DOCSLIB.ORG

Ted Haggard As It Has Millions of Others Because

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ted Haggard As It Has Millions of Others Because Christian Worldview Network Page 1 of2 By Patrick Burwell Posted: 11/14/2006 Man-Centered Psychology & Evangelism Failed Ted Haggard as It Has Millions of Others Because It's Godless Why Psychology can never conclude anyone is a False Convert The whole debacle of Ted Haggard's ^'moral failure" points to a glaring issue columnists and pundits have only lightly touched on, if at all, and is the point that isthe very heart ofthe Ted's fall: Ted is not saved. No one can repeatedly and willfully sin against God in such a depraved way for three years and be a Christian, never mind a Pastor and leaderof a Christian association of Evangelicals. It goes against the very nature ofbeing a Christian to willfully continue to sin. Unless a man is born again he Is not a Christian, he will not enter Heaven, PERIOD. ''Believing" is notenough; salvation requires an absolute change ofmind, an absolute house cleaning must take place of all you believe and think and trust in. I remember the first weeks of my converelon with fondness as God, along with many other freeing results, corrected the very definitions ofthe words I had used so loosely before. Words like ''success" and "love" and "abundant" and "sin." So let's be clear right off: Sin is the violation ofGod's Law, the Ten Commandments. Ifyou have ever lied, stolen or lusted you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart, guilty before God and headed for Hell, which you deserve. So let's move on... Why evangelicals are so afraid to call as"sin" what Ted has done only Indicates a lack of desire for personal introspection; an absence of the Fear of Yahweh. Ted didn't have a moral failure as Dr. Dobson labeled this obviously rotten fruit on Ted's dead tree. No, Ted SINNED. No other definition is warranted. And notjust once or twice, butover and overand over, demonstrating no fear of God, no remorse and that he did not have God's Spirit indwelling him. The Christian cannot live willfully continuing to sin - in habitual sin - his very life would come to a steady halt until he faces his evil heart. The Spirit of God will not let a Christian dodge the truth. Ted doesn't need psychological counseling, he needs repentance. God has given Ted a wonderful gift, seeing himself clearly In the Law of God. And the Law of God Is perfect, converting the soul. This is Ted Haggard's greatest hour because now he knows he is mdanger of hellfire. Now Ted can be honest with himself and with God. IfTed Haggard humbles himself and admits honestly his sin he can be saved by Jesus when he trusts Christ's sacrifice to be his sin's payment, submitting to God's will for his life. No my friends, psychology didn't help Ted because psychology is godless, does not convirt, because it does not define sins, provides no way for a man to be freed of his lusts. Ted needs Jesus to be saved from Hell. Ted must surrender to Yahweh utterly In humble submission for the forgiveness of his sins, the violation of the law, not to try harder to "be good." Ted violated the 6th commandment specifically: He had sex outside of marriage. But, no, just how many commandments did Ted violate? Ted can answer these questions for himself, and you, reader, can evaluate yourself as well, with the Law ofGod: 1. Do you put God RRST in your life always? Have you ever failed to do so? 2. Did you make a god you could be comfortable In your sins with? This is idolatry. 3 Did you ever us God's name without honor; Use God's name as a four-letter filth word to express disgust; Dishonor Gods name like Ted did, as he preached acting like he knew God all nnsnooe Christian Worldview Network Page 2 of2 the while harboring sins that demonstrate he could not be His? This Is blasphemy. 4. Did you end from your own WORKS, resting In the finished work of Jesus DAILY, running to Jesus to be free of evil? If not, this is not honoring God's Sabbath Rest for you. 5. Did you ever dishonor your claimed Father in Heaven by living a lie and causing all the world to hiss at Jesus? This Is dishonoring your parents. Certainly such actions would dishonor any parent. 6. Did Ted murder those who raised him, with his anger, blaming them for not raising him right, instead of knowing Ted Haggard was the only one to hold accountable for his sins? Did you ever get angry without cause? This Is murder. 7. Did you commit adultery; commit fornication or homosexuality? Did you commit adultery against God for being unfaithful to Him? 8. Did you ever steal? Did Ted steal the time of all who listened to his sermons, wasting their time with LIES - for whatever you speak of as being true, that you do not believe yourself, is called a lie. 9. Did Ted lie to everyone who knew him; lie to Yahweh when he claimed to trust in Him; lie to his wife when he said he would be faithful to her? All Liars will have their place in the lake of fire. 10. And did you desire what was not yours to have? This is covetousness, or being greedy. If any of us violate the Law of God our sentence is Hell, ourjust reward from a Righteous and Holy Judge. But God doesn't want Ted or you to go to Hell. God has made the way if you want to be forgiven. But Jesus is your only hope: Only Jesus Saves. Make Psalm 51 your prayer and surrender to Jesus as Lord, believing He alone can save you, confessing all your Law violations to Him, all your sins you have committed. Then read your Bible daily and obey what you read. But STOP LOOKING TO Psychology to help you; it will only lead you straight to Hell, if the