Is Anyone Actually Surprised?

[AgnosticBob AtheistPants]

So Ted Haggard, pastor of the megachurch "New Life Church" in Colorado Springs, CO who has a teleconference every Monday with our glorious leader, GeeDubya and is a hardline gay marriage opponent has apparently been having a "strictly physical" homosexual relationship for three years or so. The fucking hypocrite.

 

Haggard Admits Some 'Indiscretion,' Says Fellow Pastor

 

by Dan Harris

 

Nov. 3, 2006 — The president of the National Association of Evangelicals, who has resigned amid allegations that he had sex with a former self-described male prostitute, is now admitting to some indiscretions after initial denials, according to the acting senior pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado.

 

The Rev. Ted Haggard temporarily stepped down as the senior pastor at a 14,000-member megachurch in Colorado Springs, Colo., and resigned as the president of the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals on Thursday after the allegations surfaced.

 

Time magazine had named him one of the 25 most influential evangelicals, and Haggard has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage.

 

Haggard, a married father of five, had denied the allegations in a television interview, but Ross Parsley, the acting senior pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado, said he had admitted to some wrongdoing.

 

"I just know that there has been some admission of indiscretion, not admission to all of the material that has been discussed, but there is an admission of some guilt," Parsley told KKTV-TV of Colorado Springs.

 

Parsley did not give further details.

 

'Strictly Physical' Relationship Alleged

 

Haggard may not be a household name, but he is a major figure in evangelicalism in the country, with a direct line to the White House.

 

His prominence is now threatened by a man named Mike Jones, 49, who says he is a former gay prostitute and alleges that Haggard paid him for sex at regular intervals over a three-year period.

 

"He goes, 'A fantasy of mine is to have an orgy with about six young college guys ranging from 18 to 22 in age,'" Jones told KHOW-AM radio in Colorado.

 

"I will tell you it was not emotional. … Just strictly physical," Jones added.

 

Jones said he only learned of Haggard's true identity four months ago, when he saw him on television.

 

He said he came forward when he learned Haggard and his church were backing an anti-gay marriage initiative on the ballot Tuesday in Colorado.

 

"I had to expose the hypocrisy. He is in the position of influence of millions of followers, and he's preaching against gay marriage," Jones said. "But behind everybody's back doing what he's preached against."

 

Jones also said that Haggard did drugs.

 

"And he had told me he loved snorting meth before [he] has sex with his wife," Jones said.

 

Haggard's Alleged Voice Mails

 

Jones played for ABC News two voice-mail messages he says were left for him by Haggard.

 

He says Haggard used the pseudonym "Art."

 

The man on the tape says:

"Hi Mike, this is Art. Hey, I was just calling to see if we can get any more. Either a $100 or $200 supply. And I can pick it up really anytime tomorrow, or we can wait until next week sometime. And so, I also wanted to get your address so I can send you some money for inventory. But that's obviously not working, so if you have it go ahead and get what you can. I may buzz up there. I don't know, maybe even later today, but I don't know if your schedule would allow that unless you have some in the house. So, I'll check in with you later today. Thanks bye."

 

On the other voice mail, the man says:

 

"Hi Mike, this is Art. Hey, I am here in Denver. Sorry that I missed you. But as I said if you want to go ahead and get the stuff then that would be great. I'll get it sometime next week or the week after or whatever. I will call you though early next week and see what is most convenient to you. Ok, thanks a lot. Bye."

 

The voice mails played for ABC News did not contain any explicit mention of sex or drugs.

 

Jones told ABC News that the voice mails reflected Haggard's effort to have Jones buy meth for him.

 

Jones also told ABC News that he never actually procured drugs for Haggard.

 

In an interview with NBC affiliate KUSA late Wednesday, Haggard denied ever doing drugs and denied having sex with Jones.

 

"I have not, I have never had a gay relationship with anybody," Haggard said in the interview.

 

A day later, though, Haggard resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and voluntarily and temporarily stepped down as head of his own church, saying he wanted to allow for an independent investigation.

 

"I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership so that the overseer process can be allowed to proceed with integrity," Haggard said in a written statement. "I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail at a later date."

[LosingMyReligion]

Well, he always seemed a bit Nelly to me...So I wasn't shocked...lol.

 

However, my mom is literally depressed over this. She sent money to that son of a bitch...

 

I wonder will people be refunded? I doubt it.

[Kurari]

*headshakes* I guess it was only a matter of time. I hope more stuff like this keeps happening so people can finally see that they have worse problems than two people of the same gender getting married to think about.

