Another Sex Scandal for Haggard

On Friday, The New Life Church in Colorado Springs, former pulpit of scandal-ridden Ted Haggard, announced the details of a previously undisclosed sexual relationship Haggard had with a young male church volunteer. The announcement comes just as Haggard, 52, has begun attempting to rebuild his reputation. He is in the middle of a media tour promoting an HBO documentary airing next Thursday about his time out of the spotlight. He recently taped an interview with Oprah Winfrey and has an upcoming slot on CNN's Larry King Live.

Brady Boyd, the current senior pastor said that the church had wanted to keep the relationship (which apparently went on for a “long period of time” and began when the young man was of legal age) a private matter, but was prompted to disclose the details when he was contacted by a Colorado Springs TV station and informed that the young man planned to release full details of the relationship to the press.

The church reached a legal settlement with the young man agreeing to pay for education and counseling on the condition that the relationship was never publicly discussed. He added that the church won’t take any legal action against the man even if he violates the terms of the settlement and talks about the relationship to the media. The publicity surrounding the upcoming documentary, reported to somewhat portray Haggard as a victim, may have motivated the young man to come forward.

Why can’t these religious leaders keep it in their pants?

(Photo: HBO)

Comments

[radioriot]

Man, I wish I could get as much cock as this closet case. Once you go gay, you can't stay away!

[Sean Egan]

Ted Haggard... What a little pussy...

[Adam]

All I can say is HYPOCRITE!

[Tyler]

Praise Jesus!!!! Another piece of honesty! (tic)
After years of abuse I became an UNborn-again christian. But I must say if Jesus is real what an embarrassment to Him.

[The Devil of the Contra Code]

ha.

Hahaha.

HAHAHAHA.

HaAhahAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~!

Gotta love it. Ted, you keep doing me proud. Please bring more shame to your Six Flags over Jesus.

[John]

Jesus IS real, it is Haggard who is not. We are ALL beloved children of God, JUST THE WAY WE ARE,don't blame God of Jesus for the way we are treated, it is Man (some men anyway) who mis-represent God to their own liking.

[Devil of the Contra Code]

Sorry John. Led Zeppelin will not tour this year. There was no NASA conspiracy. And Jesus is imaginary. There is no god of any kind.

[Me]

Hahaha... Haggard is such a STUD!!! I'm starting to like this guy!!! I mean, it is as if he is designing his life to make a mockery out of this sick perverted religion!!! I mean he is not doing anything illegal. It was just that this is such a phony religion, he can't help but having fun with it and might as well making money from these clueless crusaders on the side.

[Will]

Okay why has this suddenly turned into a Christianity bashing. Can we grow up and not make fun of other people's religions. Sometimes we are worse than those who are "judging" us. Please grow up.I wonder why the gay community is a mess and now i see there are a lot of snickering girls and not many real mean around here.

[blah2323]

It's sickening how bitter formerly Christian-now-atheist or Wiccan gays grab at straws and revel in a few bad individuals within the Christian faith. We're all human, we all make mistakes. I'm not excusing sexually perverse ministers or priests but none among you are without sin and flaws. I'm sure each and every one of you knows someone who's gay or bi and either committed adultery/cheated, had sex with a minor, did drugs, physically & emotionally abused someone, and most importantly passed judgement on others. Don't be hateful like the FEW Bible quoters who don't like or even hate you--it accomplishes nothing but spreading hate. It's bad enough we've got enough hate coming from Islamic extremists and many around the world who don't like America and want to see us crumble...The type of blog posts I'm reading aren't any different than the hate spread by Al-Queda, the Nazis, the KKK, the Black Panthers. I'm not defending Haggard. We need to find more peaceful means of expressing ourselves, hate begets hate.

[if]

Come on guys. If it did happen when the 'boy' was of legal age we can't really make a big deal out of it. I have a feeling that some of the people bitching about the Church not wanting gay marriage are the same people hounding this guy for attempting to have something other than the Church that makes him happy. Stop getting all uppity about things like this. Those reactions are just as much a part of the problem. Let the man be.

[Sparky]

I wonder if he just came out if it would still be a scandal?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Devil of the Contra Code]

Fuck the gay shit. I will mock anything irrational and nonsensical. Religion gets no free pass. And screw the people within who make it look bad. I wouldn't care. This has nothing to do with morals and people being perfect. This has to do with an institution that is mindblowingly illogical in every aspect of science and critical thinking. This has nothing to do with me being a homo.

