The Real Lesson from Haggard's Homosexual Trysts.

[keopeli]

The knee jerk reactions are all stepping up to the plate in response to Haggard's resignation from the National Association of Evangelicals.

"Homosexual activity, like adulterous relationships, is clearly condemned in the Scriptures," the evangelicals association says on its Web site. The Bible says homosexuality is a sin that "brings grave consequences in this life and excludes one from the Kingdom of God.
ABC News

(As a Christian, I wish these declarations would use biblical citations when such interpretations of scripture are made. To my knowledge, the New Testament says nothing of the earthly consequences of intra-sexual practices and reserves judgment on who gets to spend an eternity in Paradise to the good judgment of God. In fact, it specifically prohibits humans from making such predictions. Romans 2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things.)

Progressives who resent the hypocrisy of these people will be tempted by haughty "I told you so" responses. Jesus himself was quite vocal in his condemnation of hypocrites. Matt 23:33

But, the real lesson is much more human. Haggard was born into a generation of gay men who learned to deny themselves, even hate themselves, but they could never escape the reality of their sexual orientation. They pursue satisfying carnal relationships in secret, betraying vows and lying to themselves. Most closeted gay men in these churches have lived with such shame for so long that they are no longer able to make wise, honest decisions.

Evangelicals should learn one lesson from this if nothing else. Many of the people you know and love are gay. Most of them live secret lives out of fear and shame and guilt that eventually becomes hypocrisy. If you are truly straight, then you know it. What you should do is to start loving your brothers and sisters. Stop making them feel threatened by the religious traditions and start healing serious emotional wounds that lay just beneath the surface of the person in the pew beside you.

[drb]

1. Preach it, brother! Preach it!

Amen!!!

:toast:

[TygrBright]

2. Yes. Exactly. Thank you. n/t

[Erika]

3. I just want to know how much of our tax $ went into

the control of this guy for faith based iniatives overseen by this guy. This guy was a close advisor to W, and W rewards his friends.

[DURHAM D]

4. "Haggard was born into a generation of gay men ..."

That is pure crap. Stop providing him that lame excuse.

Millions of men (and women by the way) before and after managed to deal with whatever circumstances they were born into and live/lived lives infused with love. This man taught hate-mongering to his flock of 30 million.

[keopeli]

5. Empathy is neither a vice nor an excuse.

Nor is righteous indignation an attractive temperament.

If you missed the context of what I was saying by defining his generation, it was to point out to evangelical christians that there are many among them who share the path this man has taken in life. There is no excuse for his hypocrisy.

I was raised a fundamentalist christian. I ran christian mission programs in Europe and the Soviet Union. I know the path this man chose, because I had the same choice and am proud to say that I rejected it. That doesn't make me better than him; it makes me stronger than him. I now work with many, many older and closeted gay men who, at the end of life, finally realize what shame they've been living with their whole lives. They have wives, kids, grandchildren and gay lovers. Most are emotional basket cases, but are still very human. And, happily, most have never stooped to the depths of hypocrisy that Haggard has.

Haggard should and will pay a heavy price for his behavior, and rightly so. This man DID preach hate-mongering to millions, and this revelation may actually undo some of the damage he has caused. He will have to live with the consequences of his actions and, unfortunately, so will we.

My message is an encouragement to understand that there are many, many more like him and their shame is hurting all of OUR lives. My aim is to remove all of these hypocrites and liars from power, but I have no intention of losing my humanity along the way. And, if I can demonstrate and encourage compassion without compromising my morals, that's even better.

Peace.

[Binka]

6. This Is a Beautiful Sentiment Thank You For Writing This

Everyone should strive to live this creed:

My aim is to remove all of these hypocrites and liars from power, but I have no intention of losing my humanity along the way. And, if I can demonstrate and encourage compassion without compromising my morals, that's even better.

Peace.

[Sapphocrat]

9. I don't know which I enjoy more...

...this reply, or your OP.

Beautifully done. K&R'd.

[keopeli]

12. Thanks, Sapphocrat! Peace! n/t

[karlrschneider]

18. Two most excellent posts. Well done.

:toast:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

7. K&R!!! Thank you. nt

[flyarm]

8. it must be Clinton's fault...lol.....another one bites the dust!!...n/t

[foreigncorrespondent]

10. K&R Thank you!!! (n/t)

[Emit]

11. Thank you for this very insightful post -- n/t

[NMMNG]

13. K&R

:applause:

[readmoreoften]

14. Great post. Kudos. /nt

[izzybeans]

15. You said it much better than I did.

k and r

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2556775&mesg_id=2556775

[keopeli]

17. Thanks, izzy! n/t

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

16. Kick! This should be on DU's front page.

:kick:

[Bouncy Ball]

19. The National Evangelical Association website is down, by the way.

But their link to give donations is still working.

[LeftCoast]

20. K & R

Definitely home-page material!

:kick:

[Change has come]

21. Beautifully said

Thank You

[kineneb]

22. eyes to see, ears to hear

from my journal (yea! I figured out how to do it!)

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/kineneb

...

1.There is no mention of homosexuality in Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). None. Therefore, Jesus did not say anything about it. (Paul, who had his own issues, does mention it, but that is Paul, not Jesus.) Now Jesus does have quite a lot to say about divorce, which none of the Protestant churches seem to notice... (the Bible Belt has the highest divorce rate of the nation...!)

2.The approach should be through Jesus' teachings: to see those who purport to be the leaders of the church as false prophets or "scribes and Pharisees" who would lead their congregations into error.

3.Or... perhaps use the "hypocrite" teachings. If you are a Biblical literalist, then to cherry pick your quotations about morals is to be a hypocrite. And Jesus, in the Synoptic Gospels, has lots to say about hypocrites.

[keopeli]

23. Great first journal entry! n/t

[WinkyDink]

24. Jesus was against hypocrisy and greed. He didn't mention sex ay-tall, except

to challenge those stoning the prostitute to cast again only if they were free of sin. IOW, Jesus was on HER side.