NationStates Jolt Archive


Evangelical Leader Steps Down Amid Gay Rumors

Rhaomi
03-11-2006, 01:49
"Evangelical leader Ted Haggard accused of gay affair" (http://www.weartv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/3fbd312f-www.weartv.com.shtml).

I just can't get enough of the hypocrisy of the Christian Right... it's like a drug.

Think of the implications... this scandal could be enough to dissuade the evangelicals from going to the polls next week -- even from backing political agendas entirely. They should know better than to associate their supposedly righteous religions with something as corrupt and illicit as high-power politics, anyway.

Your thoughts?
The Nazz
03-11-2006, 01:56
And there's voice mails and a letter too, apparently. The fact that his fellow ministers backed out of a presser at the last minute doesn't bode well for his denial, I'd say.
Turquoise Days
03-11-2006, 01:57
Methinks he doth protest too much.
JuNii
03-11-2006, 02:01
"Evangelical leader Ted Haggard accused of gay affair" (http://www.weartv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/3fbd312f-www.weartv.com.shtml).

I just can't get enough of the hypocrisy of the Christian Right... it's like a drug.

Think of the implications... this scandal could be enough to dissuade the evangelicals from going to the polls next week -- even from backing political agendas entirely. They should know better than to associate their supposedly righteous religions with something as corrupt and illicit as high-power politics, anyway.

Your thoughts?

Mike Jones of Denver told the Associated Press that Haggard paid him to have sex nearly every month over three years. The 49-year-old Jones said he had advertised himself as an escort on the Internet and that a man who called himself Art contacted him. Jones said he later saw the man on television identified as Haggard. Jones said he has voice mails and other evidence to back his allegations, but didn't make any of it available to the A-P.

Gee, I've seen people that look so much like me that they could be my twin (but aren't) I've seen people that look like other people I know, but are not. untill those voice mails become known and examined, other evidence, or another 'witness' comes forward... My thoughts are Meh.

And there's voice mails and a letter too, apparently. The fact that his fellow ministers backed out of a presser at the last minute doesn't bode well for his denial, I'd say.
and with all the Gay Scandal rocking the Catholic Church, it could just be the church over reacting to the rumors.
Apollynia
03-11-2006, 02:04
Ted Haggard, arrogant far-right nutbar Christian Evangelist has just been revealed to have been paying a man named Mike Jones cash for GAY SEX for months.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061102/ap_on_re_us/haggard_sex_allegations

Idiot Evangelism is crashing to the ground. Catholicism in Europe is already dead, and the vile child molestors they have stashed across North America have eviscerated their numbers in the coming generation. Between the Intelligent Design fiasco, the fact that less than a third of Baptists attend any church weekly, or that on average less than 10% of any Americans attend church every week, now Protestantism is at least at its knees.

The architects of the Dark Ages are being emasculated by scandal and the rise of secular reason. This is your death knell, American Evangelism. This man was worth millions- literally millions -as a fundraiser and political activist. Now he has been caught engaging in both sodomy and prostitution- both of which the Bible says are CAPITAL OFFENSES. The judges have shot down their agenda, and now their leadership has shot itself in the foot.

I salute Mike Jones for his bravery in coming forwards. No doubt the dunces will shortly be rallying in a confederacy to bombard this man with hate and death threats.

Huzzah, I say. And good riddance, you 'homophobic,' mysogenist, far-right wing hawkish criminal liar. I hope your followers convert to Satanism and spit on your grave after you kill yourself, Ted Haggard. You have ruined lives and participated in the rigging of the American political process towards unreasoned Christian stupidity. You deserve every bad thing that will come out of this. So does anybody who defends him.

Leviticus indeed.
Swilatia
03-11-2006, 02:09
unfortunately, catholicism is not yet dead in Poland.
Quinntonian Dra-pol
03-11-2006, 02:16
So, aside from the accusations of one man on a radio, so far we have no evidence either way, right? The other evidence definately needs to come to light prior to judgement of this man, shouldn't it?