[Daniel]

I'm not sure how the human race came into existence, perhaps the incredible design of living things came about over time or by something that could be designated as a god. I'm not making fun of nothing just stating my belief/faith that Christianity is a made up hoax. There are a lot of people who truly believe in it and then there are many who say they do but live lives in direct conflict with it like Haggard and all you gay Christians. The bible teaches against gayness because the bible is not true or offer absolute truths, for there is nothing wrong with being gay, its a natural state of being for many. We are indoctrinated starting often within our mothers wombs about Christianity (and other religions) and it is hard to see the light about something that was drilled in you for all your life, but it is just a man made up system for controlling people. I know that will not stand well with a lot of folks but, oh well. This idea that if you don't believe in Christianity but that you should not say that you don't out of respect for other people's religion is crap and another form of control. After all religions are the direct cause of persecution of gays, why should I respect anything about them. By the way, the people that I have seen following the bible the most closely like first century Christians are called cults and nuts and often by the same watered down wishy washy Christians that most people are.

[Radd_d81]

This man's pathetic actions don't make me doubt my faith at all, for those who allow it to do so, your faith wasn't even there in the first place.

Just because someone is in a high position in a church, DOES NOT mean they know god, or know god better than anyone else. He's just a man, and all men are imperfect.

There are many men out there who do sick twisted, and low crap,and always hide behind something because they are cowards, whether they create/do something grotesque, and try to say its art, twist religion around to justify the evil they do, and or condemn others religiously, because of the guilt they have in their own lives.

God is all about forgiveness and love, and this man condemning the hearts of other men (which I'm sure he did) while doing the very same thing he was so "strongly against" is proof the man knows nothing about god. The ONLY people who god rejects, are those who reject him, and wish harm, or do harm on the people who have love in their hearts for him.

[Jason-wpg]

This minister is a gay man, and like it or not, he is one of us. Some people have trouble coming out or being open about who they are. Whatever happened to compassion? I hope that one day he will admit to himself and the world who he is and has always been and I will welcome him to a community of kind, loving, caring, honest people. You don't know the guy's background, so let him come to terms with this the way he needs to. His family is probably the reason he has lied about who he really is, and in a couple of years when he's marching in a parade or being a vocal activist for change to help us, a lot of you will probably eat your own words. Yes, I hated the guy when I first heard of him too, but I examined it and held him up to myself, and I'm just as guilty because for many years I stood by and did nothing to help the gay community, and I'm sad to say the words faggot and queer came out of my mouth once or twice in a vicious way towards another person. The thing you gotta remember is we're not all the same, our circumstances are different, and some people NEED MORE TIME. Mr. Burns on The Simpsons says it best--"Push out the jive, bring in the love."

[Kathleen]

Haggard is an idiot. Or at least someone who simply cannot justify his desires with what he was indoctrinated with his entire life. He is the postor boy for hypocrites. That said, when the discussion turns to whether or not religion in the sense of established communities of people who believe in a particular God, heaven, the Son of God, whatever...I feel I must stand up in defense of my belief in the institution of religion. Devil of the contra code--you say that religion is "illogical in every aspect of science and critical thinking". Ok, so to you it appears that way. To your understanding of critical thinking you believe that to be true. I'm more than willing to let you think that. However, what you don't seem to be able to do is allow me and many others that same priviledge. I happen to believe that the big bang theory is a pretty silly concept--but you won't find me taking away yours or anyone else's right to argue the merits of it. I certainly don't hate you for believing that, or whatever you do believe in. I don't even know you. So, dial it back just a bit and give us the same respect for having beliefs different than yours. Granted, there are some pretty wacky and hypocritical religious folks out there--and they should be held accountable for their actions. And if anyone claims to be a follower of Christ--our own Bible says they have to be held to a higher standard than those who don't...and that ain't easy. But if you do believe in a particular religion than it should be evident by the way you live. And no one should say you don't have the right to believe and live according to your beliefs.

[accettazione]

blah2323, there is so little to add to what you have said, I dont think I will!! thank you!

[Me]

Puh lease!!! God and the likes is the last thing this religion is concerned about. Nowadays, cocks, balls, pussies and assholes are all you hear about from this religion. Man! They spent millions on indoctrinating everyone on earth that cocks can only fuck pussies. Telling people that their God prefers it that way. They spent millions more to screw those that prefer to stick their cocks into assholes, as it doesn't please their Gods. Making filth this religion's cornerstone, no wonder filth is all this religion attracts. Filth like Haggard, Geoghan, O'Grady, Ryan, Seroba, Smyth, etc... I mean, the one making the most filthy comments (Rick Warren, etc...) about other people that don't think and act like them (Gay people, etc...) gets the highest reward, he gets to pray to Hussein Osama's Dad in front of millions! Haven't contributed a single positive thing to humanity since the last 100 years, this religion is getting more and more irrelevant. If you look for salvation, go somewhere else. If you prefer filth, step on up! The new batch of altar boys/male church volunteer looks sooo whory this year.

