Ted Haggard, Part I
A conservative, evangelical pastor has been exposed and has admitted, to being a hypocrite. His message: "Do as I say, not as I do." Now in the public arena he is the object of ridicule and shame, and by inference he has dragged along many others.
You can read the details in the paper or any good news site. I want to spend a couple of posts commenting upon this matter.
Why Now The Public Revelation?
The timing and admitted purpose, of Jones’ revelation of his 3-year affair and drug use with Haggard, is to adversely affect a proposed amendment on the upcoming Colorado ballot that would ban same-sex marriage. Haggard has been an outspoken supporter of this amendment, and by exposing him to be a hypocrite the hope would be to motivate voters to oppose the legislation because of his behaviour.
"Truth" Is Bigger Than Any One Person
I do not agree with such logic. “Truth” is not tied to the behaviour of any one person. Ted Haggard’s support or opposition, action or inaction, does not determine whether a specific matter is right or wrong. If an individual believes it would be detrimental to the well-being of the people of his state for same-sex couples to be allowed to legally marry, then he should cast his vote based on his view of the “truth” and not on the behaviour of Ted Haggard.
The Christian Faith Is Bigger Than Any One Person
The Christian faith is not proven to be false because of this man’s behaviour.
Some will use this as a reason to not be connected with the public church. I understand it, but I also find it to be sad. There are many churches that are wonderful and loving collections of believers, and there are many pastors who behave in ways that reflect well upon genuine Christianity. At its heart, Christianity is about a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches we will all stand before God and give an account of our lives. That includes the aforementioned wayward preacher, and that includes you and me. And I am rather sure, at that occasion; the Father will not ask my opinion of Ted Haggard.
We All Have A Heart Of Darkness
In his confession and resignation as pastor, Haggard makes a disturbing statement: “There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I've been warring against it all of my adult life.” I think we all have this disturbing place within. For some it may be even darker, and may be closer to the surface, but for all it is present. It ever lurks, and wants to come out. And if we listen to the prodding and give in to the subtle suggestions, then we will bring injury to ourselves and others. I do not think Ted Haggard is morally bankrupt. He just gave in. The Bible teaches that light expels darkness. But the darkness is always ready to reclaim whenever the light is absent.
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Next post, I want to consider why men like Haggard seem to be so successful in ministry.
11.06.06 (3:06 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
drforbush (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (12:44 pm)
The problem isn't what Pastor Haggard supported, was against or did. The problem is that people are emotional beings and they allow themselves to be pursuaded by emotional arguments.
Political Parties and Politicians have learned or have always known that emotions sway elections. Emotions such as fear and dispare are used to influence who votes, and who votes determines the outcome of elections.
The Republicans were guilty of using fear in the 2004 elections. They used gay marriage and terrorism to provoke fear and get the voters out to the polls and vote for those who promissed to save them.
This year people are combatting the Republicans fear hype with dispair hype. Democrats or the supporters of Democrats are pointing to hypocrisy of those who promissed to save those who voted on fear in 2004. Now, the message to these same voters is, "Look, these guys are just as bad as your other choice, so don't even bother voting." The emotion is dispair in the process.
I don't agree with either policy, and I believe that voting based on emotional reaction will only be giving power to those who don't deserve it. But, my message is not dispair, but instead we can be saved by thinking about the issues rather than reacting to our emotions. Unfortunately it may take some time to teach Americans to think. It isn't going to happen over night.
So, like the emotion of fear that dominated the 2004 elections. This election will be desided by dispair...
posted by:
drforbush (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (12:49 pm)
What the heck happened to my spelling?
It should have read more like this:
The problem isn't what Pastor Haggard supported, was against or did. The problem is that people are emotional beings and they allow themselves to be persuaded by emotional arguments.
Political Parties and Politicians have learned or have always known that emotions sway elections. Emotions such as fear and despair are used to influence who votes, and who votes determines the outcome of elections.
