Last week Pastor Ted Haggard admitted to sexual misconduct and the purchase of illegal drugs. Will forgive him because he is a christian or hold him to his wrong doings?
2006-11-11 16:20:14 · 13 answers · asked by aviana_snowwolfe 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He will hold himself responsible, it is not our place to judge or forgive an action that did not victimize us...
2006-11-11 16:22:03 · answer #1 · answered by Shinkirou Hasukage 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Wrong doings"? He broke the law when he bought drugs. That's not up to God or us to judge, but the criminal justice system. He lied. He lied repeatedly to the millions of people that placed their complete trust in him. And he's a hypocrite. All the gay bashing, the political influence, the accusations and pain he caused, when he himself is a homosexual.
Ask yourself if you forgive other gay men and women and "welcome them back into the flock". Ask yourself if you forgive other meth users and addicts. Ask yourself if you forgive compulsive liars and hypocrites. If so, then sure, forgive him. He can be forgiven by Christians while he rots in jail.
But also consider the source of his vehement rejection of homosexuality. Was it really the bible, or his own self loathing? Was it spirituality, or guilt? Was it goodness or fear? God, or the devil? Look at Mark Foley, another anti-gay crusader with a secret double life. Consider whether Jesus, the man of compassion and understanding, would condone the vile hatred of fellow men that is so often the hallmark of these ultra-conservatives.
And the next time a Ted Haggard or Mark Foley stridently works to convince you of the rightness of their point of view (and the wrongness of others), ask yourself whether they are doing God's work or just using you to bury their own secrets.
A better question is, "Is a lying, hypocritical criminal who uses Christianity and the trust of the faithful for his own selfish ends really a Christian?"
2006-11-12 00:47:38 · answer #2 · answered by AnotherNickname 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians forgive, period. No matter whether the person is another Christian or not.
Rev. Haggard has asked for forgiveness from all involved, plus some not so involve. I think it's a safe bet that he's asked God to forgive him, and an even safer bet that He has.
2006-11-12 00:37:21 · answer #3 · answered by azar_and_bath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we talked about this in church last sunday. all christians and all people for that matter sined and have fallen short of the glory of God. this doenst make them any less of a chrisitan. it simply means that they have done wrong and if they recognize that and ask God for forgivness then they will be forgiven. it is what christ will do for us. Mr. Haggard is not any less of a christian he has simply sinned as do all humans, christian or not.
2006-11-12 00:31:57 · answer #4 · answered by emily h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't forgive him because he is a christian. You forgive him because you are a christian. It is not our place to judge him. He will be dealt with by our lord in his own time. All we can do is forgive and move on. We treat him like we would want to be treated. Believe me god will handle him, but that is not are concern. Our concern is making in to the gates of heaven on judgment day
2006-11-12 00:28:21 · answer #5 · answered by Missy_Eye's 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to forgive is to forget..but you can not forget something that someone in that high power has done..he knew what he was doing was wrong..i'm sick and tired of all these Pastors out there thinking that just because they are behind the cloth, they can get away from anything..that they are invisable..GOD will judge
2006-11-12 00:25:15 · answer #6 · answered by becca j 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All and anyone should be forgiven, but yet held accountable. Each of us all shall be forgiven of our sins, but we must still ultimately reap the consequences. God does forgive the repentant, as should we. Excused does not mean exempt.... if you play, you shall pay!
2006-11-12 00:33:27 · answer #7 · answered by stevehesterman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word Christian means..... Follower of Christ since Jesus died for our sins.... there is a such thing as repentance and I think he will be forgiven, so who am I not to forgive as well? I want to follow Christ not walk in front of him.....
2006-11-12 00:28:45 · answer #8 · answered by Alicia S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're a pastor, you have responsibilities. One is to live by what you preach. He should be held accountable. I bet many felt cheated after his hypocrisy was found out.
2006-11-12 00:37:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
when he feels true guilt and really repents than sure, but youc ant say ok I feel bad or ok I repent it is a different process. I still may hold a grudge.
2006-11-12 00:30:47 · answer #10 · answered by Labatt113 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