Reflections of the Flock

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Those of you who feel you are qualified to judge a situation about which all you know is what Pelosi spun for you on her for-profit video should be embarrassed by your gullibility and lack of insight. Ted Haggard set in place the system which removed him. When he was mercifully 'outed' from years of a duplicitous, predatory, deceptive life, he lied, obfuscated and minimized. Despite his prior behavior, despite his abhorrent actions and comments upon being exposed, New Life Church spent over 300 thousand dollars to help his family over the next year. In addition, the system HE SET IN PLACE appointed individuals to help him begin the long process of recovery through counseling and oversight.
Having Ted leave was difficult for both the Haggards and for the people who love and care about them, but it was the right thing. The Haggards need healing, something that cannot come in the glare of the spotlight. New Life Church needs the same. Nobody threw the Haggards 'under the bus.'
Now we see the Haggards exploiting the opportunity for the spotlight. Instead of spending the quiet years it takes to find freedom and healing from something like this, Ted made another spectacle of himself by coming onstage, now as the victim.
Ted is not and was not a victim of anything except his choices. The real victims are the thousands upon thousands who were abused, deceived, manipulated and used by him. The real victims are the young men who secretly and, in some cases, openly served as the source of his personal pleasure.
Shame on those who would drink the proverbial grape koolaid of the media and believe the lie about Haggard's innocence. Both they and he need to realize that the true victims are not in his mirror, but in Ted Haggard's wake.

Robert of CO 2:07AM February 21, 2009

I was really upset at how the people of his church treated him.I guess everyone in that church are PERFECT.And what gives them the right to judge him.I always thought that was up to the good lord above.And why should his family have to suffer to.Were all human.And if GOD can forgive why cant everyone else.Thank You and have a Blessed Day

carol of OH 2:13PM February 08, 2009

What a bunch of religious, right-wing, non-thinking hypocrites!
But hey, it's all in the name of jesus.

Jet Ames of CA 5:21PM February 06, 2009

I am genuinely shocked and appalled at the way that the Haggard's were treated after his fall from grace. Many of the above comments capture exactly what I was feeling when I watched the documentary last night. I had never heard of Ted Haggard, nor the scandal until I watched the documentary last night. I literally sat through it with my mouth wide open in complete shock. I could not believe that a church that he started out of his own basement, had grown to over 14,000 members, and been so close with the many members as well as elders would absolutely turn their backs on him in his most dire time of need. I agree with Eddie's comment above, "This is why people like me often think the Gospel is such a joke. 'We're here for you . . . unless you really screw up. Then you're on your own.'" That really hits the nail on the head. They had the chance to really stand up and help him, and not only that but to show the secular and non-secular world the true meaning of Christianity (forgiveness, love, strength, support), and they royally screwed up!! Love should be unconditional. It was their job to control him as a leader after such a controversial scandal, but to banish him from HIS CHURCH, and EXILE HIM FROM THE STATE!!! SERIOUSLY??? I didn't even know that was possible in the United States! Ted Haggard is a great man, who struggles with the sin of the flesh as all of us do. No sin is any worse than another...a liar, an adulterer, a deciever, etc. If he can be forgiven by the Lord Jesus, and the Father God, then what right do we have to place any judgement on him or his family if we want the same forgiveness???

Jenny of TX 1:46AM February 06, 2009

I am genuinely shocked and appalled at the way that the Haggard's were treated after his fall from grace. Many of the above comments capture exactly what I was feeling when I watched the documentary last night. I had never heard of Ted Haggard, nor the scandal until I watched the documentary last night. I literally sat through it with my mouth wide open in complete shock.
I could not believe that a church that he started out of his own basement, had grown to over 14,000 members, and been so close with the many members as well as elders would absolutely turn their backs on him in his most dire time of need. I agree with Eddie's comment above, "This is why people like me often think the Gospel is such a joke. 'We're here for you . . . unless you really screw up. Then you're on your own.'" That really hits the nail on the head. They had the chance to really stand up and help him, and not only that but to show the secular and non-secular world the true meaning of Christianity (forgiveness, love, strength, support), and they royally screwed up!! Love should be unconditional. It was their job to control him as a leader after such a controversial scandal, but to banish him from HIS CHURCH, and EXILE HIM FROM THE STATE!!! SERIOUSLY??? I didn't even know that was possible in the United States! Ted Haggard is a great man, who struggles with the sin of the flesh as all of us do. No sin is any worse than another...a liar, an adulterer, a deciever, etc. If he can be forgiven by the Lord Jesus, and the Father God, then what right do we have to place any judgement on him or his family if we want the same forgiveness???

Jenny of TX 1:42AM February 06, 2009

I am appalled and disgusted with the way the leaders of New Life (maybe even the congregation) treated the Haggard family.They had an opportunity to show what Christianity really is all about and they blew it. The Haggard Family deserves an apology. I think this boils down to their "god", money.New Life would have lost quite a few of their congregation if they actually followed the bible and raised up the Haggard Family to the Lord. I am still looking for the verse in the bible that says to exile sinners.I would be honored to pray with Ted. He still is a leader.

Ruby of CO 12:30AM February 06, 2009

A cooment that makes sense! Thank you Jennifer.
The only part of this that makes absolutely no sense is the response of Ted's former church -- New Life. This is why people like me often think the Gospel is such a joke. "We're here for you . . . unless you really screw up. Then you're on your own."
Apparently New Life has new leadeship now. Why can't the new leadership step up to the plate and confess that while Ted was wrong, and let everyone down, and rightly left leadership, that New Life was also wrong in kicking his family our of the entire state! He should be welcomed with respect and dignity to the church he founded. My gosh -- do they think we live in China or another communist country. If New Life would simply come out and say that during a stressful time they way overreacted, and now show Ted and his family and abundance of love, maybe, just maybe, someone would see the Gospel in action.

Eddie of CO 9:23AM February 05, 2009

I just finished watching the documentary on HBO about Ted Haggard. I did not like him before I watched this piece.
I cried through the entire documentary and felt his pain. I am so ashamed that I judged him when all of this started being revealed about him.
I am VERY ashamed of the church family where he founded the church they now hypocritcally attend and/or run. Jesus would go to dinner ANY night with Ted Haggard over any of these church leaders who have been so cruel to Ted and his family - I am quite sure.
There is a purpose to what has happened to Ted and I pray that he will find his new mission and it will find him VERY soon. He has been through enough and it is obvious that he loves his family and loves the Lord with all his heart!

Jennifer of CO 12:00AM February 05, 2009