[Wyatt1969again]

Hmmm.

I agree with Kathleen - mostly.

Eh...

But the Big Bang theory is not silly to me. It answers many but not all questions.

Like God or my belief in him, her, whomever, whatever - there is a measure of faith which I must instill in my choice to simultaneously embrace science.

For me - the grand molecular web of life - with all its intricacies -elite quantifcations - deceptively eloquent solutions - is as powerful as any spiritual philosophy.

And so perhaps we should agree to disagree.

But make no mistake about it.

It is the inherent dilema created by Democracy which affords you the privilege to posit "live" over "believe".

If everyone has the right to live as they believe then no one can be free.

[zach]

This guy looks like a fag and acts like one....but he tries to say he is not..actually he looks a lot like one of those To Catch A Predator guys you would think looks like...I bet a lot more men and boys will come forward. I don't care what you do in private but he tries to deny it when he gets caught..HIPOCRITE....He's an ugly fag too...

[john]

I remember watching Mr. Haggard on Jesus Camp, and we all commented on how hysterical it would be if he "fell from grace" as other TV evangelists before him have done. I feel for his congregation and family, however, he is getting exactly what he deserves. NONE of the preachers I have witnessed practice the true teachings of Jesus. And to me, all religions are horribly outdated superstitions which need deleted and emptied from the recycle bin. However, this is the USA, and freedom of religion or freedom from religion are guaranteed by the US Constitution. Let's all get along and work together, but in the mean time, let's snicker at Ted for entertaining us!

[Phil]

well, he is gay. what do u expect a gay man to do? gay men go for other gay men. Duh. he might b n the closet but his sexual orientation sure as hell isnt. it will not b denied.

[Stryse]

Jesus has nothing to do with the church built in his name, or the atrocities committed by it. Beware the institutions of man.

[FRANK J.OF IDYLLWILD AND GUANAJUATO]

The operative word here might be hypocrisy which, in the end, seems to bite the perpetrators of hate in the ass! Look at Anita Bryant and her husband's eventual disclosure as a HOMO. What more can be said of such stances taken by moral paragons? I am waiting still for the other shoe to drop on George Bush. While he may not be queer, there is something hiding in his closet. It does appear that there is a higher power responsible for adjusting the attitudes of these people who pretend to represent that same higher power's stance on matters of morality and faith. So what's new? Look at the Catholic popes both historical and more recent. Cardinals such as Spellman of New York who liked boys ALOT. The list goes on and on. Event the President of Mexico, Calderon, is said to be a closet case and rumored to have had a relationship with his chief law enforcement official recently killed in a plane crash of mysterious circumstances.

[Robbie]

Ha ha ha what a can of worms this opened up! I don't think that choosing not to believe in ancient theories about our world is christian bashing. I agree that Christian's are quite illogical. Call it faith if you must, I call it stupidity. The lessons in the Bible are good ones, but the events are not factual. People had no other way to explain things back then. God is for dumb people. I am not being disrespectful, just real.

[anubis0614]

Ted Haggard must have big dick, because he's not good looking.

[ricky]

for you people who are tsking the people who mock ted haggard and his ilk, i must say that what is coming at him is likely well-deserved. as well as those others who commit such acts. he is a hypocrite and has hurt the homosexual agenda. and as such - he is shamed. you may say that it is not out right to pass judgment, but as far as i know, the grand majority of people pass judgment on things large and small. pretty much everyone judges - regardless if they speak out about it or not. so screw you ted for being a freaking hypocrite. if you're going to condemn homosexuality and then have gay relations, i'll just assume that you're "above" the "teachings of the bible" that you so "dedicate" yourself to.

[Kurt]

I was totally randomly linked this by the grace of the internet.

I find it hilarious that anyone ever caught in some "web of mortal sin" by the church is automatically regarded as a teacher of a "false faith". They never teach the TRUE teachings of Jesus

... apparently.

I think Jesus would be awful sick of people putting words in his mouth. No matter what side they are on.

[Hector]

Wow, there is a lot of bitter bigotry in our community, isn't there. My problem with Christianity has never been people chosing to believe in Jesus, though I do not, but the hypocrisy of the teachings of the churches, and especially the hypocrisy of people like Haggard who condemn us to hell with one breath and then suck cock with the other.

