Ted Haggard on Oprah

[trillionaire]

Did anyone else watch? I did! What did you think?

 

[Italiahaircolor]

If I can keep my eyes open, I''d like to watch the re-run at 11:15...

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I actually just ordered I Had To Say Something: The Art of Ted Haggards Fall and I cannot wait to read it!!

 

[iheartscience]

I missed it but I would LOVE to see it. Did everyone see that a former (young) member of Haggard''s congregation came forward and said that he had a consensual relationship with Haggard? I''ll try to find the link...apparently Haggard''s church paid him a settlement and paid for his college to keep him quiet.

 

[trillionaire]

Date: 1/28/2009 9:56:25 PM
Author: thing2of2
I missed it but I would LOVE to see it. Did everyone see that a former (young) member of Haggard''s congregation came forward and said that he had a consensual relationship with Haggard? I''ll try to find the link...apparently Haggard''s church paid him a settlement and paid for his college to keep him quiet.

Wowser!

***SEMI SPOILER ALERT***


In case you wanted to be 100% surprised, you may want to read this after, though I don''t go into details...

*********

I thought it was such a fascinating show. You learn some things about his early life, and how he struggled with this issue, and I think it was incredible the way he owned up to his actions and accepted responsibility for such difficult things. It was also interesting to watch him struggle with the issue of homosexuality and is own personal life... like he wanted to carve a special space out for himself... it was very human, in the sense that he really wants to be what his convictions dictate that he should, but it was like he couldn''t completely liberate himself entirely.

I also thought that his wife''s strength and support through this tremendously difficult time represents the very best of human companionship and religious faithfulness, I was really, really impressed. I''m not sure I could be so understanding, but I really admire how she has remained by his side.

All in all, I thought the show was really, really interesting! It really made me think about the complexities of the human experience, and about relationships in general (friendships, families, spouses, congregations, etc)

 

[Kaleigh]

I didn''t know what I was in for watching it today. I had never heard of this man before. I have to say, I was impressed with him, once the facts were out. I think his wife is just lovely and is obviously a very caring person. His problems are not black and white. I am glad he''s getting counseling.

 

[ksinger]

Well, I didn''t see it. While I applaud his recently acquired humility (I had seen a few clips of him before the scandal, and a more arrogant minister I have yet to see), I see a pattern here. Haggard, Larry Craig, and a local guy by the name of Lonnie Latham, a minister from a large megachurch in Tulsa. They caught him trolling a local gay hotel, trying to find some guy to give a blowjob TO. At first this guy, a minister of thunderous condemnation of gays, said it was all part of his "ministry". The collective snort given off by everyone was unreal. Needless to say, he lost his ministry. I guess what I''m saying, is that massive condemnation of gays by public figures - politicians/ministers - seems to often be a red flag for a big case of "methinks he do protest too much".

 

[iheartscience]

Here''s the link to an article about his relationship with a member of his congregation. link

I missed Oprah but I''m sure I would still dislike him even if I saw it. After seeing him rail against homosexuality in the movie Jesus Camp (and then get busted for having sex with a male prostitute), I could never respect him.

Also, he''s obviously gay, so why he won''t accept that and move on is beyond me! Maybe he could start a more inclusive ministry if he would accept his own sexuality instead of continuing to demonize homosexuality.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

His poor wife must be humiliated...mortified. This whole thing seems more like damange control and actual honesty.

 

[MaggieB]

I had a friend in high school who tried to commit suicide and went through Christian reprogramming to cure his homosexuality. It didn''t work.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 1/29/2009 4:24:05 PM
Author: MaggieB
I had a friend in high school who tried to commit suicide and went through Christian reprogramming to cure his homosexuality. It didn''t work.

That''s horrible...I hope he managed to accept himself eventually.

But on a lighter note, have you seen But I''m a Cheerleader? It''s a movie about teenagers at a homosexuality reprogramming place and it is HILARIOUS.

 

[movie zombie]

yes, its a very fun movie!

movie zombie

 

[princesss]

Date: 1/29/2009 4:30:14 PM
Author: thing2of2

Date: 1/29/2009 4:24:05 PM
Author: MaggieB
I had a friend in high school who tried to commit suicide and went through Christian reprogramming to cure his homosexuality. It didn''t work.

That''s horrible...I hope he managed to accept himself eventually.

But on a lighter note, have you seen But I''m a Cheerleader? It''s a movie about teenagers at a homosexuality reprogramming place and it is HILARIOUS.

*scurries off and puts it at the top of the Netflix queue*

And now back to my regularly scheduled lurking...

