Comments on: Rev. Ted Haggard can walk, ladies and gentlemen! http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:29:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Lonnie http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14400 Lonnie Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:40:36 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14400 This gets to one of my main pet peeves about fundementalist evangelicals; their theology is ethically irresponsible. I mean that in the literal sense. I've had several tell me that a belief that Jesus saved you is the only ethical requirement to be Christian, and that you cannot be saved by good works. In addition, there is a strong belief that we are all "fallen" so that sin is inevitable. From this light, Haggard is merely fulfilling prophesy. The truth is that his church needs sinners so they can be "saved". Once they've been saved then they need to fall so they can be "saved" again. If someone falls far enough, then it is publically declared that they were never <i>Really</i> Christian to begin with. In truth, Salvation is offered like a carrot dangling on a string that none of them ever reach. I personally think this is why you see such a preponderance of strip clubs in the Bible Belt. So, if you get caught with a male prostitute doing meth, then don't blame your own irresponsibility -- Blame JESUS! It worked for Ted! This gets to one of my main pet peeves about fundementalist evangelicals; their theology is ethically irresponsible. I mean that in the literal sense. I’ve had several tell me that a belief that Jesus saved you is the only ethical requirement to be Christian, and that you cannot be saved by good works. In addition, there is a strong belief that we are all “fallen” so that sin is inevitable.

From this light, Haggard is merely fulfilling prophesy. The truth is that his church needs sinners so they can be “saved”. Once they’ve been saved then they need to fall so they can be “saved” again. If someone falls far enough, then it is publically declared that they were never Really Christian to begin with. In truth, Salvation is offered like a carrot dangling on a string that none of them ever reach. I personally think this is why you see such a preponderance of strip clubs in the Bible Belt.

So, if you get caught with a male prostitute doing meth, then don’t blame your own irresponsibility — Blame JESUS! It worked for Ted!

]]> By: Cory Capron http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14170 Cory Capron Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:25:30 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14170 REALLY? For the most part (now and then I'll sit through something or catch the news)I quit TV about two years ago. Somewhere around then we got rid of cable as well. I've seen a chunk of the first season (which was one of the best shows I'd ever seen, but I had no idea they had a different version of the song for each following season. Very cool! REALLY?

For the most part (now and then I’ll sit through something or catch the news)I quit TV about two years ago. Somewhere around then we got rid of cable as well. I’ve seen a chunk of the first season (which was one of the best shows I’d ever seen, but I had no idea they had a different version of the song for each following season. Very cool!

]]> By: Matt http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14164 Matt Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:13:01 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14164 Cory, do you watch The Wire? "Way Down in the Hole" is the opening theme to the show, with each season having a different artist perform it. It's an awesome match for such an amazing tv show. Cory, do you watch The Wire? “Way Down in the Hole” is the opening theme to the show, with each season having a different artist perform it. It’s an awesome match for such an amazing tv show.

]]> By: Samhensel http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14160 Samhensel Tue, 06 Feb 2007 22:49:01 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14160 They're saying it as if he was cured of a disease. Haggard and his friends are a joke. They’re saying it as if he was cured of a disease. Haggard and his friends are a joke.

]]> By: Cory Capron http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14158 Cory Capron Tue, 06 Feb 2007 22:32:18 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14158 "You just got to keep the devil... way DOWN in the hole!" -Tom Waits Just can't seem to get that song out of my head for some reason. :) “You just got to keep the devil… way DOWN in the hole!”

-Tom Waits

Just can’t seem to get that song out of my head for some reason.

:)

]]> By: ha ha! http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14156 ha ha! Tue, 06 Feb 2007 21:44:38 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14156 Maybe not the best choice of post-homosexual wording... "Satan, get thee behind me!" Maybe not the best choice of post-homosexual wording…

“Satan, get thee behind me!”

]]> By: Cory Chandler http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14155 Cory Chandler Tue, 06 Feb 2007 20:28:53 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14155 I shudder to think that there may have been a laying on of hands. I shudder to think that there may have been a laying on of hands.

]]> By: TrvlnMn http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14153 TrvlnMn Tue, 06 Feb 2007 20:05:14 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14153 I remember seeing a news article that blamed the use of Crystal Meth on the resurgence of STD's (HIV in particular) in the gay community, and that it was popular in those circles as a libido enhancer. I mention this now only because I think it puts Haggards crystal meth story into a new perspective. Maybe others have already made that connection, but I was slow in putting two and two together. As for Haggard's claims of being cured of his "affliction," I've got to wonder- who's really going to believe any of that? I would like to feel bad for the guy, he seems to have some serious problems. But his (IMO) damaging and irresponsible advocacy of bigotry in the name of religion make any sympathy impossible. I remember seeing a news article that blamed the use of Crystal Meth on the resurgence of STD’s (HIV in particular) in the gay community, and that it was popular in those circles as a libido enhancer. I mention this now only because I think it puts Haggards crystal meth story into a new perspective.

Maybe others have already made that connection, but I was slow in putting two and two together.

As for Haggard’s claims of being cured of his “affliction,” I’ve got to wonder- who’s really going to believe any of that? I would like to feel bad for the guy, he seems to have some serious problems. But his (IMO) damaging and irresponsible advocacy of bigotry in the name of religion make any sympathy impossible.

]]> By: Jim E-H http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14148 Jim E-H Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:35:58 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14148 But wait! I thought he was never gay, he was just a heterosexual guy who sometimes had sex with a male prostitute. So what's changed? But wait! I thought he was never gay, he was just a heterosexual guy who sometimes had sex with a male prostitute. So what’s changed?

]]> By: Judge Smails http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14147 Judge Smails Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:14:21 +0000 http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/02/ted-haggard-ungayed/#comment-14147 That was quick work. Also remember that although he admits to procuring crystal meth and meeting with a male prostitute, he threw the meth in the trash and he thought it was just a regular massage he was getting. That was quick work.

Also remember that although he admits to procuring crystal meth and meeting with a male prostitute, he threw the meth in the trash and he thought it was just a regular massage he was getting.

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