Can someone tell me why this story matters? Is the guy running for office or something? I heard Rush talking a bit about it, but still don't get why MSNBC is making a big deal out it!!
He is the Pastor of a church of 14,000 and President of the National Association of Evangelicals with 30,000,000 members. He is an important religious figure in this country.
If you spend your life running around with your petard hanging out, somebody's going to step on it.
He spoke to Bush once a week as a counselor and has been strongly involved in getting evangelicals active in conservative politics.
"Can someone tell me why this story matters? Is the guy running for office or something? I heard Rush talking a bit about it, but still don't get why MSNBC is making a big deal out it!!"
He's not running for office, but I gather that there is some kind of "defense of marriage" proposition on the ballot in Colorado, and Ted Haggard has come out strong in favor of it, so I guess it is politically relevant in Colorado, at least. Another reason it "matters" to a lot of people is that this guy is a heavy hitter in the evangelical world, not just some unknown local pastor; as head of the NAE, etc., he's a powerful guy. There have also been reports that he's pretty tight with the White House, has a lot of access to Bush and/or his advisors, so there's that angle too, I guess.
Because he is a big televangelist, and people are always interested in the moral failures of those who promote morality.
The immoral because it makes them happy, and the moral because they are concerned.
If it doesn't hurt liberalism and people might find it interesting, why would the MSM not report it?
Trying to suppress the "bitter christian" vote in CO.
You're right, he's not running for office, he only has weekly contact with the president of the United States of America, pastor of a mega church, and heads an organization of umpteen million evangelicals.
When you put yourself "out there" as he has done, falling to earth is going to make a big sound.
He's a Christian - the MSM hate's Christians. He is the head of a huge Christian organization = political power. I am guessing that if he were, say, Muslim this wouldn't make the news at all. (Not defending him, just making an observation.)
"Is the guy running for office or something? I heard Rush talking a bit about it, but still don't get why MSNBC is making a big deal out it!!"
Because he is a Christian Pastor and any cheap shot they can take at a Christian leader is not to be passed by.
Another reason this story is out there is to depress the evangelical vote. I've already had to preach to a relative about this.
Can someone tell me why this story matters? Is the guy running for office or something? I heard Rush talking a bit about it, but still don't get why MSNBC is making a big deal out it!!
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They think it will keep those crazy "evangelicals" at home for the elections, since they'll be so disheartened.
The probably think all the Christians will sit around in sackcloth on a pile of ashes and speak in tongues instead of voting. After all, that's what "they" do, isn't it?
"Can someone tell me why this story matters? Is the guy running for office or something? I heard Rush talking a bit about it, but still don't get why MSNBC is making a big deal out it!!"
I was wondering the same thing. Who is this guy and why do I care if he picked up a male prostitute.
Because he's an evangelical Christian who has fallen. They LOVE to bash us.