Says he went to Oral Roberts...
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.
Merle fruity? you're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
"Do you think it will have a greater effect one way over another?"
That's very hard to say. It could fall either way depending on how all of this ends up.
Ironically, it could help the pro-family agenda because of people being shocked about a minister having a male prostitute. Who knows how it plays out?
So what does Musgrave do now...comment or not comment?
Another preacher fallen from the flock while going down the dirt road apparently. What next Vern??
We don't make a party out of lovin"
But we like holdin' hands and pitchin' woo...
I read somewhere that in the church bylaws, it states that if a leadership member is accused of something like this, they are required to take LOA until an investigation is complete.
Especially when he has so much to lose from exposure.
She has to comment. All she has to do is show compassion, concern, saying she hoping it isn't true, hoping he changes his ways if true, and commenting on how lovely his family is. In a press release. The media vultures though would decend in a pack on her with a press conference though. Musgrave should just write a good statement.
Hopefully the church can get this investigation carried out and cleared up before the elections.
Yup. This could help mobilize the pro-family vote.
It's not Haggard that has gone queer, it's Willy Nelson. LOL
This isn't a stretch, in my view. I think he did it. We'll see.
Vote! But take comfort in the fact that nearly all of the pre-vote polling on all the other state marriage amendments understated the support for the amendments. The media work it into their editorials with "no one wants it anyway" bogus arguments. I mean, maybe....but I doubt it.
Says he went to Oral Roberts...
I wonder how they're going to try to knock Dr. Dobson out before the election.
Ugh!
This will likely have fallout in not only the homosexual issues but also in the CD 5 race since Haggard is in El Paso County.
Dirty trick? Definitely.
True? Who knows. It wouldn't be the first time a preacher took a major fall. For the sake of his family and congregation, I hope it's not true.
The accusation alone will likely affect the outcome of the election.
Anyone in church should have their eyes on Jesus, not a priest. I follow Jesus, not mere men. This won't affect anyone who has that concept right.
Prayers for his family and congretation.
Especially when he has so much to lose from exposure. How often do gay prostitutes get letters? Is there any special gay prostitute letter writing etiquette to be followed?
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