Posted on 11/06/2006 10:04:14 AM PST by SirLinksalot
Nov. 03, 2006: Hypocrites?
A sensational but to-date unsubstantiated allegation has been hurled at a major American religious figure. On much of the left, the reaction is gleeful delight: See! He is no better than anybody else!
In my mind, however, this story highlights a widespread moral assumption that I have never been able to understand.
Consider the hypothetical case of two men. Both are inclined toward homosexuality. Both from time to time hire the services of male prostitutes. Both have occasionally succumbed to drug abuse.
One of them marries, raises a family, preaches Christian principles, and tries generally to encourage people to lead stable lives.
The other publicly reveals his homosexuality, vilifies traditional moral principles, and urges the legalization of drugs and prostitution.
Which man is leading the more moral life? It seems to me that the answer is the first one. Instead of suggesting that his bad acts overwhelm his good ones, could it not be said that the good influence of his preaching at least mitigates the bad effect of his misconduct? Instead of regarding hypocrisy as the ultimate sin, could it not be regarded as a kind of virtue - or at least as a mitigation of his offense?
After all, the first man may well see his family and church life as his "real" life; and regard his other life as an occasional uncontrollable deviation, sin, and error, which he condemns in his judgment and for which he sincerely seeks to atone by his prayer, preaching, and Christian works.
Yet it is the first man who will if exposed be held up to the execration of the media, while the second can become a noted public character - and can even hope to get away with presenting himself as an exemplar of ethics and morality.
How does this make moral sense?
Let me put it another way:
In every other avenue of life, we praise people who rise above selfish personal wishes to champion higher principles and the public good. We admire the white southerners who in the days of segregation spoke out for racial equality. We admire the leader of a distressed industry who refuses to ask for trade protections and government handouts. We admire the Arthur Vandenbergs and (someday) the Joe Liebermans who can reach past party feeling to support a president of the opposing party for the sake of the national interest.
If a religious leader has a personal inclination toward homosexuality - and nonetheless can look past his own inclination to defend the institution of marriage and to affirm its benefits for the raising of children - why should he likewise not be honored for his intellectual firmness and moral integrity?
"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self."
Personally, I think we should all gaze into the darkest corners of our souls, examine what dwells there, and then embrace it, make it a cornerstone of our daily lives, and justify it despite any harm that it may do to ourselves and others.
Owl_Eagle
If what I just wrote made you sad or angry,
it was probably just a joke.
Haggard beame remorseful ONCE CAUGHT.
Televangelical cults of personality are SO obviously full of these actors and actresses.
Gated estates, TV lights and makeup, books, blah, blah, blah.
Mr. Haggard is not a hypocrite.
A hypocrite is one who states or maintains that he does not do something when, in fact, he is doing that very thing.
No one has yet caught him in such a lie. He upholds everything good before God as he teaches others, despite having temptations elsewhere. Even if he succumbs to that temptation, he is not yet a hypocrite, but just a sinner. He becomes a hypocrite when he states he doesn't do that sin.
People have got to get their heads screwed on straight here. If having sin in one's life was the deciding factor on who could speak the Truth of God's Word, then NO ONE could EVER speak a Truth of God.
There is a lot of wisdom in this.
But....that said, Scripture makes it clear that teachers are held to higher standards for what they teach and that elders must be above reproach.
If this were about a lay leader of small Bible studies, ie, something like alcoholics anonymous, where everyone is struggling together....then I think I would agree with the sentiments here 100%. But if you are talking about a mega leader like Haggard, or a senior pastor/elder, then I think that a higher standard is warranted Biblically.
In any event, this whole episode makes me sick.
I hope the marriage amendment passes in Colorado.
Well there you go, some guy I have never heard of in CO maybe or maybe not had a homosexual affair. Guess I had better run out and vote for the Dems. (/sarcasam)
Of course! All sins are found that way, but few admit it and repent of it.
Even if the news wasn't the reason for his final confrontation with sin, I would have hoped it would have been God. But even then some one like you would be there to point a finger saying the same stupid stuff.
Tell me a sin you've felt remorse for that didn't come from a public or private confrontation over it, either with a person or solely with God.
Even if it was with God, we are supposed to repent to the one(s) we hurt.
This man even supported the person who revealed his sin.
His example is a good one for all Christians to follow.
Well, that is, those who may still sin. Some apparently have been able to stop such human failings, right?
Hypocrisy isn't the evil it's cracked up to be.
I've noticed this. What they don't get is that being gleeful at someone else's fall is just as much a sin as that committed by the fallen one.
They also don't get that Christianity is all about the fact that humans are sinful and need a Savior. Of COURSE people are going to fall down. But if they have Jesus as their Savior, they have Someone to catch them.
Ditto. And, if the lifestyle is so 'natural', why do so many tempted into it hate it, attack it and support its banishment? Maybe in hope of ridding themselves of it by ridding the world of it? Who knows the hurt of the sin more than the sinner?
I actually was thinking along these same lines... At least he paid for his trysts, not preying on the young that he obviously had access to.
Men are weird.
Sarah
I have read where he admits to buying the drugs, but then throwing them away. The article also indicated that he admitted getting massages from a male prostitute, but didn't actually have sex with him.
If that article was correct and he did admit to doing those things, then he was being a hypocrite while he preached against doing such things.
But those of us in Christ have our Savior to catch us when we fall.
VS...
Haggard's Diary : Hypocrites ? A Moral Look at David Frum's case.
Note; thats pretty much a push... NEXT?..
From the dictionary, "Main Entry: hyp·o·crite Pronunciation: 'hi-p&-"krit Function: noun Etymology: Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritEs actor, hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai 1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion 2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings - hypocrite adjective
I think we can safely say that Mr. Haggard is a hypocrite.
It's true that Ted Haggard lacked the courage to confess his sin and step down on his own. But when God used Mike Jones to give Ted Haggard a nudge in the right direction, he drank the bitter cup and did the right thing. I believe that in time, Ted Haggard will come out of this a far stronger Christian and a powerful witness to the glory of God. I also believe his family will stand by him.
Who among us is immune to temptation?
Who among us is called to condemn where God forgives?
I feel sorry for his wife, and their kids. She looked so miserable in the photo in Saturday's paper.
No he's not and he never said he was. Every Christian knows that we all fall far short of the Glory of God and we're never 'good enough'. I hope that Haggard's congregation remembers the Saviours admonision to the woman caught in adultery... 'Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more'.
I sincerely doubt that. He has probably been ashamed and remorseful for years. Haven't you ever done anything that you're ashamed of that you hope nobody ever hears about?
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