[LostOrFound]

*headshakes* I guess it was only a matter of time. I hope more stuff like this keeps happening so people can finally see that they have worse problems than two people of the same gender getting married to think about.

 

We have a sex scandal here in Jax involving Bob Gray and Trinity Baptist Church. Gray is about 80 years old now but he pastored the mega-church for a number of years when I was growing up. Any Independent Baptists from the 70's and 80's probably knows of Bob Gray as it was one of the largest in the nation at the time.

 

Well, it turns out, the good pastor was molesting little girls the whole time - he said, "I only frenched kissed them" and one of the deacons said "we didn't know it was wrong to french kiss little girls back then." Yeah, right! Moron!

 

Anyway, it also looks like the church leaders and current pastor knew about his pedophilia as far back as the early 90's, if not longer, and covered it up. Nice.....

 

Here's a link to the story and video: Bob Gray Pedaphile Preacher

 

What a fucking loser!

[sithprincess]

This whole thing is sad to me..I actually feel sorry for him. I mean, how many pastors might be "in the closet" but just continue living a "normal" life because it's what's expected of them?

[Onyx]

What a hypocrite. Ted, just quit Christianity and be yourself... Yeah right.

[ShackledNoMore]

Surprised? Not in the least. Nauseated at his activism and using his imaginary god to rally to deny fundamental rights to a segment of the population, all under the context of his most revolting and sickening display of hypocrisy? Absolutely and completely.

[Ramen666]

I honestly never heard of the guy but I am following the story. I am never surprised though what Christians do anymore...really.

 

To me it is just another scandal I enjoy it when it happens because it rattles of the cages of Christianity a little. It spells out that what is the point of religion when your own pastor betrays it.

 

This should make some people question the point of religion in this megachurch I hear that he has.

[crazy-tiger]

Why should I be surprised that yet another hypocritical Christian has been caught out?

[Ramen666]

What does Dr. James Dobson say about this?

 

( I hate Christianity but this is like good dirt now on them, need popcorn and let the news keep coming in)

 

 

From cnn.com

 

Dobson: He's still my friend

But Focus on the Family founder James Dobson -- who had castigated the media Thursday for reporting Jones' allegations -- issued a statement Friday saying he was "heartsick" upon learning of Haggard's admissions.

 

"The possibility that an illicit relationship has occurred is alarming to us and to millions of others," Dobson said.

 

"He will continue to be my friend, even if the worst allegations prove accurate," he continued. "Nevertheless, sexual sin, whether homosexual or heterosexual, has serious consequences."

 

Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, a Washington-based conservative policy group, said he was "saddened to learn of these allegations of reprehensible behavior."

 

"In his position as a leader of the evangelical community, this personal tragedy has public ramifications, so we urge that a full accounting of the facts be swift and complete," he said in a statement.

 

In an interview Friday with CNN, Jones said he went public with his allegations because of Haggard's support for a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage that is on the ballot next week in Colorado.

 

"For someone who is up there preaching that marriage should only be between a man and a woman, and he's going behind his wife's back and seeing a gay man for sex -- I felt like I owed it to the gay community to expose the hypocrisy," Jones said.( Watch Jones describe how he and Haggard "hooked up" -- 7:26 )

[trashy]

Well, it turns out, the good pastor was molesting little girls the whole time - he said, "I only frenched kissed them" and one of the deacons said "we didn't know it was wrong to french kiss little girls back then." Yeah, right! Moron!

 

Anyway, it also looks like the church leaders and current pastor knew about his pedophilia as far back as the early 90's, if not longer, and covered it up. Nice.....

 

Here's a link to the story and video: Bob Gray Pedaphile Preacher

 

What a fucking loser!

I recently 'ran into' (as in, like hitting a wall) a young woman from Jacksonville. She once told a friend she lost track of how many boys she slept w/ in high school. I later discovered it was a Christian school so I thought she was exaggerating. But even now as a 33-year-old twice divorced mother she is highly promiscuous, preferring older men, most of whom are married. She once told me "You have NO IDEA how much I hurt."

 

The school she attended growing up was Trinity Christian. I can't help but wonder if she was called into this bastard's office as a young girl.......

 

It's one of the few times I wish hell existed.

[Gnosis of Disbelief]

Surprised? Um, no.

[scitsofreaky]

What does Dr. James Dobson say about this?

