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Rev. Ted's OK With Gays

TED HAGGARD ALT 03 X390 (FAIR USE) | ADVOCATE.COM

Fallen pastor Ted Haggard, attempting to put his scandalous past behind him, says he has become more understanding of gay people and LGBT rights.

"I was always well aware of my own personal struggles, but my desire was to be more Godly," Haggard said, according to KMGH-TV in Denver.  “I was never a religious right, hateful, antigay guy -- secretly running off, except right at the end. I'd say right at the end, before the crisis. That did develop a little bit stronger."

Haggard claims that a childhood experience of abuse led him to get involved with Mike Jones, a scandal that was revealed in 2006. When asked whether being gay is an innate characteristic, he said he hadn't a clue.

"All I know is that in my case, it's a very sad story. I regret that it happened. But, I'm glad I've been through what I've been through to take care of it, because in my story it wasn't about being born gay or being gay. I've always had a wonderful relationship with my wife."

Haggard is working on plans to start a new church in Colorado Springs. He spent 22 years at the New Life Church, when it was revealed that the megachurch pastor was delving into drugs and had a relationship with a prostitute.

Haggard, who is married to a woman, has admitted to “sexual immorality.” Earlier this year, in an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, he characterized his same-sex attractions as “dark and repulsive” and a “compulsion” of which he had been cured.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Lickety Splitz
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 4:07:10 AM
    Hometown: Lez Not Go There

    Comment:

    To "Jessica from El Paso". His paid tricks have said that he's all messed-up "down there", if you get my drift. The ones who are really desperate for cash nervously laugh it off and politely not look while they get down to business. Their rent is due, I suppose. But others have been known to turn around screaming and require PTSD treatments after. You may not be aware of all of this as Ted has been known to hide things from friends, family, his congregation, the media.....etc., etc. By the way, I really should check out your religion. It appears you can do ANYTHING and get to rationali....I mean, be forgiven for it after.

  • Name: Jessica
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 3:21:48 AM
    Hometown: El Paso

    Comment:

    Having met Ted personally, what I cannot understand is why he had to PAY anyone to have sex with him. Trust me, Ted is HOT irl, not to mention incredibly witty, warm, and charming. I can't imagine anyone, male or female, not jumping at the chance to get down with him. As for his so-called hypocrisy, I don't see it. We are all sinners, even clergymen. Ministers are called upon to preach God's word, but none of us can fully live it, that's where God's grace, mercy and forgiveness comes in. God bless you Ted, and keep the faith! <3

  • Name: Brandon
    Date posted: 11/16/2009 1:12:32 AM
    Hometown: Colorado Springs

    Comment:

    For me I am from Colorado Springs, Colorado and it was very fun watching this scandal go down. I was in high school at the time. And the people who went to his church denied the allegations. And After he admitted that he had a gay relationship and did drugs, it was a fun moment in time living there. It was great seeing them get hit down a peg .It was what I needed to be able to live there for three more year before moving to San Francisco. Thank god for Mike Jones.

  • Name: Amy
    Date posted: 11/15/2009 12:23:08 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    I've followed this scandal quite closely and even read Mike's book...Mike is more authentic than Ted, obviously. I'm sure that Ted has a great relationship with his wife, it's more of a best friend type of relationship and he can enjoy the sex but I doubt there's that level of emotion or wholeness that he'd experience with a man. Ted a bisexual? Possible.

  • Name: Larry
    Date posted: 11/14/2009 9:56:32 PM
    Hometown: Pittsburgh

    Comment:

    He needs to be slappe

  • Name: Gene
    Date posted: 11/14/2009 4:15:03 PM
    Hometown: Macungie

    Comment:

    FYI: 's can be used to indicate either a possessive form or a contraction (but not a conjunction). That's [that is] what makes English so bewildering. Examples: Ted's [Ted is] OK with gays. Ted's [possessive] back seat has seen some hot action. But it's [it is] not always so clean. Who's [who is] waiting for Ted to "fall" again? Whose [irregular possessive] glass is on the table without a coaster under it? "It" is also irregular in that one uses the apostrophe only to indicate a contraction, but drops it for the impersonal possessive: Jason says it's [it is] his car that's [that is] dripping its [possessive] oil in the driveway. OMG! Isn't [is not] learning fun!?!?! PS: Ted's [Ted is] a turd.

  • Name: Morry
    Date posted: 11/14/2009 3:53:01 PM
    Hometown: San Francisco

    Comment:

    What a piece of shit!

  • Name: Jim Webber
    Date posted: 11/14/2009 1:06:10 PM
    Hometown: Sacraamento

    Comment:

    Goodie Ted, call your new church "The Church of the Gay Savior." And please be assured that being married to a woman or having sex with one is quite normal for some males. You should not think that your marriage has been "immoral." As for the the "dark and repulsive" side of the gay lifestyle, you can always trade in your leather goods for some good tickling restraints, feathers, etc.

  • Name: James
    Date posted: 11/14/2009 9:42:14 AM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    We are "OK" with this hypocritical pig. He should try a real job instead of being a huckster. He is also a liar. Caught with his pants down like the rest of the bible thumpers.

  • Name: Ginelle
    Date posted: 11/14/2009 9:39:05 AM
    Hometown: British Columbia, Canada

    Comment:

    A word of advice Ted, you can perform all the voodoo you want, you can dance and sing incantations around a caldron, but the reality is you need to be true to yourself. And until you can stand up to yourself and face your reality, you will never be at peace with yourself or with the ones you say you love.



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