I mean, if he is guilty of engaging in a practice that is expressly opposed by the people he is ministering to and the church that he runs, he should step down, and hopefully have a good life.

If not, hopefully those who have jumped on the "hypocrisy" band wagon perhapsneed to do a little self-examination. Judging a man before all the facts are in, isn't being judgemental one of the things that people constantly complain of in Christianity?

I think we should see this man in compassion, and until proven otherwise, uphold his integrity, just like we shoudl do with any of you.

WWJD
Amen.
Apollynia
03-11-2006, 02:22
Um, he quit a seven-figure salary as soon as the allegations came out. That's a teensy-tiny signal that he's hoping not to sink his own ship too badly.
Mac Suibhne
03-11-2006, 02:32
The architects of the Dark Ages are being emasculated by scandal and the rise of secular reason

Note that Irish monks essentially saved literacy and civilization during the Dark Ages.

You won't bring a religion "to its knees" because of some scandals. Note how Islam is doing quite fine, even though extremists continue to kill themselves and others contrary to the tenets in the Qu'ran.

Shame on him and all hypocrites, the religious and otherwise.
Soviestan
03-11-2006, 07:57
Pot. Meet Kettle
Desperate Measures
03-11-2006, 08:05
Christians should really allow priests to use their intelligently designed penises for what they were intended for, aside from peeing (they are allowed to pee, right?). All this commotion got boring about a few centuries ago.
Rhaomi
03-11-2006, 23:30
Update: Haggard has admitted to receiving methamphetamines (but not taking them), and taking a back massage from a gay prostitute (but not having sex with him).

I wonder how Haggard defines "is"...
Kecibukia
03-11-2006, 23:33
I believe him when he says he was just getting a back massage. He just neglects to inform that it is his LOWER back (much lower) and that it included his prostate.
Zilam
03-11-2006, 23:38
Good, this is the true face of the right winged evangelical movement. I keep telling people that these big time preachers are nothing but trouble, but no one will listen.. like talking to a damned wall!
Kecibukia
03-11-2006, 23:39
Good, this is the true face of the right winged evangelical movement. I keep telling people that these big time preachers are nothing but trouble, but no one will listen.. like talking to a damned wall!

What? Where you saying something?

:headbang:
Zilam
03-11-2006, 23:43
What? Where you saying something?

:headbang:



Me (http://www.firstfoot.com/greatscotsmen/images/hangman.gif)as a result of people being silly
Linthiopia
03-11-2006, 23:46
I have one thing to say... HAH!
Prussische
04-11-2006, 04:50
Ted Haggard, arrogant far-right nutbar Christian Evangelist has just been revealed to have been paying a man named Mike Jones cash for GAY SEX for months.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061102/ap_on_re_us/haggard_sex_allegations

Idiot Evangelism is crashing to the ground. Catholicism in Europe is already dead, and the vile child molestors they have stashed across North America have eviscerated their numbers in the coming generation. Between the Intelligent Design fiasco, the fact that less than a third of Baptists attend any church weekly, or that on average less than 10% of any Americans attend church every week, now Protestantism is at least at its knees.

The architects of the Dark Ages are being emasculated by scandal and the rise of secular reason. This is your death knell, American Evangelism. This man was worth millions- literally millions -as a fundraiser and political activist. Now he has been caught engaging in both sodomy and prostitution- both of which the Bible says are CAPITAL OFFENSES. The judges have shot down their agenda, and now their leadership has shot itself in the foot.

I salute Mike Jones for his bravery in coming forwards. No doubt the dunces will shortly be rallying in a confederacy to bombard this man with hate and death threats.

Huzzah, I say. And good riddance, you 'homophobic,' mysogenist, far-right wing hawkish criminal liar. I hope your followers convert to Satanism and spit on your grave after you kill yourself, Ted Haggard. You have ruined lives and participated in the rigging of the American political process towards unreasoned Christian stupidity. You deserve every bad thing that will come out of this. So does anybody who defends him.