 

( I hate Christianity but this is like good dirt now on them, need popcorn and let the news keep coming in)

 

 

From cnn.com

 

Dobson: He's still my friend

But Focus on the Family founder James Dobson -- who had castigated the media Thursday for reporting Jones' allegations -- issued a statement Friday saying he was "heartsick" upon learning of Haggard's admissions.

 

"The possibility that an illicit relationship has occurred is alarming to us and to millions of others," Dobson said.

 

"He will continue to be my friend, even if the worst allegations prove accurate," he continued. "Nevertheless, sexual sin, whether homosexual or heterosexual, has serious consequences."

Um, serious consequences like being forgiven? I thought Christianity was about forgiveness, ie avoiding consequences.

Frankly I am surprised that Dobson will still be friends with him, or at least claim he will.

Well, it turns out, the good pastor was molesting little girls the whole time - he said, "I only frenched kissed them" and one of the deacons said "we didn't know it was wrong to french kiss little girls back then." Yeah, right! Moron!

[MeiPassion]

I'm not surprised.

 

I'm assuming that he was one of those "in the closet" homosexuals who was too afraid to come to terms with his own latent homosexuality. So, instead he just bashes gay people.

 

Hopefully this incident will take these holier-than-thou Christians down a peg or two. Once they realize they're no better than non-Christians.

[garrisonjj]

Well, he always seemed a bit Nelly to me...So I wasn't shocked...lol.

 

However, my mom is literally depressed over this. She sent money to that son of a bitch...

 

I wonder will people be refunded? I doubt it.

 

 

Surprised? Fuck. Its about time for another priest to make the headlines for preaching purity while fucking up some innocent youth. Another reason to say fuck off to all religion!

[KT45]

Haggard denies using drugs and having sex with the man. Here is the interview.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saUJmn1eyKg&NR

 

Is he lying? You decide....

 

My vote is yes. He nods when he says "no"

[Vigile]

The big question is, is why would anyone be surprised that a human would behave like a human. What Haggard did was not wrong. If he is gay, then his nature was in conflict with his belief system. We as ex christians know that nature is stronger than belief and that the conflict between the two causes one much emotional pain and internal struggle. Hopefully he will deconvert. It would be quite freeing to him. If not, he's probably going to be a danger to himself.

[jauggy]

Here's Jimmy Kimmel's take on the whole situation. Very funny:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SboFvBTo-BU

[LosingMyReligion]

The only thing that would really shock me is if he said he was a top man...

 

And I don't mean the head of his church.

[white_raven23]

I'm surprised we haven't heard his wife yet.

I'm surprised he can still walk normally

I'm surprised he still has teeth

 

 

Either she's brainwashed with meth or you need a pump to blow her up

 

 

You shouldn't be surprised.

 

I don't know what has happened the last 15 years or so, but wives in the public eye seem to just humbly endure with Stepford-ish "grace" when their husbands cuckhold them. WTF??? First time I noticed it was with Hillary Clinton......GET PISSED DAMMIT!!! Where the hell is the justifiable outrage and anger?!! These women just put up a smiley front, look lobotomized, and tout how they are going to "support" their husband through these hardships.

 

Give me a fucking break! Your husband has been publically exposed as a two-faced cheater! He didn't cheat on "the public" he cheated on YOU!! He opened the marriage door to STDs some of which can endanger your life!

 

GET PISSED OFF ALREADY!!!!

[Johnmilton]

I dunno... I think Mrs. Haggard may have some in-the-closet issues herself... possibly even some female Mark Foley tendencies as well.

 

"I love you all so much, especially you young women - you were my delight."

 

http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1326185&secid=1

 

The lesbian undertones aside... "You were my delight?" This coming from someone who was supposed to counsel and help others?

 

It's goddamn sick and reveals the sheer unreality and pedestal from which these big-time pastor's wives stand on.

 

Imagine a real licensed counselor or psychotherapist stating such a thing about their patients. Supposedly, it's these people's position to help others, not derive pleasure from their suffering or problems.

 

Once again, goddamn sick.

 

This woman has become accustomed to the wealth and power of her position as obviously as her husband. They'll do the Jim and Tammi Bakker thing for a while, though they'll be laying low in the Caribbean with their offshore account money as they won't be doing any prison time. But we'll be hearing from their kids when they start their own scam ministries in a decade or so.

 

This bitch doesn't deserve anyone's sympathy. Even if she was doped up on Xanax the entire time, she lived in the mansion(s) Teddy built... at best she's Carmela Soprano, and at worst she's just another self-righteous sociopath who enables and builds up assholes like Haggard.

