Pastor Pathology
I have been following the latest scandal of the week, watching it play out in typical fashion. Allegations. Denials. Reaffirmation of allegations. Partial confirmation of the lesser elements of the allegations. Finally disclosure that some of significant details occurred. Waiting for full and final disclosure.
Some comments in today's AP story about Rev. Ted Haggard struck me.
""The fact is I am guilty of sexual immorality. And I take responsibility for the entire problem," Haggard wrote. "I am a deceiver and a liar. There's a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all of my adult life."
The biggest deception is probably that he and his milleu would refuse to accept was that he was likely gay. He has likely been lying to and deceiving himself for years, pushed into that denial by his peer group. To help his self-denial, he became a zealout in denying that aspect for others. Sad, very sad. The damage he did to himself and others.
13 comments:
I watched this unfold. It was only too obvious last week that he was lying in a major way. What makes anyone think they can tell that caliber of lie in front of millions and get away with it?
Was or IS gay.
pfftttttt does it matter really?
Just another reason why I've lost faith in organized religions. How can they have the nerve to tell others how to live when they can't or won't. I'll stick with my spiritual beliefs, thank you.
Journal of Abnormal Psych 1996(?) Study from Univ of GA. The more homophobic/non-accepting you are; the more likely you are that which you despise. Conversely, the more tolerant/accepting you are; the more secure you are in yourself.
The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, like most academic journals, is an anti-religious publication dedicated to the destruction of Traditional American Family Values and the furthering The Gay Agenda. The ex cathedra pronouncement quoted above is typical of the insidious techniques employed by the intellectualoids to stifle open debate and honest dissent. I suppose that the more loudly I protest against pedophiles means that I am REALLY a pedophile. Give me a break! Don't let one perverted man's shameful descent into buggery most unnatural destroy your faith in the Lord Jesus and in the ultimate goodness of God the Father. Pray instead that this misguided pervert will one day soon return to the bosom of his disgraced wife's marital bed; and that at that blessed moment she will be there awaiting him with a smile on her face and will throw open wide her welcoming legs to receive him in natural love and divine forgiveness.
Anon 8:40pm,
Seriously, that was hysterical. Thanks for the laugh.
Anon 6:38p.m,
That was hysterical. Thanks for the laugh.
Thank you Rev. Haggard for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your ministry, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10 - it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees’ of abomination'?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16). Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
Lord it is tough trying to be a literalist!
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Who hasn’t made a mistake like this in life? The Bible preaches that you are forgiven for your sins once you give yourself over to Jesus. I believe in Brother Haggard and the good work he is doing spreading the word of God. Brother Haggard loves us all and only wishes us to follow the ways of the lord.
You can help Brother Haggard complete the work The Lord has put him here to do. Today is an important election day. Please vote Republican because only they have the belief in His Word and will work for all of our salvation.
GOD is not spelled G.O.P.! Which words did Mark Foley believe? Oh that is right it didn't say "thou shall not come on to teenage boys"
Which words did Jack Ambramoff, Rep. Bob Ney, Rep. Randel Cunningham, Rep. Tom Delay, Rep. Gerlich, and others believe? I didn't get the memo that ammended the "do not lie", "do not steal" sections. Those parties of Mr. Cunningham with both female and male prostitutes must have been truely HOLY affairs! Oh and let us not forget "Rev." Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of the President of another country. Oh Jesus must be so proud that the "Reverend" improved on His message of not "resisting evil with evil," "do unto others as you would have them do unto you," and "those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword".
Come to think of it, I haven't seen Republicans reflect a single quality that Jesus listed in his "sermon on the mount" (Matt. chapter 5 thru 7).
hmmmm
The hypocisy of the religious right is deep. Science is harder to accept than their beliefs in magic. Thank you for pointing out the many inconsistencies in the Bible. The pharisees were thrown out of the temple for claimimg to speak for God. Beware of those who do and be aware of how rich it has made them.
Doesn't it also say to stone adulterers and disrespectful children? Who will be left besides the earlier poster?
I choose the part that says to love one another and judge not lest ye be judged. But it's hard to start a war or a lynching when yo stick to those thoughts.
I get a real kick out of seeing how all of these PROUD "Christians" make anonymous comments!!! The hypocricy continues!!
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