hasn't had a public scandal over their sin ought to thank God that it is so.

We should all say, "There but by the grace of God, go I."

I wonder how those here in Y!A who are rejoicing in Ted Haggard's personal failure would stand up to the kind of scrutiny he is enduring.

Answer 9

Give him a little credit. It may have been late but at least he finally came clean.

Makes you wonder how the poor guy felt when he looked in the mirror after one of his God hates gays sermons.

It must have been awful to feel like that big of a hypocrite.

Jesus ask us to love even the hypocrites. I guess Ted qualifies, so we got to do what Jesus said and try to love him.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 10

Yeah, Paul had a thorn in his side too, but he was strong enough in faith to not give in to it.

He did wrong, just like all of us. He's paying the penalty for that; he can no longer be in a pastoral position, probably ever. Now you will find out who has faith and who does not.

If he truly repents and discontinues his sinful ways then he is a man of God who failed and got back up on his feet. If he does not, then we will know his faith was faked.

Don't forget the congregation too, their faith is being tested now; if they truly do have strong leadership as one member interviewed said, then they will come out not even smelling of ashes :)