Christians, Instead of bashing men like Ted Haggard?

Question

Should we be bashing people who have slipped like Ted Haggard, or should we be reaching out to help them in their time of need??

Passionfire, I could not agree more that we do need to reach out to his followers. And we also need to reach out to him in his time of need, rather then abandoning him.

Answer 1

I don't think we need to bash anyone. Everyone is suceptable to sin. Pastors are human just like everyone else. Just look at king David and Sampson and Peter and Moses. Even Solomon. These guys all fell and they fell hard. The list is endless. The thing that separates Christians from the world is the fact that we Christians get back up when we fall. I also rember a quote from the Bible "He who has no sin, cast the first stone"

Answer 2

I wouldn't know Ted Haggard if I stumbled over him in an empty field with a Ted Haggard sign with a photo id tied around his neck. However, these scandal-mongers need to be de-frocked or whatever it's called for good. If he repents, he can stay as part of the church, but no more ministry.

Answer 3

there is nothing wrong with wanting to help someone when they ahve faultered. But, when it comes to someone such as Ted Haggard, I feel like it needs to be held a little differently. He was not a family member or a man on the street. This was someone who praised himself daily for being a speaker of god. He was a preacher for god's words and teachings. He had a responsibility to control himself. He spoke god's words everyday, building confidence and unity in people who were willing to listen to him. Don't you feel even the slightest bit betrayed by this man? I would if I were christian. I can't imagine how the children who listened to his teachings are feeling now. I say let Ted and god deal with what has been done, let him live the rest of his life repenting. Concentrate your energy on the people who will start to question their beliefs because of this, help them to see that the actions of one man should not change their faith. Help them to understand that you can forgive Ted without ever forgetting what he has done. That way they can understand why it is so important to live a life rich with morals and integrity, not rich with drugs and self gratification

Answer 4

He never reached out to help a gay person or couple in their time of need, but rather condemned their lifestyle, banned them from the church, tried to force them into "treatment" to change their orientation, and encouraged thousands and thousands of people to ostracize them.

He is now facing the consequences of his hypocrisy, and while we are all fallen humans, I don't think calling him to account for his actions amounts to pointless "bashing." God alone will judge him spiritually, but his followers and critics have a right to judge his actions.

Answer 5

I only know of the nonChristians whom are bashing him and saying things against Christians as a whole. But I see more people praying for him and telling others to do the same. Although I don't agree with what he did, it was very brave of him to out himself. But it's God who is to do the judging.

Answer 6

Last I checked, it wasn't the christians who were bashing him

Answer 7

OMG OMG you should be doing more then bashing these people, you should be routing them out of your religion! Rather then trying to cover it up, play it down or make excuses!

Answer 8

If their agenda is to deny millions of people simple legal rights, then it is our duty to bash them both before AND after they are found to be a hypocrite!

Answer 9

I think it depends on what stage Haggard is in. I think he is still in denial about who he is and what he has done. Untill he is honest with himself, he might need external pressure to come clean.

Answer 10

I think when you set yourself up as "the voice of 30 million people" and then you engage in the very thing you persecute others about....you would deserve a little dogging.