Huh?!? Meryl Haggard?!!?
:-)
Posted on 11/02/2006 2:45:28 PM PST by dogbyte12
The leader of one of Colorado's most popular mega-churches, Ted Haggard, is temporarily stepping down from his leadership role, after allegations from a male prostitute that Haggard solicited gay sex.
Haggard, the founder and senior leader of the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs and president of the multimillion- member National Association of Evangelicals, denied the accusations raised by the prostitute on Wednesday.
Today, a press conference by church leaders to support Haggard was cancelled shortly before it was scheduled to take place.
In stepping down, it was emphasized that Haggard did not admit any wrongdoing, but that he felt his effectiveness would be hampered by the cloud of inquiry.
Male escort Mike Jones of Denver told 9News he'd had a three-year sexual business relationship with Haggard.
Jones went public about their alleged relationship Wednesday morning on talk radio.
"People may look at me and think what I've done is immoral, but I think I had to do the moral thing in my mind and that is expose someone who is preaching one thing and doing the opposite behind everybody's back," Jones told 9News.
The station spoke to Haggard outside his home in Colorado Springs, and he fervently denied the allegations. Haggard is married and has five children.
"I've never had a gay relationship with anybody. ... I am steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife. I don't know if this is election-year politics or if this has to do with the marriage amendment or what it is," Haggard said.
The Denver Post could not reach Haggard for comment.
Haggard has been one of the major proponents for a state constitutional ban on gay marriage.
Jones says he was contacted three years ago by Haggard for sex - he thinks through a gay newspaper advertisement or an online ad he posted on rentboy.com.
Today, Jones showed the Denver Post an envelope addressed to him from "Art," a name Jones says Haggard used - sent from an address in Colorado Springs. Jones said the envelope came to him with two $100 bills inside.
Jones also played a recording of a voicemail left for Jones from "Art." Jones refused to reveal what the topic of the voicemail was about because there could be legal problems and he wants to consult with an attorney.
"They want to protect the sanctity of marriage and I am trying to figure out what that means because they are not doing a good job," Jones said of anti-gay marriage proponents. "To have someone in such a high profile position preaching against them and doing opposite behind other people's backs is hypocritical."
Jones said he would take a lie detector test to validate his claims. From a Denver Post story just posted. Guy sounds like a drama queen. But if Haggard's fingerprints are on the envelope or the voice mail matches his voice, he is cooked.
I actually agree with you. I understand why he stepped down from the pulpit for the time being, but I do not know why from the NAE. Maybe it has a requirement also. I talked to a coworker about this (he goes to the same church) and we thought that you fight fire with fire. But I do not have all the facts.
Time will tell all, but I do not believe it.
I figured out what you meant. I just hope the guy doesn't have pics!
In God's eyes, yes. However, sometimes when you sin, you have to pay the consequences.
A murderer may repent and go to Heaven, but they still have to go to jail on earth.
ping
Given this guy's position as the current President of the National Association of Evangelicals (30 million represented), the size of his New Life congregation (14,000) and resultant implications this is a whole lot bigger than Jimmy Swaggart's (1988) and Jim Baker's (1987) published and admitted public scandals. I hope the allegations remain allegations but his dual and immediate resignations already signal something could be there in terms of smoke and fire.
I'm glad campaign finance reform got rid off all the money in politics and all the negative campaigning...oh wait...this has to be one of the sleaziest election campaigns in recent memory. Another government reform success story I guess.
Including a married father of five cavorting with a homosexual? Surely you jest...
Our societal structure is built upon marriage between a man and a woman and their children -- not consulting adults doing what they want for pleasure.
"If he did it or not, my prayers to Ted Haggard."
You're going to pray to Ted Haggard? Isn't it customary to pray to God?
Who writes letters to their gay prostitute?
The charge is a three year relationship. Living a lie and a double life is sad but to preach to others while living this lie is sadder still. More to come on this, I'm sure.
This Christian visits the White House, and when the homos can't dictate and force their agenda, they try to destroy.
This one just doesn't pass the smell test at all.
Hey, who knows what went on in that prison?
";^o
This is a total hit job. This might be the false accusation that really gets the media's attention. To go with a story that has filmsy or no proof...
If I am right and it is false, I hope KHOW and 9News gets hammered.
Fatez
Yup if this guy is lying about the affair he has hell to pay.
While I am not saying this is a diversions, just minutes ago some of us were discussing what "surprise" the Dem could spring to divert from Kerry.
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