Leviticus indeed.


92% of Americans are non-Atheist, and 80% call themselves Christians. You can keep your 10% nonsense to yourself.

Why are Christians not going to Church? Because the major Churches have betrayed their origins, much like the Democratic party turned on it's conservative base and veered left. Churches these days are accepting Gays, allowing Women-Ministers, babbling about multiculturalism - It's truly an evil time.

As for this guy, if he's a fag, then that's too bad - he can contemplate his foolishness burning in hell for eternity. As for the rest of us, Protestantism is not one Church, like Catholicism. The only thing that unites us Protestants is our dislike of Catholicism.

So, I can safely say this guy is NOT a member of my Church (because I don't belong to one; I read my own damn Bible, because I don't like the spin these nuevo preachers put on it. You could call me a Traditional Lutheran though). The actions of one bad apple don't condemn an entire Church, and the acts of one Church don't condemn Protestantism as a whole.

It is my belief that all these devout Christians who can't stand modern Churches would flock to a real, Traditional, old-timey affair, were it to exist, and therefore their lack of attendance is irrelevant.

'Twas Christianity brought us out of the Dark Ages, and tis such that shall lead us out of these new dark ages.
Kinda Sensible people
04-11-2006, 04:55
Poor guy.

Can you imagine having your entire life demolished because of your sexual preferances?

I'm trying to hold back my schadenfreude here, but somehow it keeps slipping out. ;)
Caelodonia
04-11-2006, 11:50
As for this guy, if he's a fag, then that's too bad - he can contemplate his foolishness burning in hell for eternity. As for the rest of us, Protestantism is not one Church, like Catholicism. The only thing that unites us Protestants is our dislike of Catholicism.

And worshiping the same god and His son and, at least nominally, following their teachings, surely? Or are those not really important enough parts of Christianity to warrant a mention when listing unifying themes common to all Christian denominations?
Vegan Nuts
04-11-2006, 11:53
And worshiping the same god and His son and, at least nominally, following their teachings, surely? Or are those not really important enough parts of Christianity to warrant a mention when listing unifying themes common to all Christian denominations?

no, modern christianity has nothing to do with worship, as this unfortunate fellow has amply demonstrated (refering both to the preacher and the guy you're responding to)
Southeastasia
04-11-2006, 13:36
Ah, the stench of fresh human hypocrisy....lovely, isn't it?
Rhaomi
04-11-2006, 18:21
Churches these days are accepting Gays, allowing Women-Ministers, babbling about multiculturalism - It's truly an evil time. As for this guy, if he's a fag, then that's too bad - he can contemplate his foolishness burning in hell for eternity. As for the rest of us, Protestantism is not one Church, like Catholicism. The only thing that unites us Protestants is our dislike of Catholicism. The actions of one bad apple don't condemn an entire Church

Well, it's good to see that you're doing your part.
Ifreann
04-11-2006, 18:24
unfortunately, catholicism is not yet dead in Poland.

Nor is it dead in Ireland. Though I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
Neo Sanderstead
04-11-2006, 18:59
I just can't get enough of the hypocrisy of the Christian Right... it's like a drug.


Have you ever heard it said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

He steped down from his position because he had compromised the values of those who supported him. Seems like the hounarable thing to do to me.
Ifreann
04-11-2006, 19:01
Have you ever heard it said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone"

He steped down from his position because he had compromised the values of those who supported him. Seems like the hounarable thing to do to me.

The honourable thing to do would to have not compromised them in the first place, or to have resigned immediately after compromising them(rather than wait for the press to latch onto it).
Prussische
04-11-2006, 19:01
And worshiping the same god and His son and, at least nominally, following their teachings, surely? Or are those not really important enough parts of Christianity to warrant a mention when listing unifying themes common to all Christian denominations?