 

[starsapphire]

Date: 1/29/2009 11:33:21 AM
Author: thing2of2
Here''s the link to an article about his relationship with a member of his congregation. link

I missed Oprah but I''m sure I would still dislike him even if I saw it. After seeing him rail against homosexuality in the movie Jesus Camp (and then get busted for having sex with a male prostitute), I could never respect him.

Also, he''s obviously gay, so why he won''t accept that and move on is beyond me! Maybe he could start a more inclusive ministry if he would accept his own sexuality instead of continuing to demonize homosexuality.

Actually, it is the Bible that does that. Evidentally he is human, and hopefully he can deal with this problem, and move on. Hopefully not in the pulpit though.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 1/29/2009 9:25:51 PM
Author: starsapphire

Date: 1/29/2009 11:33:21 AM
Author: thing2of2
Here''s the link to an article about his relationship with a member of his congregation. link

I missed Oprah but I''m sure I would still dislike him even if I saw it. After seeing him rail against homosexuality in the movie Jesus Camp (and then get busted for having sex with a male prostitute), I could never respect him.

Also, he''s obviously gay, so why he won''t accept that and move on is beyond me! Maybe he could start a more inclusive ministry if he would accept his own sexuality instead of continuing to demonize homosexuality.

Actually, it is the Bible that does that. Evidentally he is human, and hopefully he can deal with this problem, and move on. Hopefully not in the pulpit though.

Hmm, about a decade ago I did a paper on what the Bible says about homosexuality and funny, I couldn''t find proof that it was against it. I did discover a lot of folks dilberately misreading it though. But hey, I was younger, perhaps I missed something. Shame we can''t discuss it further here on PS.

 

[starsapphire]

Date: 1/29/2009 9:29:34 PM
Author: MoonWater

Date: 1/29/2009 9:25:51 PM
Author: starsapphire

Date: 1/29/2009 11:33:21 AM
Author: thing2of2
Here''s the link to an article about his relationship with a member of his congregation. link

I missed Oprah but I''m sure I would still dislike him even if I saw it. After seeing him rail against homosexuality in the movie Jesus Camp (and then get busted for having sex with a male prostitute), I could never respect him.

Also, he''s obviously gay, so why he won''t accept that and move on is beyond me! Maybe he could start a more inclusive ministry if he would accept his own sexuality instead of continuing to demonize homosexuality.

Actually, it is the Bible that does that. Evidentally he is human, and hopefully he can deal with this problem, and move on. Hopefully not in the pulpit though.

Hmm, about a decade ago I did a paper on what the Bible says about homosexuality and funny, I couldn''t find proof that it was against it. I did discover a lot of folks dilberately misreading it though. But hey, I was younger, perhaps I missed something. Shame we can''t discuss it further here on PS.

No, it is not a shame, because as you just demonstrated, two people can read something, and get two completely different things from it. I would rather not debate that on here, but, I just had to clarify that it is not humans, but a religion/belief system that talks about that.

 

[MoonWater]

Date: 1/29/2009 9:40:49 PM
Author: starsapphire

Date: 1/29/2009 9:29:34 PM
Author: MoonWater

Date: 1/29/2009 9:25:51 PM
Author: starsapphire

Date: 1/29/2009 11:33:21 AM
Author: thing2of2
Here''s the link to an article about his relationship with a member of his congregation. link

I missed Oprah but I''m sure I would still dislike him even if I saw it. After seeing him rail against homosexuality in the movie Jesus Camp (and then get busted for having sex with a male prostitute), I could never respect him.

Also, he''s obviously gay, so why he won''t accept that and move on is beyond me! Maybe he could start a more inclusive ministry if he would accept his own sexuality instead of continuing to demonize homosexuality.

Actually, it is the Bible that does that. Evidentally he is human, and hopefully he can deal with this problem, and move on. Hopefully not in the pulpit though.

Hmm, about a decade ago I did a paper on what the Bible says about homosexuality and funny, I couldn''t find proof that it was against it. I did discover a lot of folks dilberately misreading it though. But hey, I was younger, perhaps I missed something. Shame we can''t discuss it further here on PS.

No, it is not a shame, because as you just demonstrated, two people can read something, and get two completely different things from it. I would rather not debate that on here, but, I just had to clarify that it is not humans, but a religion/belief system that talks about that.

And I would like to clarify that it''s humans that created religion and that belief system.

fin.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

Listen, regardless of your religious beliefs...they are strictly yours and not everyone has to agree wtih them--different views are what make the world go round. So, that means a man or woman can be openly homosexual and that is their *right* as a human being...one that no one has the right, or authority to slander or "forcefully" take away from them.

