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02/06/2007
That three years of (alleged) motel sex -- just an oopsie
Rev. Tim Ralph, one of the men who has been overseeing Ted Haggard's "restoration," has a message for everyone wondering about the disgraced pastor's current standing. He tells the Denver Post:
"[Haggard] is completely heterosexual,"..."That is something he discovered. It was the acting- out situations where things took place. It wasn't a constant thing."
...
"If we're going to be proved wrong, somebody else is going to come forward, and that usually happens really quickly,"..."We're into this thing over 90 days, and it hasn't happened."
Oh, where to begin? Well, let's start with the obvious -- a "completely heterosexual" man does not routinely dabble in sex with someone of the same gender, even if it is confined to only one man. A "completely heterosexual" man may try same-sex sex and discover that it is not for him, just as many homosexuals have first experienced gender-discordant sex and learned the same about themselves. But this is a man who headed one of the most gay-unwelcoming organizations in the nation who, over the alleged span of three years, has extramarital sexual relations with a male escort! Not only did he have it, he PAID FOR IT! If he was not enjoying himself, wouldn't logic lead him to spend both his time and money elsewhere?
Secondly, not even one more person has to step forward in order to "prove" Rev. Ralph's assertions untrue! It's quite possible that Mike Jones was the only man with whom Ted Haggard ever slept. In fact, one of the most shocking parts of this story for us was the fact that Mr. Haggard, a public figure in such a gay-unfriendly capacity, risked these dalliances knowing full well that he could be revealed to the world as a hypocrite. So we actually 100% believe Mr. Jones may have been his sole gay tryst in years of recent, if for no other reason than fear of anonymity. However, that wouldn't make him any less homo-interested than if he had slept with 176 men in the span of a day! He clearly desired same-sex sexual relations! It's not like he was an uber-liberal Berkeley student giving gay sex the old college try and then discovering it wasn't for him! This was the married head of the National Association Of Evangelicals carrying on a risky affair with an escort in hotel rooms!! You don't follow through on such a thing just to satiate a passing curiosity!
Now don't get us wrong -- it's likely Mr. Haggard has sworn off the man sex and quite possibly even feels that Jesus has saved him from his homo-focused ways. However, it is enraging that folks like Mr Haggard and Mr. Ralph continue to use such anecdotal evidence to represent gay "change" while ignoring common sense and actual facts! They are presenting Haggard's dalliances as if they were actions detached from his desire, which defies all logic! It is all part of their thought that heterosexual interests are God's design, while homosexual ones are deviant ideas that can be exorcised through the power of prayer. They muddy the waters of sexual truth to suit their needs! It is deeply offensive to those of us who know what it means to have same-sex relations and know the truth behind such desire.
We realize many Christian conservatives would react in horror that we dare express skepticism over Mr. Haggard's rapid "restoration" or to imply that he just might possibly still have same-sex thoughts. But while his extra-marital affairs and alleged drug use are things for which he should feel remorse, his DESIRE for men is the one thing in this story for which he owes nobody an apology (including himself)! If we just sit back and let these guys paint our truths as "changeable" and "temporary" without a challenge, then we let them paint our lives and loves as "wrong" and "in need of repair." That is a concept for which we simply cannot stand!
Haggard says he's not gay [Denver Post]
(H/t: Towleroad)
Technorati Tags: Ted Haggard
Your thoughts
Well said by the writer. :) I don't think anything else was needed to be said, but I totally agree with you. Three Cheers!
Posted by: Fin Bheara | Feb 6, 2007 10:57:55 AM
If I were a medium, I would predict that Mr. Haggard is going to come out strongly as an ex-gay psychologist who has personal experience in the matter. The newly ordained, Dr. Haggard, will be able to sell his snake oil from a different, if slightly less glamorous, position within the Evangelical Cult Movement.
It is very sad that so many people are duped by the likes of these charlatans into a zeal that moves them to try and force fascist suppression of anyone who is not to their liking.
Posted by: PTBoat | Feb 6, 2007 2:41:43 PM
Is there any hope that we can ever expect more than the irresponsibly "facts" these people spout out? I came from a fundamental evangelical background. Jimmy Swaggart was the poster child for my denomination. Then along came some prostitutes.
Then, a few tears, a couple of lies, and he's still doing it but he hasn't been caught red-handed again...or yet.
It seems only irrefutable destruction of their stances - showing the hypocrasy they exhibit and waking up all of America to it - will work.
Posted by: Eric | Feb 6, 2007 3:08:46 PM
I hate to repost but I'm having trouble and I hope I'm not repeating myself.
I grew up in a Fundamental church. Our poster child was Jimmy Swaggart. He fell, gave out his mea culpas, and the church swallowed it whole-heartedly. The same will happen here with Haggard. But they will not change. I've heard rumors from years that Swaggart's still up to his dirty tricks, he just hasn't been caught yet. But he will.
I think the only thing that will bring these people down is irrefutable evidence of their repeated hypocrasy for the "church" to see and the realization that the condemners are far worse than the condemned.