end result is not repentance and faith in Jesus. Patrick J Burwell OnlyJesusSaves.com Distributed by www.ChrlstlanWorldviewNetwork.com 11/15/2006 fage i ol ^ Rocky Mountain News: Local Rocky Mountain News To print this page, select File then Print from your browser URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/tocal/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5112770,00.html Amid allegations, Haggard steps aside By Rocky Mountain News November 2, 2006 COLORADO SPRINGS —The Rev. Ted Haggard stepped aside as senior pastor of the File photo © 14 000-member New Life Church and resigned today as president of the National News Association ofEvangelicals amid allegations by a former gay male escort that thetwo had a three-year sexual relationship. Rev. Ted Haggard of New The church issued a statement saying Haggard "could not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning." Life Church in Colorado Haggard has said that the escort is lying. Springs, shown in this file The statement said heplaced himself on administrative leave pending investigation, spiritual photo, is counsel, and a decision by thechurch's board ofoverseers, which consists offour senior temporarily pastore of other congregations. stepping down "I am voluntarily stepping aside from leadership sothat theoverseer process can beallowed amid to proceed with integrity," Haggard said ina statement. allegations he had a three- "I hope to be able to discuss this matter in more detail ata later date. In the interim Iwill seek year sexual both spiritual advice and guidance." relationship Mike Jones, 49,ofDenver, made his allegations onthePeter Boyles show on KHOW 630 with a gay AM, saying hewas compelled to come fonward because he believes Haggard, anopponent male who is a of same-sex unions, Is being hypocritical. former escort. "After sitting back and contemplating this issue, the biggest reason is being a gay man all my The charges life, Ihave experience with my friends, some great sadnessofpeople that were in a come on the relationship through theyears," and were not able toenjoy thesame rights and privileges as eve of a married man and woman, Jones told Boyles on air. Colorado voting on two "I felt it was my responsibility to my fellow brothers and sisters, ttiat Ihad totake a stand, and1cannot sit back anymore and hear(what) to meis an anti-gay message." ballot issues relating to Haggard told KUSA Channel 9that "I've never had a gay relationship with anybody, and I'm gay marriage. steady with mywife. I'mfaithful to mywife." Jones, who told a banknjptcy judge last year that he is a seif-employed fitness consultant, told Boyles that he was paid money by Haggard, who he says made frequent trips to Denver for sexual liaisons, that he has recorded voicemails and a letter from Haggard, and that he had also witnessed Haggard usemethamphetamine. Jones offered l:o take a polygraph examination, and Boyles said that will occur Friday during his morning radio show. Some community leaders in the Colorado Springs had scheduled a rally this afternoon in support of Haggard but canceled the gathering at the request ofthe church. New Life's board of overseers has the authority to conduct an inquiry, discipline the senior pastor, remove him firom the position or restore him to ministry, the church statement said. I/25/2006 Rocky Mountain News: Local New Life's associate senior pastor, the Rev. Ross Parsley, will serve as acting senior pastor. "New L.e Church long ago adopted an overseer .ode, of governance for situations Just lIKe this.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • How the U.S. Christian Right Is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa
    Colonizing African Values How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa A PUBLICATION OF POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES BY KAPYA JOHN KAOMA Political Research Associates (PRA) is a progressive think tank devoted to supporting movements that build a more just and inclusive democratic society. We expose movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights. PRA seeks to advance progressive thinking and action by providing research-based information, analysis, and referrals. Copyright ©2012 Political Research Associates Kaoma, Kapya John. ISBN-10: 0-915987-26-0 ISBN-13: 978-0-915987-26-9 Design by: Mindflash Advertising Photographs by: Religion Dispatches, Michele Siblioni/AFP/Getty Images, Mark Taylor/markn3tel/Flickr This research was made possible by the generous support of the Arcus Foundation and the Wallace Global Fund. Political Research Associates 1310 Broadway, Suite 201 Somerville, MA 02144-1837 www.publiceye.org Colonizing African Values How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa A PUBLICATION OF POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES BY KAPYA KAOMA POLITICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES i Colonizing African Values - How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa Foreword ganda’s infamous 2009 Anti-Homosexuality Bill, onstrates in Colonizing African Values that the Ameri- which would institute the death penalty for a can culture wars in Africa are growing hotter. Tracing U new and surreal category of offenses dubbed conflicts over homosexuality and women’s repro- “aggravated homosexuality,” captured international ductive autonomy back to their sources, Kaoma has headlines for months. The human rights community uncovered the expanding influence of an interde- and the Obama administration responded forcefully, nominational cast of conservative American inter- the bill was tabled, and the story largely receded ests.
