TPM LiveWire
Ted Haggard Starting New Church: Gay People Welcome, Gay Marriages Not So Much (VIDEO)
Rev. Ted Haggard in "The Waiting Game"
Share
Send to a friend!
Rev. Ted Haggard gave a press conference today to make a "big announcement" about his career path.
And what an announcement it was! Outside of his home in Colorado Springs, with his family by his side, Haggard revealed...that he's starting a new church.
Haggard said that many may be believe he's "not qualified" to be a pastor again, but he thinks that "because of what we've been through" he's "qualified to help other people in need."
Haggard, of course, is referring to 2006, when he admitted to a homosexual affair amid allegations of drug use. He was founder and leader of the evangelical New Life Church at the time, but was excommunicated following the revelations.
He said that his new church -- St. James Church in Colorado Springs -- will welcome everyone, including those who are "gay, straight, bi, tall, short, whether you're an addict, a recovering addict, or you have an addict in your family."
"Democrats are are welcome, Republicans are welcome, independents are welcome," Haggard added.
Referring to the scandal as "the crash," Haggard noted that since it happened, "I don't judge people anymore."
However, he did emphasize that there will be no gay marriages performed in his church, because "God's ideal plan for a marriage is the union of a man and a woman." Haggard added that it's also "God's ideal that all of us have our weight under control," but that doesn't always happen.
"I don't want to be a political activist," Haggard said. "I want to help people."
Late Update:Here's video from the presser:
Comments (71) | Join the Conversation!
Inside TPM
-
Latest
-
Most Popular
All
TPMMuckraker
TPMDC
TPMLiveWire
-
Has Obama Cornered Republicans On Contraception?
-
Tax Avoidance Questions Continue To Haunt Romney
-
Obama To Draw Contrast With GOP In Budget
-
McConnell: GOP Will Fight To Let ANY Employer Deny Birth Control Coverage
-
The Delicate Dance Of Disassociating Oneself From 'White Nationalist' Groups At CPAC
-
Judge Won't Toss Weapons Evidence In Schaeffer Cox Case
-
Women's Groups Broadly Support Birth Control Compromise
-
British Man Using 'Sovereign Citizen' Tactics To Get Out Of Weapons Smuggling Charges
-
White House Seeks To Mute Catholic Uproar Over Contraception Rule
-
The Conspiracy Videos In The Hutaree's Library
© 2011 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
LiberalRedneck
June 2, 2010 2:00 PM
I watched The Trials of Ted Haggard and I just can't really hate him after that.
So misguided yet so sincere.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
converse
June 2, 2010 2:11 PM in reply to LiberalRedneck
Like the "sincerely misguided" guys who started the Crusades, the Inquisition, the War on Iraq, etc. etc.? I have no trouble hating them.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Geoff Johnson
June 2, 2010 2:23 PM in reply to converse
Haggard is hardly Tomás de Torquemada or Paul Wolfowitz. I completely disagree with his political and spiritual views, but he's obviously a troubled fellow and I do have sympathy for him. There's no reason to "hate" him or any of his ilk.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
onecrappyusername
June 2, 2010 3:10 PM in reply to converse
You know who else used false equivalency in their arguments?
HITLER.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Lestatdelc
June 2, 2010 4:35 PM in reply to onecrappyusername
LOL WIN!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Viva!America!
June 2, 2010 4:25 PM in reply to converse
That's really over the top.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Jung at Heart
June 2, 2010 10:16 PM in reply to converse
THIS Shrink would never accept Haggard as patient,
because I can easily 'sense' ... he is still (to
whatever degree) "play acting"; Of course I feel
sympathy for his HUGE scandal - it isn't every
day one gets OUTED by a gay male escort / meth
provider, in COLORADO no less (LMAO);
The hugely WITTY poster (who was that?) who
speculated that Ted should have a guest role
on "Breaking Bad" ... thanks, I needed that.
What a show! I never miss it, and at least
WALTER is a character who inspires simpatico.
Below: A 'cut paste' from one article written
about Ted's new adventure, make of it what you will :
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Haggard announced Wednesday that he is starting a new church in the same town -- Colorado Springs -- that he left in humiliation in 2006 following a gay sex and drugs scandal. And he says this church will be for people like himself, "a church for sinners -- for people who have hit rock bottom and people who want to help people who have hit rock bottom...It is not a gathering for the righteous, except those who are righteous by faith."
