Ted Haggard: Speaker Pelosi Sent Words of Comfort and Support After Scandal

Reader Comments

Back to blog

He is a CON MAN & wants it both ways

he is still living a lie .

JACK of NV 8:00PM July 13, 2009

Just found this article via a link on a later one. This is a remarkably thoughtful and truly balanced blog--the best I've seen on American religious topics, hands down. Please keep it active!

Ted Haggard is a great salesman, and now he is selling himself as "saved," probably in hopes of once again leading a congregation. Let's not forget that he and his family have profited enormously from the tremendous harm that he and his ilk have wreaked on the gay community. Were he truly repentant, Haggard would renounce his position that gay relationships are sinful, and work instead to help the gay community realize its dream of open participation in the American polity. We seek to attain full citizenship, including the fundamental rights of marriage and open service in the U.S. military.

torqueflite of CO 1:53PM July 13, 2009

I watched Ted interviewed on the Oprah show, at least he's honest and has dealt with his issues, that's a lot more than most other people do. I identify with what he experienced as I had the exact same experience - I am heterosexual and went through a testing time in my younger years regarding gay attractions. Since it is out of my system I have no need for homosexual relationships at all. Ted's explanation is logical and it does happen, most don't have the courage to 'come out' and admit it, due to the fact that society is judgemental and punishing - not to mention closed minded and arrogant.

Whos is anyone to judge???

maggie of CO 1:00AM May 01, 2009

She has denied telling Ted Haggard that God's love is greater. I didn't think that was in her character, a woman who endorses all the un-Christlike things the Democratic party stands for.

She is costing the American people millions for her jet travel instead of getting a home near her job. Does she care? Not in the least or she would make a "change" ...the platform on which her party supposedly stands for. She should retire and save America.

Former Democrat of PA 2:41PM February 05, 2009

The "demoncrats" are not ones to show God's love in killing unborn babies. They don't even know what the Bible says about a man and woman constituting marriage.

N. Davis of FL 2:27PM February 05, 2009

Change is NEVER easy and while he admits he still has sexual thoughts about men, he also has a wife and family to consider before he goes shooting off his mouth.

On Larry King (January 29th) Haggard admitted the hipocrisy of his past and ownned up to his actions, bad decisions and spoke openly (and seemingly honestly) about how it has affected him. While I do not agree with him that homosexuality is a sin, I completely respect his right to believe that and to try to change. It's all part of the process of his healing and learning who he really is and how to cope with it.

I'm not one of his congregants or even a supporter. I'm a gay man, a Christian and hopefully, to the best of my ability, a compassionate human being who has learned from his own struggles, shortfalls and hipocrisy.

Chris Tatum of TN 11:21AM January 30, 2009

Change is NEVER easy and while he admits he still has sexual thoughts about men, he also has a wife and family to consider before he goes shooting off his mouth.

On Larry King (January 29th) Haggard admitted the hipocrisy of his past and ownned up to his actions, bad decisions and spoke openly (and seemingly honestly) about how it has affected him. While I do not agree with him that homosexuality is a sin, I completely respect his right to believe that and to try to change. It's all part of the process of his healing and learning who he really is and how to cope with it.

I'm not one of his congregants or even a supporter. I'm a gay man, a Christian and hopefully, to the best of my ability, a compassionate human being who has learned from his own struggles, shortfalls and hipocrisy.

Chris Tatum of TN 11:20AM January 30, 2009

Mike Day, the reference to "onetime friend" isn't about the blogger.........read the sentence again and look at the punctuation. Haggard was a onetime friend of GW Bush. Bush is the one who distanced himself from Haggard.

Debra of MA 10:59AM January 17, 2009

I remember reading a while back about how Nancy Pelosi wielded the kind of power as Speaker that even Newt Gingrich back in the day couldn't dream of, and I can see that brand of savvy at work here. Reaching out to Ted Haggard in his downfall, now that's smart.

On some level it could be seen as manipulative, using a guy's personal crisis as a possible avenue of Democratic outreach to and influence with evangelicals, but I'm also sure the reaching out was in itself genuine or it wouldn't have worked. And it's not like Haggard is a naive patsy, either. He probably sees a better chance of a comeback in hitching his cart to Democratic as well as Republican horses. Bipartisanship is the spirit of the new century!

If Obama's election and the 2008 Congressional elections weren't enough of an indication, the Democratic Party is increasingly the big-tent party in America. They reach out even to evangelicals, particularly to the younger set. The Republicans' tent is rapidly shrinking down to the deep South and white evangelicals, and they had better shape up fast and learn the language of post-partisanship if they want to compete. Ted Haggard appears to be learning well, other Republicans could take their cue from him.

JLee of DC 6:03AM January 17, 2009

That is one of the kindest things I've ever heard about Nancy Pelosi and I'm from San Francisco. This is a wonderful human outreach, beyond political maneuvering this seems like genuine kindness extended to a person who was suffering. In the heat of the puerile political conflicts that have divided us as citizens and diminished us human beings, this is an outstanding act of humanity. Reading this made me think more kindly of both of them. Thank you...

Joey Tranchina of CA 4:12AM January 17, 2009

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

God & Country

U.S. News Weekly

Subscribe Now!

Order the new U.S. News Weekly digital magazine at a special low introductory price!

Dan Gilgoff covers religion for U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War, and is a former politics editor at beliefnet. E-mail Dan at godandcountry@usnews.com.

Is increasing access to healthcare a moral or faith-based cause?

View Results

Follow Dan Gilgoff on: Facebook | Twitter | MySpace

Photo Gallery

Faith Photo of the Day

See what's going on in the faith world across the globe every day.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Secrets of Islam

A guide to the world's fastest growing religion.

Sacred Places

Explore the significance, history, and enduring power of places people consider most sacred.

Women of the Bible

The "daughters of Eve" play many roles in the Old and New Testaments.