    [Show full text]
  • Tabalujan, Benny Simon (2020) Improving Church Governance: Lessons from Governance Failures in Different Church Polities
    Tabalujan, Benny Simon (2020) Improving church governance: Lessons from governance failures in different church polities. MTh(R) thesis. https://theses.gla.ac.uk/81403/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] Improving Church Governance Lessons from Governance Failures in Different Church Polities by Benny Simon TABALUJAN A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Theology (University of Glasgow) Edinburgh Theological Seminary 10 December 2019 © Benny Tabalujan, 2019 i Abstract This thesis focuses on the question as to whether using a particular church polity raises the likelihood of governance failure. Using the case study research method, I examine six case studies of church governance failures reported in the past two decades in the English media of mainly Western jurisdictions. The six case studies involve churches in the United States, Australia, Honduras, and Singapore. Three of the case studies involve sexual matters while another three involve financial matters. For each type of misconduct or alleged misconduct, one case study is chosen involving a church with congregational polity, presbyteral polity, and episcopal polity, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Minister in Gay Prostitution Scandal to Make 'Groundbreaking' Announcement Recommend 89 People Recommend This
    EDITION: U.S. INTERNATIONAL Sign up Log in Home Video NewsPulse U.S. World Politics Justice Entertainment Tech Health Living Travel Opinion iReport Money Sports Feedback Minister in gay prostitution scandal to make 'groundbreaking' announcement Recommend 89 people recommend this. By the CNN Wire Staff June 2, 2010 1:56 a.m. EDT NewsPulse Most popular stories right now Ted Koppel mourns son's death Stuck blade stalls BP effort to STORY HIGHLIGHTS (CNN) -- Ted Haggard, the megachurch pastor and former National cap well Ted Haggard's career as a Association of Evangelicals chief whose career was undone by a gay pastor went south after a sex prostitution and drugs scandal in 2006, is expected to talk about the UK police find body believed to and drugs scandal in 2006 next step in his career Wednesday. be suspected Haggard admitted to the sex 40 years of marriage, then the allegations, but said he tossed With his family by his side at his Colorado Springs home, Haggard is the drugs separation expected to a make "surprise groundbreaking" announcement, He also stepped aside as pastor according to a news statement Tuesday. A jazzy wedding for 'Glee's' of the 14,000-member New Life Church Jane Lynch In 2006, Haggard admitted he had received a massage from a Explore the news with NewsPulse » Denver, Colorado, man who claimed the prominent pastor had paid him for sex over three years. Haggard also admitted he had bought methamphetamine but that he threw it away. After the allegations were made public, Haggard resigned as president of the influential National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella group representing more than 45,000 churches with 30 million members.