 

Here's a sad, disgusting, pretty frightening, and very interesting story about Colorado Springs and the rise of this limp-wristed, hypocrite asshole.

 

http://www.harpers.org/SoldiersOfChrist-20...3288348488.html

[LosingMyReligion]

No doubt he'll DEFINITELY be on South Park...LOL

[Rafiki]

Maybe he'll get it on with Richard Dawkins. Anything to not see Mr(s). Garrison's tits again.

[AgnosticBob AtheistPants]

He is now the visible and public evidence that every man (woman and child) needs a Savior.

 

 

The man does not need a savior, he needs a shrink. He's homosexual and can't accept it. There is NOTHING wrong with him being homosexual. There is EVERYTHING wrong with him fighting it and tearing himself (and others) apart because he thinks it's "evil".

 

Exactly how does him shaming himself publicly (by lying about it, trying to hide the truth, NOT by being homosexual or bisexual) show that "every man (woman and child) needs a Savior"?

 

Fucking Christian BULLSHIT.

 

Maybe he'll get it on with Richard Dawkins. Anything to not see Mr(s). Garrison's tits again.

 

OMG after that "Root of All Evil" interview, that would be ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!!

 

[Curtdude]

Okay, all you closeted homo-guys and homo-gals out there! I know you're following this thread 'cause anything with the word "gay" in it goes to the top of y'alls radar. Get a freakin' grip!

Jesus will not change your orientation. Entering into heterosexual marriage will not "cure" you.

 

Begging the Lord to change your heart will instead just set you up to be horribly, terribly disappointed. All you poor souls who desperately want to "change" and "become whole in Christ." C'mon on.

 

I know there are married guys and gals out there who lurk on the outskirts of ex-c land, who deep down are as homo as Ru Paul at the Castro Street Fair or Billie Jean King (god ain't she cool). But you've got your God. Yeah. He's gonna change you. New creature in Christ and all that. You've maybe even procreated and had tons o' kids. You keep your noses clean. No porno (okay, maybe just a little peek, but nothing worthy to report to your ExGay Support Group).

 

You closet gals see a women's softball league at play, and damnit, you wanna go out there and smack some softballs with the ladies. But NOOOOOOOO, you've gotta take care of that annoying MAN in your life, and those bastard kids who he saddled you with, and expects you to be at his beck and call 'cause he's the "spiritual authority" in the home, and you gotta be put in your place, especially now that he knows that you could "swing both ways."

 

And you closeted Christian boys: HA! You told all your old queer buddies in the old days that you're turning over a new leaf for Christ! No more taudry affairs, morning cups o' joe with the buds settling the score on Who Did Whom at the Bars. No, boys. Not any more. Or maybe you came straight outta suburbia-church-land, knowing you like the dudes, but the love of Jesus will change you. Just gotta read more bible in the morning. More books on being a Manly Man for a Manly God. Gotta go to Promise Keepers (not a real effort, though, 50,000 men in one place, not bad). Hmm. Why is it that you can't get the incredibly hot lookin' Youth Pastor outta your mind. Even when your screwing with your wife.

 

Oh NOOOOOOO, it's Mega-Church Three Times A Week, Men's Bible Study, scripture memorization, even ExGay Support Group with some wacko aversion therapy (or whatever the F*** they're shoving down your pathetic throats now in the name of "Reparative Therapy"). Trying to "heal" your wounds of some half-baked sex theory on Why You Like Dudes.

 

You think you've got the whole congregation convinced of your 100% Heterosexuality, but lord knows no one in that church wears their ties with such subtle flair, knowingly matching brown shoes with a brown belt (and a brown leather watch). Or if the drag is blue collar, a very butch Carhart work jacket and just the right trucker touch of cowboy boots or slightly scuffy work boots. Every time you put on anything bordering on a uniform, you strut around like a proud peacock, just waiting to be admired. It's a gay thing, and you still got it, babe.

 

How many sad looking, paranoid, fearful lives do you need to watch circle the media terlet before you come to your goddamned senses and just chuck the whole stupid, irrational Christian religion that, sorry to break it to ya, Has Not Invited You to Their Boring, Self Absorbed and Really Badly Catered Party!

 

The Christian Religion has no room for us homos! Get it through your stubborn, idealistic heads, All You Pathetic Closeted Folks!

 

Just come on out and live free, for the freakin' love of God.

 

Geezus. It just makes me rant.