"Everybody is welcome: Democrats, Republican, Independents, gays, straights, tall, short, addicts and recovering addicts," Haggard said at a news conference at his home, flanked by his wife Gayle and facing an array of camera
and television crews, much as he used to do as a Christian power broker
for years and then as the center of a media maelstrom.
"I think I am qualified to hold their hand," he said, according to
The Denver Post account.
NO comment on the hand holding.
I WILL continue to observe his "progress" as both
Psychiatrist and (amateur) anthropologist (LOL).
What a specimen he is ...
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Packerfanchick
June 5, 2010 8:51 PM in reply to Jung at Heart
Wasn't he really vocal about being against gays too? I wonder if he didn't hate himself. Lying to yourself constantly and staying closeted in a fake marriage where you don't feel complete can't be healthy for someone's psyche. Add to that the preaching against who he is as a person, that could very well be what caused the drug use, he needed to escape his manufactured reality and try to deal with the truth about who he is. I feel bad he hasn't accepted himself and still lies about who he is. As a bisexual woman who recently came out to my family, it is hard when the Fundies in the family don't even say a word about it. But I feel free and open to be myself, I can't imagine going back to being closeted.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Jung at Heart
June 5, 2010 11:08 PM in reply to Packerfanchick
Well, thanks for the reply to my post = and
I want to give you
HUGE congratulations (for coming out) ... you
may be surprised how many of my patients wish
they had your courage. Some of these include
men and women who RUN large organizations and
others who fly expensive airplanes.
Again, I have a lot of respect for you, and
yes = talking about it IS a good thing (Shrinks
call it "cognitive behavioral therapy" ... just a
bit of costly mumbo jumbo which means = TALK it
out !)
Have an inspired Sunday, smart TPM people, Dr. JUNG
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
chameleon
June 2, 2010 2:25 PM in reply to LiberalRedneck
It was very good wasn't it? Someone else mentioned the film yesterday. I felt kinda sorry for the guy. He was so down and out and living out of motel rooms, but the family was still together. Look whatever the guy is he is, but perhaps he will learn a valuable lesson from all this and hopefully something positive will come of it. I'd like to think so.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Snig
June 2, 2010 2:56 PM in reply to chameleon
This is why democrats lose elections. We see things in gray, and understand where our opponents are coming from, whereas it's more politically advantageous in politics to portray people as pure good vs. pure evil. Not saying I'm any different, just making an observation.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
chameleon
June 2, 2010 3:35 PM in reply to Snig
Agreed. If one is a democrat one can be presumed to be liberal (of course not in all cases) and to be a liberal is to be one who is tolerant of views differing from one's own, broad-minded and tending toward democracy and personal freedom for the individual. Yes, that is why dems don't get down and dirty in the trenches with the thugs. I wish sometimes we were more like them, but then I doubt I would be proud to be a democrat if they were.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
AJM
June 2, 2010 6:00 PM in reply to Snig
Democrats have the White House, almost but not quite have the Senate, have the House, have over 50 of the State legislatures and 28 Governorships. Now about that losing streak we are on ...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Snig
June 2, 2010 9:04 PM in reply to AJM
I see your point, you win. :p
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
AJM
June 2, 2010 10:26 PM in reply to Snig
Now we just need to whip them into shape, prune a few DINOS here and there and make sure that those in tough fights are supported. Then we might be able to speed up the progress which has just been started.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
AJM
June 2, 2010 10:22 PM in reply to AJM
should have been 50% of the state legislators.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
LiberalRedneck
June 2, 2010 3:41 PM in reply to chameleon
I guess we don't really need scapegoats.
Shame other liberals don't either.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
tiowally
June 2, 2010 2:10 PM
Ted is one of the biggest pieces of shit on the planet; with all the competition, that's a rare accomplishment. He is truly yet another poster boy — one of way too many — for ending tax-exempt status for churches.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Early Out
June 2, 2010 2:17 PM in reply to tiowally
I have long maintained that the separation of church and state mandates an end to the tax-exempt status of churches. Otherwise, the government is placed in the position of deciding what's a "real" religion, and what isn't. The granting of a tax exemption is tantamount to establishment.
Tax them like any other business. If a church wants to operate as a not-for-profit, that's fine, but it'll have to meet the same requirements as any other n-f-p corporation.