Posted by: Eric | Feb 6, 2007 3:12:50 PM
Harper's interviewed Haggard in May 2005, over a year before he was sprung from the closet. The article (which is well worth a read in hindsight) includes gems such as (describing Haggard's World Prayer Centre):
"The atrium is a soaring foyer adorned with the flags of the nations and guarded by another bronze warrior angel, a scowling, bearded type with massive biceps and, again, a sword. The angel's pedestal stands at the center of a great, eight-pointed compass laid out in muted red, white, and blue-black stone. Each point directs the eye to a contemporary painting, most depicting gorgeous, muscular men—one is a blacksmith, another is bound, fetish-style, in chains—in various states of undress."
and also:
"Pastor Ted soon began upsetting the devil's plans. He staked out gay bars, inviting men to come to his church; his whole congregation pitched itself into invisible battles with demonic forces, sometimes in front of public buildings."
Any bets on how long before he resumes his "stake out" activities?
Full article here: http://www.harpers.org/SoldiersOfChrist-20061103288348488.html
Posted by: John C | Feb 6, 2007 8:57:39 PM
Thank you - you helped put this in perspective for me.
Posted by: Max | Feb 6, 2007 10:38:54 PM
Wow Rev. Haggard must really want his job back? That’s amazing now he’s straight, but then he was straight before right?
He just had a gay relationship? Of course that just proves we CHOOSE to be gay as all those Evangelist claim.
So you can just switch back and forth sort of like turning on the four-wheel drive and turning it off again.
How many of you guys can switch back and forth like that?
DonPato
GayMexicoNetwork
Posted by: DonPato | Feb 7, 2007 3:07:44 AM
Why are christians so obsessed with other peoples sexuality..so obsessed with sex, gender and genitals…really, don’t they worry about real stuff , like poverty, famine, environmental degradation, war and pestilence, the rich gettting richer and the poor getting more destitute.
Why do they get so obessed with homosexuals, claiming it is a threat to the family ..HOW? if your husband runs off with the hussy next door, how can it be the fault of gays/lesbians? How can gays/lesbians be responsible for 50% divorce rate ( incidentally highest divorce are in the bible belt ha ha ).
If your son does drug and your daughter gets laid while on booze - how is that the fault of gays/lesbians. Christians historically sought out scape-goats..they used to blame Jews, then blacks, then gypsies , then women and now since it is no longer fashionable to blame jews or blacks etc, they have to pick on vulnerable minorities like gays and lesbians.
Hitler did not kill 6 million jews in a vacuum. Centuries of marginalization and denigration and demonizing of jews as Jesus killer enable common german citizens to exercise false moral authority in killing jews. In like fashion centuries of demonizing and denigration of homosexuals embolden wicked and otherwise morally bankrupt ‘straight’ bigots to descrimiaate and do violence to gay and lesbian and other sexual minorities .
Furthermore picking on a scape-goat makes christians feel superior and ‘saved’. Denigrating others is easier than exercising love,charity and compassion which is actually the most basic teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Sadly Christians hardly practise the most important commandemt of Jesus ie. Love God then immediately love your neighbour as yourself ( be he/she gay or staight).
It is AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS WHEN THEY IN FACT DO NOT PRACTISE THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENT OF JESUS !!! THEY WOULD RATHER BE HYPOCRITES AND BE LIKE THE PHARASEES OF OLD DUUUH !
mikhail - a child of the Universe
Posted by: mikhail | Mar 1, 2007 4:17:42 AM
Evangelicals and christians in general tend to be so obsessed with sex, gender and genitals to the point that you would think that morality = sex and nothing more. Why I suppose in an evangelical’s mind a heterosexual drug dealer is ‘morally’ superior to a gay philanthropist. Christians in general are guilty of being self righteous and are constantly pretending to ‘love the sinner but hate the sin ‘ as if they can really do that -hah.!!!
May I remind them that the oft repeated mantra of the modern pharasees ‘ love the sinner but not the sin’ is not a quote from Jesus , but a glib semantic invention of some self righteous baptist minister.
Careful scholars of biblical texts who are familiar with the intricacies of ancient oriental languages are wont to not read their bias into isolated quotations.
Jesus had no problems with gays ( natural eunuchs born of the mother’s womb). If you are anti-gay or condemnatory of gay people than you are out of sync with Jesus.
This is what Jesus said:
KJV Matthew 19:12
12. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
No less an authority than Jesus said it is o.k. to be gay, and for you to accept it. Who do you wish to follow - Jesus (of Nazareth) or Jerry (Falwell).
For more detail discussion of this biblical position on the acceptance of gay people by no less an authority than JESUS - THE SON OF GOD , I refer you to this link :
http://www.hiddenmeanings.com/gaysJesus2.htm
Mikhail - a child of the intelligent Universe
Posted by: mikhail | Mar 4, 2007 7:47:13 AM
Thanks for sharing that, Mikhail. The liberties taken with "love the sinner, hate the sin" (among many other things you touch on) are quite enraging. The key -- which we encourage often -- is for EVERYONE to actually analyze and study their religion a little more closely, especially if they are going to use it to judge and condemn.
It's eye-openingly disturbing how unwilling some people are to critically examine the book they hold so dear, as if doing so would be some sort of morality breach. NOT DOING SO is the true transgression!
Posted by: G-A-Y | Mar 4, 2007 8:16:42 AM
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