Posted on 11/03/2006 12:08:07 PM PST by freedomdefender
COLORADO SPRINGS, Nov. 3 /Christian Newswire/ -- Focus on the Family founder and Chairman James C. Dobson, Ph.D., issued the following statement today after learning the Rev. Ted Haggard had acknowledged some "indiscretions" involving accusations made against him by a gay prostitute in Denver:
"All of us at Focus on the Family are heartsick over the allegation, not yet confirmed, that Ted has had a private life with a homosexual for several years. We will await the outcome of this story, but the possibility that an illicit relationship has occurred is alarming to us and to millions of others.
"Ted has been my close friend and colleague for many years. He has been used mightily to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Colorado Springs and around the world. He will continue to be my friend, even if the worst allegations prove accurate. Nevertheless, sexual sin, whether homosexual or heterosexual, has serious consequences and we are extremely concerned for Ted, his family and his church.
"We ask that the Focus on the Family constituency and Christians everywhere pray for Ted and his loved ones. Our hearts go out to all of them. Perhaps the allegations are false and the circumstances are not as we have heard. Either way, the situation has grave implications for the Cause of Christ and we ask for the Lord's guidance and blessings in the days ahead."
Sadder yet that it is being exploited in an attempt to influence an election.
And this too shall fail! Looks like an act of desparation.
Pastors can no longer do that. They might lose their tax-exempt status. I've never been in a church that does that. But they might remind us to vote.
Dr. Dobson, and everyone else who is concerned about this trivial nonsense, had better focus on the election for the next few days.
After the election, they'll have all time in the world to be "heartsick" about the guy, "pray for him," etc.
New Life Church is in Colorado Springs. It is a huge church with real people, 15000 or so (i.e., not a TV ministry). It is about 2 miles from Focus on the Family's facilities.
http://www.newlifechurch.org/
He's freely admitted to it - I think the Time website has the details, amongst others. He does say that once he found out who "Art" was and what he stood for (against gay marriage) then he decided to spill the beans. (In fact, he said he could have easily blackmailed him instead--he needed the money.)
But that does not exonerate Haggard one iota. He should not have given this man the opportunity to shame him in public. And now Haggard's admissions of "it was only a massage" and "I bought the drugs but didn't use them" are simply just Clintonesque. Who on earth is going to believe that? Note, the transcript of one the recorded phone calls clearly implies that it was not the first time he was buying drugs from that man.
"Dr. Dobson, and everyone else who is concerned about this trivial nonsense, had better focus on the election for the next few days.
"
They can't. Their egos prohibit it. They must speak out at every opportunity, even when they don't know what they are talking about.
This is the biggest failing of people like Dobson. He thinks himself to be important, so he believes everyone is holding their collective breath, waiting for his pronouncements.
Holding one's tongue is a virtue unknown to most public figures.
Is that what they're calling sex with a male prostitute and methamphetamine abuse nowadays?
How about that good old three-letter word:
You are probably right about some of them, but I would bet the overwhelming majority are far from the cliches you have listed.
I agree. I can't believe how many people get snookered by them.
You mean he may have to actually WORK for a living like the rest of us?
Damn right! It's high time we get the Pope off of those damn cable TV stations pimping for money, throwing about miracles and crying like a little girl who's best friend just left her for the pretty girl with better clothes. I mean, come on.
They live in Branson,MO..and they do indeed live well. He's still scamming the public, and living high off the hog for FREE these days.
He gets his home, food and house-hold help all provided for free from stupid people who think he and his wife are God's gift to the world..
sw
I like Richard Land of the Southern Baptists. No, I'm not a Baptist.
Land is always dignified, well-spoken, and a gentleman when he appears on cable news networks for comment on religious controversies.
He's not a pretty boy who poses for glamor shots, like Haggard, either. You simply can't imagine Land, any more than Billy Graham, taking illegal drugs or having extramarital relationships.
No, never wondered that. :-)
It's a big story, both men live here in Colorado Springs, and they are friends.
LOL. How are you doing?
2...He's getting ahead of the MSM who will ...even as we speak...try to smear Dobson AND Bush AND the Republican Party with this brush.
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