Ted Haggard: Example Of Evangelical Hypocrisy
Robert Paul Reyes
November 03, 2006
The National Association of Evangelicals (NEA) is a 30 million-strong organization that is home to multitudes of preachers and laypersons who condemn homosexuality in strident terms.
The Rev.Ted Haggard, President of the NEA, and vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, resigned amid allegations that he had a three-year affair with a male prostitute.
From the Washington Post:
Supposedly the Colorado pastor, and father of five, began the affair after responding to an Internet ad under the alias “Art”. The ad had been posted by a 49-year-old escort named Mike Jones who claims “Art” paid him to have sex once a month for the past three years. Jones also accused “Art”, who has been named one of America’s most influential Evangelicals, of snorting methamphetamine to heighten the sexual experience.”
From the Associated Press:
The Rev. Ted Haggard admitted Friday he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from a gay prostitute who claims he was paid for drug-fueled trysts by the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals.
I bought it for myself but never used it,’ Haggard told reporters gathered outside his home. ‘I was tempted but I never used it.’”
I was tempted but I never used it,”, that ranks right up there with “I never had sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky.”
This tawdry episode illustrates the hypocrisy of the evangelical movement. The “sins” that evangelicals condemn are just are common in the church as they are outside of it.
Let me digress by emphasizing that what I find tawdry is not the gay sex, but the preacher’s hypocrisy and unfaithfulness to his wife.
If evangelicals accepted homosexuals with open arms into their congregations, perhaps the Rev. Haggard would have pursued an open gay relationship. But because evangelicals ostracize and condemn homosexuals, Haggard led a secret life and betrayed his marriage vows.
Haggard is now at a crossroads, he can confess his sin, and rededicate his life to serving his god. I am not referring to the “sin” of homosexuality, but the sins of hypocrisy, intolerance and homophobia.
Haggard can also take the Jimmy Swaggart route, and cry and beg his church for forgiveness for having had a homosexual relationship for the past three years.
If Haggard takes the Swaggart route, homophobia will continue to thrive in the evangelical movement. But if Haggard admits that he is a homosexual, the church he has pastored for many years will certainly not take him back. But he will open many eyes to the possibility that perhaps a homosexual can serve God.
The Rev.Ted Haggard, President of the NEA, and vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, resigned amid allegations that he had a three-year affair with a male prostitute.
From the Washington Post:
Supposedly the Colorado pastor, and father of five, began the affair after responding to an Internet ad under the alias “Art”. The ad had been posted by a 49-year-old escort named Mike Jones who claims “Art” paid him to have sex once a month for the past three years. Jones also accused “Art”, who has been named one of America’s most influential Evangelicals, of snorting methamphetamine to heighten the sexual experience.”
From the Associated Press:
The Rev. Ted Haggard admitted Friday he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from a gay prostitute who claims he was paid for drug-fueled trysts by the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals.
I bought it for myself but never used it,’ Haggard told reporters gathered outside his home. ‘I was tempted but I never used it.’”
I was tempted but I never used it,”, that ranks right up there with “I never had sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky.”
This tawdry episode illustrates the hypocrisy of the evangelical movement. The “sins” that evangelicals condemn are just are common in the church as they are outside of it.
Let me digress by emphasizing that what I find tawdry is not the gay sex, but the preacher’s hypocrisy and unfaithfulness to his wife.
If evangelicals accepted homosexuals with open arms into their congregations, perhaps the Rev. Haggard would have pursued an open gay relationship. But because evangelicals ostracize and condemn homosexuals, Haggard led a secret life and betrayed his marriage vows.
Haggard is now at a crossroads, he can confess his sin, and rededicate his life to serving his god. I am not referring to the “sin” of homosexuality, but the sins of hypocrisy, intolerance and homophobia.
Haggard can also take the Jimmy Swaggart route, and cry and beg his church for forgiveness for having had a homosexual relationship for the past three years.
If Haggard takes the Swaggart route, homophobia will continue to thrive in the evangelical movement. But if Haggard admits that he is a homosexual, the church he has pastored for many years will certainly not take him back. But he will open many eyes to the possibility that perhaps a homosexual can serve God.
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