    [Show full text]
  • “Loving the Sinner, Hating the Sin”: an Analysis of American
    1 “LOVING THE SINNER, HATING THE SIN”: AN ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN MEGACHURCH RHETORIC OF HOMOSEXUALITY Presented to The Faculty of the Department of Religion The Colorado College In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Arts By Ann Duncan May/2014 2 Introduction Recently the issue of homosexuality has come to represent a majorly divisive factor within American Christianity as more and more churches are defining their boundaries, or lack thereof, at homosexuality: many congregations believe that practicing homosexuality is not an acceptable aspect of one’s life that will allow passage into God’s Kingdom or salvation. Within megachurches, Protestant churches having at least 2,000 attendees per week, homosexuality often presents itself as a divisive and controversial issue. Megachurches tend to be situated on the more conservative and evangelical end of the spectrum of Protestant Christianity and, therefore, many of their congregations have expressed disapproval of homosexuality; they preach doctrines providing content for rhetoric following the guidelines of sexual purity as follows from divine law within their congregations. These doctrines include the biblical literalist approach to abiding by divine law, the presence of sin in today’s world, and the conscious choice to continue living a life in sin. It is through the combination of these doctrines, one choosing to act in a sinful manner going against the divine law accepted when one takes a literal approach to the Bible, which allows megachurches to arrive at the conclusion that the “homosexual lifestyle” constitutes a sin worthy of condemnation. However, megachurches are also using rhetoric of love and acceptance regardless of sexuality.
    [Show full text]
  • ARTICLES Public Schools Are Not Religion Free Zones J. Brent Walker ...20 BOOK REVIEWS the Early Church On
    Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics Volume 22, Number 1 Aggregate Issue 92 Winter 2014 “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23 ARTICLES Pope Francis and The Joy of The Gospel Walter B. Shurden ............................. 2 Evangelicals and Climate Change Charles Redfern ................................................. 5 Black Baptists and Same Sex Marriage Aaron Douglas Weaver ..................... 9 The Re-assassination of MLK Wendell Griffin .............................................................14 Sexual Predators Beware! Rita Hoyt Jenkins ................................................................17 Public Schools are not Religion Free Zones J. Brent Walker .........................20 Marriage and Contraception Nathan C. Walker .......................................................21 A “Duck Call” For All J. Randall O’Brien ..............................................................................22 God as Sister, God and Sister Martin E. Marty ...........................................................23 BOOK REVIEWS The Early Church on Killing, by Ron Sider Reviewed by Tony Campolo ...24 By the Rivers of Water, by Erskine Clarke Reviewed by Darold Morgan ...25 VERSE Bringing Transcendence in Play James A. Langley ................................................27 KUDZU by Doug Marlette Pope Francis and The Joy of the Gospel By Walter B. Shurden mazon gives it five stars! I think Francis’ intent could not be more Persons, and the
    [Show full text]
  • Bruxy Cavey and the Meeting House Megachurch: a Dramaturgical Model of Charismatic Leadership Performing “Evangelicalism for People Not Into Evangelicalism”
    Bruxy Cavey and The Meeting House Megachurch: A Dramaturgical Model of Charismatic Leadership Performing “Evangelicalism for People Not Into Evangelicalism” by Peter Schuurman A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2016 © Peter Schuurman 2016 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ! ii ! Abstract Megachurch pastors—as local and international celebrities—have been a growing phenomenon since the 1960s, when megachurches began to proliferate across North America. Why are these leaders and their large congregations so popular in an age of increasing “religious nones”? Commentators in both popular and academic literature often resort to characterizing the leadership with stereotypes of manipulative opportunists along the lines of Sinclair Lewis’ Elmer Gantry (1927) or narrow characterizations of savvy entrepreneurs who thrive in a competitive religious economy. Similarly, writers assume megachurch attendees are a passive audience, or even dupes. This dissertation challenges the Elmer Gantry stereotype and the religious economic perspectives by examining one particular megachurch pastor named Bruxy Cavey in the context of his “irreligious” megachurch community called
    [Show full text]
  • Megachurches, Pastoral, and Theologies of Consumption
    disClosure: A Journal of Social Theory Volume 19 Consuming Cultures Article 12 4-2010 After the Garden is Gone: Megachurches, Pastoral, and Theologies of Consumption Andrew Battista University of Kentucky DOI: https://doi.org/10.13023/disclosure.19.12 Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/disclosure Part of the English Language and Literature Commons This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License. Recommended Citation Battista, Andrew (2010) "After the Garden is Gone: Megachurches, Pastoral, and Theologies of Consumption," disClosure: A Journal of Social Theory: Vol. 19 , Article 12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13023/disclosure.19.12 Available at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/disclosure/vol19/iss1/12 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by disClosure: A Journal of Social Theory. Questions about the journal can be sent to [email protected] Battista Andrew Battista church is similar Lo many olher garganluan worship cenlers, in that it claims Lo welcome diversity but is comprised mainly of a white, educated, middle-class core. According to the After the Garden is Gone: Hartford Institute for Religion Research, which has provided Lhe mosl thorough research aboul the megachurch movemenl available thus far, megachurch members are "more Megachurches, Pastoral, and affiuenl on average Lhan churchgoers of lhe nation as a whole."3 Over one-fourth of Theologies of Consumption megachurch allendees have a household income of over $100,000, and nearly two-thirds I werit to the Garden of Love, And saw what I never had seen: make al least $50,000.4 Soulhland, a massive estate that many Lexington residents A Chapel was built In the midst, pejoratively refer to as "Six Flags over Jesus," is one example of a trend where evangelic~! Where I used co play on the green.