The Republicans were guilty of using fear in the 2004 elections. They used gay marriage and terrorism to provoke fear and get the voters out to the polls and vote for those who promised to save them.
This year people are combating the Republicans fear hype with despair hype. Democrats or the supporters of Democrats are pointing to hypocrisy of those who promised to save those who voted on fear in 2004. Now, the message to these same voters is, "Look, these guys are just as bad as your other choice, so don't even bother voting." The emotion is despair in the process.
I don't agree with either policy, and I believe that voting based on emotional reaction will only be giving power to those who don't deserve it. But, my message is not despair, but instead we can be saved by thinking about the issues rather than reacting to our emotions. Unfortunately it may take some time to teach Americans to think. It isn't going to happen over night.
So, like the emotion of fear that dominated the 2004 elections. This election will be decided by despair...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (1:15 pm)
Reply to: drforbush
I'm intrigued by your insights.
I have chosen not to vote Republican in the upcoming election, although I have faithfully supported the party since the emergence of Reagan. My decision is informed and with a rational basis, I believe. I think the Republicans in Washington today, with exceptions, are not very conservative and are not truly concerned about the same issues as myself. I believe I am being carefully manipulated for my vote. It disturbs me that Carl Rove would have such disdain for evangelicals, even calling us "nuts". It disturbs me that they march out abortion and gay rights during the election season, yet do little legislatively on these issues at other times. It disturbs me that they put us into the war in Iraq, and then do not support the effort sufficiently for true victory. So I'm mad, and as they said in the movie Network, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." I want the Republicans to lose the House and Senate, even knowing it will bring hurt to our nation. I want the Republicans to reflect my values in Washington, and not just to shill for my vote.
We will see what happens tomorrow.
Do you think I have been shrewdly manipulated by the Democrats into this position? To think it may be so is to be quite upset.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (1:22 pm)
Reply to: LadyG
Even though a bad teacher comes along sometimes, they still send their kids to school. Even though every family has some "bad apples", they still have family reunions and holiday gatherings. Even though the political party has some demagogues, they still choose to vote. But the church becomes the whipping post whenever it is exposed as imperfect. How can it not be imperfect? It is made of up sinners!
Thanks.
Are you still in the flower business? At my church we have altar flowers presented by different families every week, in memory or honor of loved ones. This last Saturday evening, about 8 p.m., a florist called me needing to deliver flowers. 8 p.m. on Saturday night! They were fortunate to find me in the church to answer the phone. And these flowers were being given in memory of a couple with a deceased daughter. This company was not on the ball. I told them they had best call me early in the week for such deliveries, to set up a time. I trust your business is run in a better fashion.
The flowers, however, were exceptional.
posted by:
drforbush (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (5:07 pm)
reply to: PastorDave
I expanded the comment above and posted it on my blog if you are interested.
But, to answer your question specifically I would say that it is the nature of politics to provoke your emotions and manipulate people into changing their minds. The environmentalists posted pictures of dead baby seals to play on emotions. The Anti-abortion groups did one better by posting pictures of aborted fetuses. There is no quicker way to get someone to change their minds than to play on someone's emotions.
In politics before Karl Rove their were lots of voices aimed in lots of directions. These people pulled the nation in different directions and on average the moderates were able to maintain order and progress.
However, when Karl Rove figured out how micromanipulation of small groups worked to win elections and the Democrats were still playing by the "Old School" rules the Democrats lost big time and the extreme Right took power. Moderates and Liberals both lost their voice.
I don't know if the the Democrats have been able to master the micromanipulation to the extent of Karl Rove, but they have certainly been making an attempt to copy them. But, like I said, instead of using fear they are using despair as their emotion of choice.
The only way to battle the use of emotional manipulation is to learn what you can about the candidates and issues.
