A Mega-Scandal for a Mega-Church

[RickSp]

A Mega-Scandal for a Mega-Church

One of America's most powerful evangelicals is accused of paying for a male prostitute even as his state approaches a referendum on gay marriage

"I did not have a homosexual relationship with a man in Denver," Ted Haggard said with a calm specificity during an interview with a Denver TV reporter on Wednesday night as controversy broke around him. " I am steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife." Nevertheless, the pastor of one of the most prominent mega-churches in the country — and one of President George W. Bush's advisors on evangelical issues — has taken a leave of absence from his own 14,000-member New Life Church and temporarily resigned as president of the 30-million-member National Association of Evangelicals, which represents more than 45,000 evangelical churches across the U.S., after Mike Jones, a gay massage therapist — and self described professional male escort in Denver — told local radio and TV stations that he sold Haggard gay sex for three years. Jones also said that Haggard used drugs with him. Haggard was one of Time's 25 Most Important Evangelicals in 2005. Last night, New Life Church's acting senior pastor Ross Parsley told Denver's KTTV News that Haggard had confessed to some of the alleged indiscretions. In a statement released Thursday, Haggard said, "I will seek both spiritual advice and guidance."

From the Rocky Mountain News:

This morning, Haggard said he had never had sex with Jones but said he did buy methamphetamine out of curiosity.

Haggard said he never consumed it but threw it away.

"I was tempted. I bought it but I never used it," Haggard said.

Haggard said he was referred to Jones for a massage by a hotel in Denver. The minister said he travels to Denver to write books.

Haggard drew a silent stare from his wife when he told the gathered reporters that he received a massage from Jones.

So now he is claiming that he bought drugs but not use them (didn't inhale?) and that he was rubbed but did not have sex.

Are any Republican leaders straight?

[Georgia]

I saw this on the news this afternoon.
Disgusting.
It's worse than the Jimmy Swaggart scandal.
I wonder if he's going to cry those big crocodile sympathy tears?
I'm sure that in the end he'll run away with his "flock's" millions.

[JohnMK]

A Mega-Scandal for a Mega-Church
Are any Republican leaders straight?

The sad irony of judeo-christian-muslim moralizing against homosexuality is that it turns people into self-loathing liars with ill consequences for families and society-at-large, the very institutions that morality is supposed to serve.

[PatrickHenry]

Man, how shameful...

[JohnMK]

Is that sarcasm?

[PatrickHenry]

Is that sarcasm?

You don't find hypocrisy shameful? Are you a hypocrite and proud of it?

[JohnMK]

If that's what you were commenting on as shameful, then I quite agree. I just had to assume the role of underbear for a moment . . . I've utterly failed in the role. The doctors say it's a lack of charisma.

[PatrickHenry]

Nobody can take underbear's place...

[RickSp]

I miss him already.

[Troll]

There are like several hundred thousand gay christians in the US alone. So what is the issue? That there are gay christians?, Gays? Christians? Or peopel who freak about something when found out (which basically makes up about 6 billion peopel on the planet.

[Troll]

Are any Republican leaders straight?

Apparently they are all as gay as the democrats leaders like Carson Kressley. How did you gather this dude was a "republican leader"? Because he claims to be christian? Heck, that as much a democrat thing as proven by Clinton saying he is one.

See this is the weak crap that made leave this place a year ago. Bias up the wazoo and no brains

[Jack]

How nice you returned just to share your scorn with us.