My issue with Ted Haggard is that he went out of his way to slanderize homosexuals, and bring shame upon the community...and then snuck off to have a homosexual affair with a male escort. I honestly don''t care if he''s gay, bi-sexual, bi-curious or straight...what I do care about is honesty and being genuine to ones self, those IMO are the most important qualities a human can posess. Mr. Haggard is not.

I read the transcript from his vist with Oprah...and honestly, I don''t get the vibe from him that is being honest even now. An honest man would own that which is so obvious...that he is, and probably always will be, sexually attracted to men and is not, in any way shape or form strictly heterosexual. And his wife is being so monotone about the whole thing...preaching love and forgiveness...fine, I get that love him and forgive, but where is the hurt over his betrayl? It must be there somewhere. Where is her pain over sharing a life with a man she didn''t even know? You don''t spend your life with a man, having children, building an empire just to have it all so suddenly dashed, and just calmly take it in and move right on along.

Ted Haggard has had multiple love affairs with men...he''s sorry he got caught, thats what this media blitz chalks up to in my mind. I honestly believe that if he hadn''t been "outted" he would still be carrying on with men.

 

[vespergirl]

I found him very likeable and genuine - I feel a lot of sympathy for him after seeing the interview. I think it''s very sad that he was raised in a religious community that makes him believe that his natural sexual urges are "sinful." It''s too bad he couldn''t just happily live in acceptance of his true nature. His wife seems like she''s still suffering.

 

[WishfulThinking]

I have zero sympathy for Ted Haggard. I say that as someone who can relate at least somewhat to the things he is going through.

The man spent is ENTIRE FREAKING CAREER trying to make my life bad. Actively campaigning to condemn me and my life and my love and eradicate my ability to make choices about my personal life is inexcusable, regardless of who you are. That he is such a huge hypocrite makes it all the worse. The man is a freaking criminal. He hired a prostitute. Meanwhile I am a law-abiding citizen and according to him undeserving of basic human decency. Really?

I get that he had a specific religious upbringing that led to his self-loathing behavior about his own sexuality. Whatever he wants to do is fine by me. If he wants to sleep with his wife and pretend that he likes it I''m fine with that. If he wants to send himself to anti-gay bootcamp, that''s great too, although I suspect that as for many others, it will be ineffective in the end. But that is HIS cross to bear. HIS problem. Not mine. And I will not allow him and people like him to measure me against some absurd and subjective moral code and condemn me simply because that is what his personal beliefs dictate. That''s why they''re called personal beliefs. If he''d left me out of this I''d have a lot more sympathy for him... but he didn''t, and I don''t.

 

[trillionaire]

Date: 1/30/2009 9:55:08 AM
Author: Italiahaircolor
Listen, regardless of your religious beliefs...they are strictly yours and not everyone has to agree wtih them--different views are what make the world go round. So, that means a man or woman can be openly homosexual and that is their *right* as a human being...one that no one has the right, or authority to slander or ''forcefully'' take away from them.


My issue with Ted Haggard is that he went out of his way to slanderize homosexuals, and bring shame upon the community...and then snuck off to have a homosexual affair with a male escort. I honestly don''t care if he''s gay, bi-sexual, bi-curious or straight...what I do care about is honesty and being genuine to ones self, those IMO are the most important qualities a human can posess. Mr. Haggard is not.


I read the transcript from his vist with Oprah...and honestly, I don''t get the vibe from him that is being honest even now. An honest man would own that which is so obvious...that he is, and probably always will be, sexually attracted to men and is not, in any way shape or form strictly heterosexual. And his wife is being so monotone about the whole thing...preaching love and forgiveness...fine, I get that love him and forgive, but where is the hurt over his betrayl? It must be there somewhere. Where is her pain over sharing a life with a man she didn''t even know? You don''t spend your life with a man, having children, building an empire just to have it all so suddenly dashed, and just calmly take it in and move right on along.


Ted Haggard has had multiple love affairs with men...he''s sorry he got caught, thats what this media blitz chalks up to in my mind. I honestly believe that if he hadn''t been ''outted'' he would still be carrying on with men.

He did say that he was not strictly heterosexual, and he did say that he has always and will probably always be attracted to men. He just refused to label himself gay or bisexual. He used some weird term for himself, don''t quite remember what it was.

I didn''t realize that he was the minister from Jesus Camp. Crazy movie. Really frightening.