Should Haggard go to jail?

Question

He's admitted to buying illegal drugs and of soliciting a prostitute.

Should doing the Jimmy "The Crybaby" Swaggart thing be enough?

I'm sure if the tables were turned, he'd expect others to pay for their sins.

Answer 1

If he broke the law, then he should be prosecuted accordingly. Religion has nothing to do with that.

Answer 2

Your's is a legal question, not a religious, or spiritual one.

Legally he probably (I write probably because am not experienced with the Colorado criminal justice code) could be prosecuted for both buying illegal drugs, and soliciting prostitutes. So far only a charge of buying illegal drugs would have a real chance of standing. That is the only one that he admitted to. But since he hasn't officially made a confession to the police, he could always retract his statement. Also, if he is prosecuted for making this statement, then at least half of Hollywood and most individuals who have entered a drug rehab clinic are open to the same charge.

The charge of soliciting is his word against the male prostitute's. The problem with that one is that the male prostitute admitted to being involved in the sex trade (which means that he is a criminal). At the very best his word is equal to Mr. Haggard, but definitely no more trustworthy. He has already admitted to waiting to bring this information out so as to effect the election.

A couple side notes: you aren't "sure" what would happen if the tables were turned. You can "guess," "suppose," "surmise" and even "assume," but you definately can't be sure what this guy would have done. Also, if Mr. Haggard was to go to jail it would be to pay for his crimes, not his sins.

It is funny. You probably dislike this guy because you think that he is judgemental, but in three short sentences you made one false statements about him and judged what he would do.

Answer 3

Legal conviction cannot be made solely on a persons confession without forensic evidence.
Haggard is paying a price for his sins, and will continue to pay a price for the sins. Do you think there will ever be a day when he does not think of his sin, and weep? Do you think there will ever be a day when he will be able to look his wife and kids in the eye, and not hang his head in shame?
Haggard will never again hold a position of leadership or responsibility in the church, mostly because his testimony will carry this huge scarlet mark forever.
Someday we won't remember Haggard's name, but Haggard will never forget, neither will his wife, children, or grandchildren.
God forgives as soon as we repent, but there are still penalties that come with sin, the natural consequences of our actions.
"The Crybaby" thing is not what Haggard has done, he has submitted himself to Focus on the Family and to other trusted Christian leadership for discipline, accountability, and restoration. He's on the right track for now.

Answer 4

No. Absolutely not. That is how hate-mongers think. "Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

This must be the most difficult crises in this man's life. Think of what he has lost, and the pain and anguish that has surely engulfed him. He has lost his reputation, his privacy, his career, his self-confidence, his wife and family's trust, the trust and esteem of those who shared his faith. He has to live with knowing the hurt he has caused his innocent loved ones. This is a burden which borders on being too much for a mere mortal human being. Put yourself in his shoes, and have a little mercy for God's sake.

What he has hopefully gained is liberation from that burden of hypocrisy that he had carried around all of his life. It is as though the Truth did set him free, and in this way he is far ahead of the creepy and hypocritical hate-mongers who are sitting in judgement of him. They are human beings, too, and I'm sure that they are not without their faults--one day, God will bring them to account for themselves, and he will use the very basis to judge them, that they used so self-righteously in judging Pastor Haggard.

Sure, what he did was wrong. But aren't all wrongdoers? He has confessed his wrongs, but his accusers continue in theirs. When the accounts are balanced, who then will be punished and who exonerated. He should be afforded forgiveness and our earnest prayers for his healing and that of his family and friends. Isn't that what you would want if the shoe were on the other foot? So, that is the Christian's response, not condeming, judging and name-calling when a person is down.

I hope you understand.

Answer 5

Mr. Haggard was wrong but God will hand out his Punishment on him. See we have to remember that he is man and not God. A couple of years ago, I was hurt and in dismay when I heard about Rev. Jesse Jackson having affair and had a offspring through this. I couldn't understand that a man of God and do such a thing but reading the bible, God says "don't put your trust in man" my take on it was that we are in the flesh and sometime our flesh is so weak that we fell into temptation and we will always fall short of the Glory of God...But he with no sin, shall through the first stone.

Answer 6

He admitted to buying drugs and having them in his possession. I don't see why they aren't both in jail. Him and the male prostitute. All i can say is that Haggard is a bad liar. If you look at him deny having sex with that man he looks down and to the right. That's a first class tell for a lie.

Answer 7

If he indeed did something illegal, then yes, he should go to jail. I think it's appalling that this man used his position to hide behind his activities. My only thought on this matter is that I hope he gets the whole truth out in the open so that he can start getting things right with everyone he's hurt with his actions. <*)))><

Answer 8

Maybe he will start his own evangelical gay order. I would think that he'll most likely retire somewhere else. Maybe he'll change his name too.Is firing him hypocritical of fellow christians after so many years of service? It's ironic that a male prostitute has also become a 'Whistle Blower" too. What an unlikely hero.It sounds like he has already been paying for his sins.Maybe now he'll retire on them.

Answer 9

1 Cor.15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Answer 10

If he goes then Bill Clinton should go, or over 3/4's of Hollywood. Pick one. Maybe we should dig up Nixon and throw him in jail. Moral issues especially for Christians have their own punishment. Father God always repremands His wayward children. Just ask Swyaggart or Baker or Tammy Faye or many more that you have not heard of.

Answer 11

the way the laws are written, technically he shouldn't go to jail but he should disappear and keep his mouth shut. He should be honest with himself for the first time in his life, find a man, move to San Francisco and live happily ever after.