No, those unite all forms of Christianity, Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. I was referring ONLY to Protestantism, not to the other two sects, nor Christianity as a whole. Furthermore, the above is so obvious as to be taken for granted when discussing any form of Christianity.
Rhaomi
04-11-2006, 19:02
He steped down from his position because he had compromised the values of those who supported him.
It's the fact that he compromised those values so severely -- after working relentlessly to denounce and vilify anyone else who did -- that makes it so deliciously hypocritical. You agree, no?
Neo Sanderstead
04-11-2006, 19:03
Good, this is the true face of the right winged evangelical movement. I keep telling people that these big time preachers are nothing but trouble, but no one will listen.. like talking to a damned wall!

He steped down. Stop flogging a dead horse.

Surely it would be far more hypocritical if he stayed in his position in spite of the evidence. He's done the descent thing, leave him be
Prussische
04-11-2006, 19:05
Ah, the stench of fresh human hypocrisy....lovely, isn't it?

Ah, the rank stench of Secular Humanism... Well, it's a rank stench so what, did you expect me to say it was lovely? Pah!
Potarius
04-11-2006, 19:06
Ah, the rank stench of Secular Humanism... Well, it's a rank stench so what, did you expect me to say it was lovely? Pah!

You're funny. Listen to Prussian Blue much? :p
Neo Sanderstead
04-11-2006, 19:07
It's the fact that he compromised those values so severely -- after working relentlessly to denounce and vilify anyone else who did -- that makes it so deliciously hypocritical. You agree, no?

Not really.

Christians are not perfect, nor have they ever pretened to be. He has done something wrong, and thus he has left the position that he held. The fact is that what he has done is not wrong, but if he was preaching a message that was devoid of forgiveness he was doing something wrong. It is not wrong to state your beliefs on a matter, but as a Christian, the belief that X is a sin should not be preached in isolation of the fact that Jesus will forgive you if you ask him to with sincerity in three points
- I'm sorry for my sins
- Thank you for forgiving me through what you did on the cross
- I will attempt (but may not always succeed) to live better for you
Kyronea
04-11-2006, 20:11
"Evangelical leader Ted Haggard accused of gay affair" (http://www.weartv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/3fbd312f-www.weartv.com.shtml).

I just can't get enough of the hypocrisy of the Christian Right... it's like a drug.

Think of the implications... this scandal could be enough to dissuade the evangelicals from going to the polls next week -- even from backing political agendas entirely. They should know better than to associate their supposedly righteous religions with something as corrupt and illicit as high-power politics, anyway.

Your thoughts?
I think this is downright hilarious. I was in Colorado Springs one time and met this guy. We got into a debate about morals and pushing them on others, and gay rights and whatnot, and I thoroughly flustered him at every turn. He finally just screamed that I was Devil Spawn or something and stomped off.
Rhaomi
05-11-2006, 18:35
'Nother update: Haggard admits to homosexual relations not just with his accuser, but throughout his life, in what he describes as a "lifelong sexual problem."

Gee, I wonder if this scandal was caused by alcohol, too...

(No link, btw. It's still on the CNN breaking news ticker.)
Pyotr
05-11-2006, 18:41
Ah, the sweet smell of hypocrisy, Nothing quite like it on sunday morning.
Lunatic Goofballs
05-11-2006, 18:50
"Evangelical leader Ted Haggard accused of gay affair" (http://www.weartv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.national/3fbd312f-www.weartv.com.shtml).

I just can't get enough of the hypocrisy of the Christian Right... it's like a drug.

Think of the implications... this scandal could be enough to dissuade the evangelicals from going to the polls next week -- even from backing political agendas entirely. They should know better than to associate their supposedly righteous religions with something as corrupt and illicit as high-power politics, anyway.

Your thoughts?

This is what happens when people deny their nature: pain and deception. That's far more unchristian than boinking other men. *nod*
Glorious Freedonia
06-11-2006, 18:40
I think that gays are as disturbing but even they are so much better than born agains and hypocrites.