You’ll probably be busy today reading the new issue of our paper, but when you’re done, GQ’s profile of disgraced Colorado Springs pastor on the comeback, Ted Haggard, is well worth reading. Turns out he’s willing to admit some of what he was accused of, but his penitence is still a bit murky.
Ted may be telling the truth, but his peculiar brand of self-victimization and protestation—in which every “I messed up” is followed by a “but… “—makes it hard for people in Colorado Springs to believe that he’s actually sorry for what he did. One former New Life member expressed what seems to be the general sentiment surrounding his resurgence: “I think Ted genuinely loves God, and I think he has a sincere interest in helping people, but I don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.”
[GQ]
This article appears in Jan 27 – Feb 2, 2011.
Ted Haggard is a self-loathing homosexual who hides behind his pseudo family as he is taught to do by his right wing evangelical terrorists. Haggard personifies what fanatical Christianity can do to you. Acting like you are the patron saint of morality is the biggest disservice to humankind not to mention the real abomination to our Lord. Now he has wrecked the church, his home and himself. He will never come clean because who and what he is the self made albatross around his neck. He, nor anyone, can live up to the lofty standards of their teachings. God made each and ever person who and what they are for a reason…denying yourself is denying that God knows what he is doing. How can Haggard believe he is a role model with the effrontery to stand in front of people and profess who they should become in the eyes of God. Those who live in glass houses…. I do not believe he is rehabilitated, nor the newly proclaimed Bisexual. I do believe he is a scared little boy who thinks that if he cries enough all will be forgiven. No, Mr. Haggard, tears are not your absolution for your persecution of others while practicing the so called “Sins” that others are engage in. You will spend the rest of your life, and the afterlife, hating who you are and this will be the punishment you deserve in the eyes of the Lord for having the audacity to sit in judgement of your brothers.