    [Show full text]
  • 79 Pastor's Marital Relationship One of the Most Significant Reasons
    79 CHAPTER 3 THE CAUSES AND CURE OF THE MORAL FAILURE OF PASTORS Pastor’s Marital Relationship One of the most significant reasons behind pastoral attrition is the increasing number of clergy who violate their marital vows and commit adultery. This has become so commonplace in the United States that an alarm about this grave danger must be sounded to young pastors entering the ministry. Here we will examine how prevalent the problem is quantitatively, and then look for causes and cures. All of my research and interviews with pastors who have failed morally indicate an interesting common denominator—almost every pastor admitted to me that his marriage was not vibrant, romantic, sexually passionate, or spiritually intimate when he began the affair. The fallen pastors remarked that their marital relationship(s) had corroded to that of a “roommate” coexistence instead of that of two lovers achieving new levels of spiritual, emotional, and sexual intimacy. Sexual activity and intimacy was stale, unplanned, and infrequent. These marriages resembled more of a brother/sister relationship than that of lovers—they were simply two people coexisting. Similarly, the couples’ spiritual bond was disconnected, as evidenced by infrequent prayer time together and less sharing of spiritual needs. I interviewed a number of successful, young, cutting-edge pastors who built large churches and who each committed adultery at around their five-year church anniversaries, just as their congregations showed signs of permanent influence and establishment, several with 1,000 or more people attending. 80 Why the five-year mark of moral decline? Why in the midst of becoming established and showing outward signs of success? According to a report published by the Francis Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership, 77 percent of pastors responding to a survey indicated that they did not have a good marriage.83 Several of the pastors I interviewed indicated their poor marriages were a reality for years prior to the start of their churches and their illicit affairs.
    [Show full text]
  • Rick Warren, the Megachurch Movement, and Early Twenty-First Century American Evangelical Discourse
    ABSTRACT A NEW PURPOSE: RICK WARREN, THE MEGACHURCH MOVEMENT, AND EARLY TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY AMERICAN EVANGELICAL DISCOURSE by Myev Alexandra Rees This thesis is a study of Rick Warren, celebrity pastor and bestselling author of The Purpose Driven Life, and his role in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century American evangelical discourse. This thesis provides a historical, cultural, and theological description of American evangelicalism and of the megachurch movement in order to facilitate an understanding of Warren’s influence on both categories. Finally, this thesis argues that Warren’s influence and leadership are causing a cultural and theological shift within American evangelicalism. A NEW PURPOSE: RICK WARREN, THE MEGACHURCH MOVEMENT, AND EARLY TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY AMERICAN EVANGELICAL DISCOURSE A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Comparative Religion by Myev Alexandra Rees Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2009 Advisor ___________________________________ (Dr. Peter W. Williams) Reader ____________________________________ (Dr. James Constantine Hanges) Reader ____________________________________ (Dr. Mary Kupiec Cayton) Table of Contents Introduction......................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: The Early Twenty-First Century American Evangelical Discourse ..............................3 Chapter 2: The Megachurch Movement
    [Show full text]
  • Exvangelical: Why Millennials and Generation Z Are Leaving the Constraints of White Evangelicalism