Of course, this doesn't address the whole "obtaining money under false pretenses" problem. It's tough to see how any church can raise money, yet not be guilty of fraud.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Marinus van der Lubbe
June 2, 2010 2:23 PM in reply to tiowally
When athletes gamble, theyre gone. Wwhen these guys are caught being liars and hypocrites, they should have no more claim on a pulpit. He is a piece of prime shit...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Geoff Johnson
June 2, 2010 2:26 PM in reply to Marinus van der Lubbe
So long as people will attend his church, I think he has a claim on a pulpit, unless of course you want to pass a law that says "liars and/or hypocrites cannot be religious leaders." Rather than getting angry that Haggard is starting a new church, I think the best bet is to just ignore him.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Marinus van der Lubbe
June 2, 2010 2:29 PM in reply to Geoff Johnson
Not angry at all...just making a statement and I dont believe he has a right, especially this laughable exercise.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ugg the Repug
June 2, 2010 3:00 PM in reply to Marinus van der Lubbe
When peoples believe in invisible Skyman, any slime can start church. Even if diddle little boys and girls, can say, "Oops sorry. Skyman say I all better now. Start over. I tell you what Skyman say from now on. Come to church. Leave money."
Ugg think you not evolve all that much. Har har har.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Hobbes83
June 2, 2010 2:33 PM in reply to tiowally
I think Pat Robertson is a bigger piece of shit because of all those comments that he made about 9/11, Haiti, and the Hate Crimes Bill. Still, this guy provides ample competition for him.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
chameleon
June 2, 2010 4:32 PM in reply to Hobbes83
Hi Hobbes. Nice to see you. I totally agree.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Hobbes83
June 2, 2010 5:59 PM in reply to chameleon
Hi Chammy. It seems as though Sailormarlowe has several new incarnations after he was booted yesterday.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
chameleon
June 2, 2010 6:45 PM in reply to Hobbes83
Apparently--and more of the same
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
oleeb
June 2, 2010 4:12 PM in reply to tiowally
good point
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Early Out
June 2, 2010 2:12 PM
It turns out that the easiest way to make a living in this country is to find a flock to fleece. I wish I had a better-controlled blush reflex. I could certainly use the extra money, but I'd never be able to pull it off convincingly.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Hobbes83
June 2, 2010 2:31 PM in reply to Early Out
I don't think you have the heart, or lack thereof in this case to do something like that. The real sociopaths like Limbaugh and Fixed News saw the market a long time ago and monopolized it.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
army193
June 2, 2010 2:16 PM
It's called easy money...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
GTFOOH
June 2, 2010 2:22 PM
So, in other words he opening up a non-profit cruising center.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ariseatex
June 2, 2010 2:42 PM in reply to GTFOOH
Came here to post this.
Left satisfied.
(The thread, not the new church.)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Lestatdelc
June 2, 2010 8:52 PM in reply to GTFOOH
Yeah, because it's all about cruising right?
(shakes head)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Hobbes83
June 2, 2010 2:29 PM
This is just a money grab. It makes no sense to have a church with gay people in it and yet still not recognize gay marriage. What the hell is the purpose?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Geoff Johnson
June 2, 2010 2:35 PM in reply to Hobbes83
I don't know, ask the Catholic church, or any number of the other churches with gay members but which do not recognize gay marriage. It's the rule, not the exception.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
aq
June 2, 2010 2:39 PM in reply to Hobbes83
There's more to life than just marriage? Maybe...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ugg the Repug
June 2, 2010 2:48 PM in reply to aq
Perhaps. But don't say out loud when cavewife closer to hammer than you. Har har har.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ugg the Repug
June 2, 2010 2:45 PM
He not judge people. The God in his head does. Har har har.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Lestatdelc
June 2, 2010 2:49 PM
Well that shocked me. I would have placed money on the table betting that he was going to be "cured" and angling back to being leader of his old church.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ariseatex
June 2, 2010 2:50 PM
"However, he did emphasize that there will be no gay marriages performed in his church, because "God's ideal plan for a marriage is the union of a man and a woman." Haggard added that it's also "God's ideal that all of us have our weight under control," but that doesn't always happen."
So he's welcoming gays and fat people, while saying what sets them apart isn't "God's ideal."
