I almost feel sorry for minister Haggard

[dsc]

I once was a right wing Christian. In middle school I joined a church that was run by a charismatic evangelical minister. As I got older and figured out I might be different I prayed and prayed to find one women whom I could love in the way I believed that God intended. Fortunately I never found that woman. Eventually, I left that church and joined an American Baptist Church which I also left. While I surely wouldn't have risen as far in a church as Mr. Haggard did' I can relate with the hard choice he faced. Loving God while loving the 'wrong' gender can be a hard road to hoe.

I wouldn't wish that horrible choice on my worst enemy. But to be honest, it is hard to feel too sorry for Mr. Haggard. No one forced him to be so public in his hypocrisy. No one forced him to make a promise to a woman and then dishonor it. No one forced him to back the worst kind of anti gay candidates. I can understand the conflict. I can't understand the public anti gayness. I also can't understand his taking a hostage. He had a right to ruin his own life, but not others.

He didn't make all his bed, but he made enough to have to lie in it.

[Not Me]

1. I DO feel sorry for his family.

Coming out is painful for everyone involved. Despite his hypocrisy, his kids are going to have a really hard time with this.

[Obamarama]

6. I don't feel sorry for his family one bit.....

The undoubtedly sow the same intolerant, hateful bilge this man, his church, and his organization propigate. The nut doesn't fall far from the tree.

[Hepburn]

2. Thank you for posting this...

...very nicely written and said.

K&R...:hi:

[indepat]

3. The hypocrisy of the whole kit-and-caboodle of RW nuts is exceeded

only by their sanctimonious reichousness at times. :puke:

[hunter]

4. A long time ago I had a girlfriend like you.

She prayed and prayed to find one man whom she could love in the way she believed that God intended.

She got me.

You've got it right -- I wouldn't wish that horrible choice on my worst enemy.

I do have some idea that Haggard's wife knew.

I knew, but I was just young and ignorant enough for hope. I escaped, but I still have scars.

[MazeRat7]

5. I think your missing the point...

Had he been a non-public figure I would agree... but he used his "power" for evil not good. Think of all he could have helped if he had at least "tried" to incorporate message of tolerance into his sermons knowing his own preferences ? He did not do that and has set gay rights back years by the sermons to the sheeple he ministered.

I have no pity and no quarter when another member of the american taliban falls.

MZr7

[Warpy]

8. Another point is what courage it took for the "masseur" to come

forward. He's now lost his livelihood (who'd trust him to be discreet now?) and I'm sure the good Christian soldiers will make his life miserable. He's the guy in this farce who is risking the greatest long term hurt.

Pastor Ted was the worst sort of determinist sack of shit out there, judging by what I've seen on tape. I'd be just as gleeful at outing him if he was a secret shoplifter, gambling addict, had kiddie porn on his computer, or whatever. These bastards need to be outed any way they can be. It's the only way to break their hold on the frightened and gullible and the only way to get them the hell out of power so they'll stop hurting us all.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. The reason, I suspect, is millions of dollars, and fame.

[GardeningGal]

9. Thank you for your perspective.

For me, it's the hypocrisy that I have such a hard time with.