    Digital Commons @ George Fox University Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations 2-2020 Exvangelical: Why Millennials and Generation Z are Leaving the Constraints of White Evangelicalism Colleen Batchelder Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin Part of the Christianity Commons GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY EXVANGELICAL: WHY MILLENNIALS AND GENERATION Z ARE LEAVING THE CONSTRAINTS OF WHITE EVANGELICALISM A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF PORTLAND SEMINARY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY COLLEEN BATCHELDER PORTLAND, OREGON FEBRUARY 2020 Portland Seminary George Fox University Portland, Oregon CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ________________________________ DMin Dissertation ________________________________ This is to certify that the DMin Dissertation of Colleen Batchelder has been approved by the Dissertation Committee on February 20, 2020 for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Global Perspectives Dissertation Committee: Primary Advisor: Karen Tremper, PhD Secondary Advisor: Randy Woodley, PhD Lead Mentor: Jason Clark, PhD, DMin Copyright © 2020 by Colleen Batchelder All rights reserved ii TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................. vi ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER 1: GENERATIONAL DISSONANCE AND DISTINCTIVES WITHIN THE CHURCH .......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Religion Newswriters Association Public
    Religion Newswriters Association Public http://www.rna.org/pr_061213top10.php?printer_friendly=1 DEC. 13, 2006 Results: Top 10 religion stories of the year The online poll of RNA members was conducted Dec. 8th to 12th. A total of 149 people voted for a response rate of 35 percent. RNA has conducted the poll since the 1970s. This year's results appear below. 1. Muslims in a number of countries react violently to publication of Muhammad cartoons in Denmark and other European nations. Scores of both Christians and Muslims are killed in riots in Nigeria. 2. Pope Benedict XVI angers Muslims by including in a speech a centuries-old quote linking Islam and violence. He apologizes and later smooths the waters on a trip to Turkey. Earlier, he begins to downsize the curia and emphasizes God's love in his first encyclical. 3. The Episcopal Church riles conservatives when the General Convention elects a presiding bishop who supported the consecration of a U.S. gay bishop, which conservatives oppose as unbiblical. Seven Episcopal dioceses refuse to recognize the leadership of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who is also the first woman elected to the top post. Later, the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin becomes the first diocese to adopt measures that set the stage for it to secede from the denomination. 4. Charismatic leader Ted Haggard resigns as president of the National Association of Evangelicals and is dismissed as pastor of the huge New Life Church in Colorado Springs after allegations surface of gay sex and methamphetamine use. 5. Candidates backed by the Religious Right suffer a series of defeats in the fall elections, with many voters citing morality as one of the strongest motivators in the way they cast their ballot.
    [Show full text]
  • First Friday News & Views
    DECEMBER 2006 First Friday VOLUME 11 News & Views ISSUE 12 THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE Haggard Haggard FIRST FRIDAY by Jonathan Wilson BREAKFAST CLUB, INC. he Reverend Ted Haggard has to be a tad bit haggard heading into the holidays. The gay-bashing, married-to-one-woman pastor, father of five, and head of the National Association of Evangelicals has admitted to using his parishioners’ money to buy INSIDE meth and massage from a male prostitute. Incredibly for anyone who wasn’t born yes- Tterday, the admitted liar has publicly denied that he actually used the meth or that the massage(s) “Babel” Movie Review 2 turned sexual. For my money, I figure we’ve been shown only the tip of Haggard’s experience by Gary Kaufman with male purveyors of pleasure. There are almost certainly more where the one came from. Those disclosures are for another day. Speaker Review 3 by Bruce Carr Church member E.J. Cox [I’m not making this up] reacted by saying, “People are al- ways saying stuff about Pastor Ted. You just sort of blow it off.” [I swear I’m not making this up] Blowing it off proved problematic for Pastor Ted, and blowing off rumors about him has Briefs & Shorts 3 proven problematic for his parishioners. Truth be known, as it now is, and true to his name, Pastor Ted has been pretty haggard From the Editor 4 all his life; he claims that he has been waging war with a “dark side” within himself as long as he can remember.
    [Show full text]