It's the church for self-hating gay chubby chasers, I guess.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Winston Smith
June 2, 2010 2:59 PM
Is there a quick guide to starting a church? I'm a little short on cash these days.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ugg the Repug
June 2, 2010 3:13 PM in reply to Winston Smith
Yes. Send $499.95 to:
Ugg's Guide to Church Start
Cave No. 8
Valley of Three Bears
Uggville, NJ
Act today! Also receive special 3 free solid rock collection bowls and ouch hammer for use on nonbelievers
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Winston Smith
June 2, 2010 3:40 PM in reply to Ugg the Repug
I said I was short on cash! If I had $500 I would spend it on rentboy.com.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ariseatex
June 2, 2010 3:51 PM in reply to Winston Smith
He didn't ask for $500, he asked for $499.95.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Ugg the Repug
June 2, 2010 4:21 PM in reply to ariseatex
OK. If you both act today, I can offer 2 for price of one. But you have to share hammer. Har har har.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
lovethesinner
June 2, 2010 3:18 PM
It sounds like Ted Haggard might actually be on the road to humility. For what purpose is anyone's guess. I tend to distrust anyone who claims he can lead us to god.
Personally, I get better spiritual guidance walking my dog. The journey is meaningful, enough.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ChristopherH
June 2, 2010 3:32 PM
Self-respecting LGBT people in Colorado Springs already attend several churches where they are welcome exactly as God made them (AND which perform same-sex marriages, BTW):
http://www.gaychurch.org/Find_a_Church/united_states/us_colorado.htm
The ONLY ones attending Haggard's church will be those still suffering in denial of their essential nature just like he is.
@Geoff: Haggard is fully complicit in the excesses and aims of the previous administration. His religious worldview provided Dubya the rationale for his actions. As the president's personal spiritual advisor, Haggard was, for eight years, quite literally a phone call away from the president... and his counsel could have saved thousands of lives. He is no less responsible for the crimes of the previous administration than is Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld OR Paul Wolfowitz.
Ignore him? Never! People like Haggard are far too dangerous to be ignored. Their words and teachings ruin lives and devastate families. We absolutely should pay attention to his ilk, else we are doomed to repeat the sins of the past.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
LiberalRedneck
June 2, 2010 3:43 PM in reply to ChristopherH
"He is no less responsible for the crimes of the previous administration than is Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld OR Paul Wolfowitz."
Wow, hysterical much?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Plan 9 Studios
June 2, 2010 4:12 PM in reply to LiberalRedneck
Seemed a little hysterical, yes. But I will admit we let Haggard off the hook too easily for the people he's hurt with his dogma. Just because his beliefs are genuine and he smiled while he preached them, doesn't mean they aren't damaging.
You'd think a person who endured 4 years of persecution for his sexuality would be the first to step up and say, "Wow, I had no idea the impact of my actions." Instead he makes sure he gets in a dig against LGBTs in his first press conference in years. THAT'S how important his bigotry is to himself. Amazing really.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
LiberalRedneck
June 2, 2010 4:21 PM in reply to Plan 9 Studios
Look man, it takes some serious mental gymnastics to think the post I replied to was in any way shape or form reasonable or rational.
It was absurd and hysterical.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jheartney
June 2, 2010 3:46 PM
I was wondering what sort of gays would want to be in a church that explicitly denies them marriage rights (I mean, aside from Andrew Sullivan).
Since I doubt there are too many like that, I'm thinking perhaps the intended customer for this church is Haggard himself, a self-denying gay man. Like Henry VIII, he's starting a new sect as a way of accommodating his own desires.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
oleeb
June 2, 2010 4:17 PM in reply to jheartney
Actually, most (not all) gay Christians who are members of a church, belong to churches that do not condone, allow or perform gay marriages. The reason that is, I guess, is simply because it was always that way. Only very recently did any Christian churches or people in general here in the USA even think of gay marriage in any way as being something anyone did. It's really only a development in the past 10 or so years that the issue has entered the public concsciousness.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Plan 9 Studios
June 2, 2010 4:05 PM
I'm so glad he doesn't judge anymore especially when he says God expects fat people to control their weight.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
oleeb
June 2, 2010 4:14 PM
What else, really, is a snake oil salesman to do? Pathetic demonstration if you ask me.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
bidalah
June 2, 2010 4:30 PM
Haggard left unanswered the most important question of all; or else what passes for journalists these days didn't bother to ask it. Does Haggard still believe gays are sinners?
My understanding is that even Southern Baptist congregations welcome everyone to their pews, including gays. That whole "hate the sin, love the sinner" shtick. So Haggard isn't breaking any new ground here. And Haggard saying he isn't going to judge anyone is just avoidance. No worshipper is going to be happy just to avoid public judgment. Worshippers want to be affirmed.
Not condoning gay marriage is going to be a real hindrance to attracting gay followers, and his declaration that he welcomes gays and "won't judge" is going to repel the average conservative church-shopper, including his own former flock, that might be willing to look his way.
