January 09
My inbox was busy today with all sorts of new and juicy Haggard gossip.
First, this ‘Zette piece in which Haggards whines about his skyrocketing Kleenex bills.
Then, Nonprophet clued us into further allegations made about Haggard’s gay sex life. The letter sent out to New Lifers, to wit:
Dear New Life Family,
In the days ahead, there will be new press reports of allegations made by a man who knew Ted Haggard through his involvement with New Life Church. This man has decided to speak to the media about his alleged relationship with Mr. Haggard. Since these allegations were first brought to our attention, New Life Church leadership has reached out to him with compassion by providing him with pastoral care, professional counseling, and financial assistance. We did this with the hope that he would experience healing and move forward with purpose in his life.
At that time, he and church leaders agreed that publishing his allegations or our church’s assistance to him would not be in his best interest. This decision was made not as an attempt to conceal wrongdoings, but to protect him from those who would seek to exploit him. His actions now suggest that he has changed his mind.
A few weeks ago, when the news of the upcoming documentary about Mr. Haggard surfaced, this man informed me that he was considering telling the media the details of his relationship with Mr. Haggard. He was obviously upset about the reported content of the documentary and wished to tell his story.
After Mr. Haggard’s fall, we received reports of a number of incidents of inappropriate behavior. In each case, we have tried our very best to do the right thing, including disciplinary action when appropriate. Our concern has been and continues to be for every person affected. We renew our invitation today for anyone who believes he or she has been hurt to please come forward.
Our current elder team and all of our overseers have been aware of these allegations and have given us wise, prayerful counsel every step of the way. I regret that we have to revisit the unpleasant issues of the past, but I am convinced we are on the path of healing and great days are ahead for all of us. Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support.
Love,
Pastor Brady
So has Haggard probably had other homo-run-ins with other closet cases? Well, duh—and it’s only been a matter of time until these people run to the media. Let’s do some public service here:
Dear Ted Haggard,
We at Newspeak have witnessed, with considerable interest, your rise and fall. You were for many years our punching bag. But at this point, even with your six-figure severance from New Life and your former political pulpit, we can’t help but feel sorry for you.
Pastor Ted, you are gay. Gay gay gay. Gay as a handbag full of rainbows. Gay as a unicorn Trapper-Keeper. Gay as High School Musical wrapped in rollerblades. And wouldn’t you just be happier being, you know, gay? Couldn’t you do so much more good as a gay man who still loves God and could tell other God-loving folks how great it is not to have to pretend to not be gay than you could as a gay man pretending to be straight?
Your God is a loving god. But he’s also an honest god, and he loves you more gay than he does you pretending to be straight. Be gay. Be gay, and be honest, and trust that your loving God will love you. And while you’re being gay, be as vocal about being gay as you were about being (fake) straight. Your voice is powerful, and you can help make being gay and loving God as accepted as loving God and hating gays was. Be gay, and help make ours a more tolerant society than the one that has make you think that you can’t be gay.
Yours,
Newspeak.
Posted by: Aaron Retka in Haggard: Gay, Jihad Against Marriage | Permalink
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7 Responses to “Delicious Haggardness!”
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That’s genuinely sweet Aaron, but I don’t think he’ll be getting the message. I truly don’t think Ted believes his God is a loving God. He still seems to believe that he lost his multimillion dollar empire because God is punishing him for his dirty acts. He has not fully processed his denial, and years of programming will likely keep him from ever liking himself. Also self respect seems to me to be built on a solid foundation. Being a “Pathological Liar for Jesus” doesn’t seem like a sure route towards self-love. Sure, he seems to have a brewing resentment towards the church, but it is still for all the wrong reasons, namely money.
The folks I really feel sorry for are the ones who are dense enough to still attend New Life. The Church wanted to sweep this all under the rug as quickly as possible, so they could put it behind them and continue to maintain their revenue stream from the self righteous hetero moms and dads that make up nearly half this town.
Gay is bad = business is good.
They would lose nearly all their parishioners if they got up on the pulpit and told them God loves everyone. That might work in some little West Side community church, but that kind of message simply doesn’t pay the bills on huge arenas and McMansions in Briargate.
That letter was beautiful, Aaron. I hope he reads it.
–>> ..the ripple effects of the events of the past number of years will not only / have not only effected the pastor himself, but will reverberate thru’ others very close to him.
He has family, kids.. .. one can only imagine what type of message all this sends to them.
The ” T.B.N. ” atmosphere and contradictory messages only touch the surface why i left that so - called Church.
All of ultimately can be all so very sad.
>v<
“Gay as a unicorn Trapper-Keeper”
hahahhahahahaaaaa…..
This is a really great message.
man, I just saw High School Musical on ice, and you are so right there! It was awesome!!!
I’m so loving Boyd’s spin that the hush money wasn’t hush money and was for the victim’s own good rather than in the interests of NLC’s development department.
The cover up is always dirtier… Let’s hope that tonight’s news and the Pelosi documentary inspire more people come forward about what really went on.