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (6:31 pm)
Someone said something about how people like Haggard becoming so good in the ministry, perhaps it was you Pastor? I've always found that fact to be rather simple, I think with power comes ego and with ego comes arrogance--Jim Jones for instance, I truly think he started out as a godly man trying to do what he was earnestly called to do. But once he attained more power he became more corrupt. With the power seems to come the notion that getting caught is less likely.
posted by:
TheRockSays (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (8:02 pm)
The problem with the The Christian Faith Is Bigger Than Any One Person argument is that the people who need to understand that won't hear it. Christian organizations do so many good things that are still in fashion (charity, for instance) but if someone isn't willing to go beyond a cynical view, they won't hear it.
Single-mindedness has a very powerful instinct of self-preservation, believe me, I know.
posted by:
TheRockSays (
reply)
post date:
11.06.06 (8:07 pm)
Reply to: drforbush
Fear-based politics works in a great many theatres. Up here, in Canada, the Conservatives (and their previous incarnations) had been hamstrung in opposition for years by fear. *Finally* the Liberals went too far, and the Conservatives made it into government (in a minority).
posted by:
seochris (
reply)
post date:
11.07.06 (12:18 am)
That was unfortunate and sad for many conservative believers who in my opinion would believe more on Pastor Haggard that Jesus if He were to come in person today. Thats the scenario.
Even David committed sin and was also punished. Neither the love for him nor the fear for God went down for the people instead I can only say it went higher and higher to such a point that people call David as an angel in Israel while He went to war during his latter years.
In fact during his closing years God Himself testified that David is a man of His own heart.
At best I believe God would surely refine Haggard and chastise him well so that He become a more powerful weapon in the hands of God. You never know God's plan. Its absolutely amazing.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
11.07.06 (7:14 pm)
Oy. Anyway... The weirdest thing.. About a year ago I saw the Tom Brokaw interview with Haggard and I swear I thought to myself, "This guy is gay!" I'm serious.
I feel bad for him for getting all caught up in his religious mania instead of just living his life as God made him. Too bad for him - thumbing his nose at his creator like that.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.08.06 (6:53 am)
Reply to: FinalyFree
Arrogance? It certainly has its presence in ministry. With success, a preacher can get to thinking, "I'm really something!"
I liken it to when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as the crowds erupted in adulation along the way. It must have been quite a scene. The donkey could have been thinking, "Wow. I must be something great.!" In reality, he was just an ass. It was Jesus who deserved the glory.
There are lots of asses out there.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.08.06 (6:57 am)
Reply to: TheRockSays
Right.
A person can become focused on a personal experience of Christian hypocrisy, and ride the accompanying indignation for the rest of life. And what a poor reason to discount anything, especially Christianity.
I know of a man who lived next to a church. One Sunday afternoon he walked out to discover that someone, from the church parking lot, had backed into his car and left his door severly smashed. The culprit never confessed, although this man had his suspicions it was the music director of the church. So, for the rest of his life, he has railed against the church and Christianity. A bad thing happened, but he has been a tiny little man to allow this to sour him on all of Christianity. Obviously it is a convenient excuse.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.08.06 (7:03 am)
Reply to: seochris
An important point.
There is an element of the church, Protestant and Catholic, that elevates too highly the Minister. I can tell you, without any doubt, he/she is simply a fellow human being. He does not have a pipeline to God. He is not necessarily more spiritual than the layman. He is subject to the same temptations and foibles as anyone else.
I have often told others, "I want your faith in God to be so strong that if I falter, you will continue. If one day I renounce my faith, or commit a great sin, still you will continue. Why? Because your faith is based upon God, and upon no man."
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
11.08.06 (7:07 am)
Reply to: surrogate
I feel God intends for him to live his life in faithful, monogomous union with his wife- not fooling around with some male prostitute. If he was going to engage in homosexuality, that decision should have been made before marriage and certainly before helping to bring into this world five children. And, before he founded and directed a conservative Christian church.
God did not make him gay. Homosexual behaviour is a matter of choice.
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
11.08.06 (8:55 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Amen!