Overall this new church idea seems as half-baked and confused as...well as Ted Haggard!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Bull Slam
June 5, 2010 4:49 PM in reply to bidalah
Excellent point. And yes, it does seem that in spite of everything, he still regards gays as sinners. And it would seem that he thinks of himself as having been "cured" after a few sessions with a Christian therapist; and now he is straight. Hallelujah! Thank ya Jayzus! I would sympathize if he could just be straight with himself and the world at large, but he can't even do that. There appears to be no end to this man's lying and self-deception. He's trying to pour perfume on gangrene and call it good. But then I'll bet there's a lot of people who like that about him.
I really feel sorry his wife and kids. So tragic.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Realpolitiker
June 2, 2010 5:15 PM
So its a church which wants to "help" gay people like it helps addicts? Sounds like conversion therapy to me.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
kiva
June 2, 2010 7:24 PM in reply to Realpolitiker
re: conversion therapy...here's some scary shit:
http://www.narth.com/
if any of you haven't, you need to see that documentary on Ted filmed during his exile. Really good stuff.
The guy is a lost 'soul'. He hasn't had enough people in his life yet to help him accept what he is. In the meantime, he needs to be monitored like any other human being attempting to be in leadership. He's no better or worse then anybody else - we're all capable of intense self-deception. He just had more power in the midst of his.
kiva
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Matt Jones
June 2, 2010 5:39 PM
I'm sure Ted's stoked about the possibility of some Rekers-style "gospel sharing"...
Will he be adding "snorting meth off a rent-boy's ass" as a new sacrament, or is that just a personal hobby?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Lestatdelc
June 2, 2010 8:53 PM in reply to Matt Jones
Any other puerile jokes we need to post?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnnydoughey
June 2, 2010 6:59 PM
"I have failed at every sport there is... should really make me an excellent coach, shouldn't it?"
"Haggard noted that since it happened, "I don't judge people anymore."
(might just be a minor problem, preaching about sin and telling the congregation not to worry because they will never go to hell as far as he is concerned...)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jsdc007
June 2, 2010 7:14 PM
Admission open only to those with 8" or more.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Lestatdelc
June 2, 2010 8:55 PM in reply to jsdc007
Wow, more infantile locker-room humor which fails to even be humorous.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
lester
June 2, 2010 8:27 PM
Dude's gotta eat, man.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mcjam
June 2, 2010 9:57 PM
No gay marriage....but gay sex with prostitutes is still ok, right?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
TigBong
June 3, 2010 10:50 AM
Wow, sure would like to know from what book he teaches from as the Bible clearly states being GAY is a SIN!
Lou
www.Anonymous-VPN.de.tc
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Daddy Love
June 3, 2010 8:15 PM
Hey, now we've got someone passing judgment on humor? I would guess you need a sense of one first, AND the sense to realize that yours is not everyone's, second.
Ted Haggard has put himself in the crosshairs of anyone who wishes to jibe at him due to his hypocritical and powerful position as the "advisor to presidents" who was a secret meth-snorting ass-banger.
And personally, I do not think it ridiculous or hyperbolic to place some of the blame for Bush's idiotic imperialistic crimes on Haggard. Bush clearly thought he was doing God's work by murdering hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Who do you think told him that? He coldn't think it up on his own.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
DominickinCharlotte
June 5, 2010 4:01 PM
Some of these posts are poor attempts at humor, and that aggravates me, but my point has already been well made by Christol (above). No one should feel sympathy for Haggart without reminding themselves that since society wrongly looks down on being gay and that most churches claim it is inherently sinful, even the Catholic church in which I was raised (priests ought not be gay, even if celibate!), he faced a very, very difficult choice. Unfortunately, at this point, he's doing wrong again in not coming out as gay, divorcing his wife, and trying to meet a man he can love and be in a relationship with again. He's putting himself forward as ex-gay, which is bs. His plan to have a church open (ha) to gay guys is ridiculous. What self-respecting and truthful christian gay guy would want to go? (BTW, I'm gay myself, but I never pretended otherwise and have never had a fake relationship with a straight woman, which, in itself, is sinful, never mind hurtful.)
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
johnnydoughey
June 6, 2010 12:22 PM
Sometimes when you have to choose between being honest and ethical or rich and famous... compromising seems pretty acceptable...
Too bad folks who cannot stop drooling when around famous people must also make this same compromise...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?