I have sympathy for a man who has trouble coming out of the closet, but none for one who choses to help destroy all of us in the process of trying to live his lie.

If one of the bible's teachings is not to lie, perhaps many Christians need to start by not lying to themselves.

Hypocrisy is the problem, not Jesus.

All hail Zeus!

[Father Mike]

Do not judge all of the faithful by the misdeeds of a few. Do not judge all of the faithful by those who would twist the words of Jesus.

Even if you are truly a non-believer, believe this, Jesus once told his flock "whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me." Enough said.

I believe. I would love for you to believe. God created all of us with free will. It is up to you to make the right choices.

God bless all of you, yes, even Mr. Haggard.

[queerplanet]

Hey all you young dudes out there!

You want to put yourself through college and have money left over for some fun?

JOIN A CHRISTIAN CHURCH!! Then get friendly with the pastor/priest/minister!

Gawd, when will people learn that Christianity is a front for easy sex and good money?

Bait an switch darlings, bait and switch. There's a sucker born every three seconds, I swear to Jesus.

And if you get caught, all you have to do is repent, say you're an addict, and then pay off the person who complains!

I'm sure it's in the Bible somewhere that it's okay to do this. Everything damn thing is in the Bible.

[queerplanet]

Oh and Father Mike.

So let's try to understand this.

Your Sky God creates people who hate homosexuals, who get very rich hating homosexuals, who are actually homosexuals themselves, and then who pay off people who complain, and then go right back to being hypocrites and making millions with Oprah Winfrey book tours.

And this Sky God did this because????

Is he like into role playing sado masochism or something?

[So?]

A gay man having gay sex. So?

No wonder lots of guys are afraid to come out of the closet. They see how cold and heartless so many queers are.

Fortunately, there are more upbeat comments in here than hateful ones. I take heart in that.

[queerplanet]

Oh and all you young dudes.

Remember what the Christian lesson is here.

It's okay to have gay sex if you pay for it later.

So put yourselves through college and have some fun money on the side.

Get yourself a nice priest or minister to fuck.

[Mark]

I just hope he comes out soon. I have always wanted to date him. Watching him on T.V. I could always tell he was gay.

[Joe]

Oh please, we all know he is gay and we all know he plays under the stall bathroom dick limbo at the local parks and truck stops. Guys like him are just so paralyzed by people knowing they like cock. Gurl....get over it, come out, and lets all go on a cruise.

[HH]

Ted Ted Ted.....stop denying you are gay and come out. There are so many gay men and women who DO beleive in Jesus Christ that could use a good minister. We all have our coming out stories, and I think the gay community can accept yours. Then in return you can provide spiritual guidance for many gays and lesbians who cant relate to their clergy they way they would be able to relate to you.

[tj]

Wait just a forking minute. The relationship occurred over a long period of time, starting with the guy was of LEGAL age? But they wanted to keep it a private matter so much that they "settled" with the guy out of court? WTF was there to settle if he was legal and a volunteer?

Christians... Jeez-US!

[queerplanet]

The thing is with Christians is they have to feel guilt and shame and pay for it in order for it to be good sex.

[HypnoToad]

Ted, listen up. Bi-, Gay-, Queer-, Curious-, or whatever suffix you choose, this is quite simple:

When you marry or partner, it is a serious invocation. You do NOT cheat. Not EVER. There is NO excuse to justify it.

I know some people do and advocate infidelity too. I hope those self-righteous cretins get every disease in the book as a result.

And there are straights, gays, bis, younameits that do cheat and try to find a way to rationalize it.

Of course, people open about what they want are name-called and mocked too. Honesty never pays either.

This is the world, it seems.

[HypnoToad]

Posted by: HH | January 27, 2009 at 03:27 PM
---

You really believe others in the GLBT "community" would listen? There's too much narcissism and vain self-righteousness. That's why I stopped fighting for the so-called "movement" in 2005. Pride parades became events for large companies, some of which commit human rights abuses in other countries. And the parades themselves -- drunk guys lifting up their grass skirts to show off their willies is not the sort of pride I would expect in a demonstration whose roots were founded in a serious movement for equal treatment. It's become a FARCE. And I am not the only GLBT person to admit it, and few do -- because the narcissists and self-righteous nitwits can't see beyond their own doorstep.

Want more proof? Look at gay-themed media. All about the youth, the bling, and the AIDS medications. That's not pride. That's mass marketing.

Sorry to come across upset. There is no "community". Only vain self-righteousness that can't withstand even the slightest hint of scrutiny.

[sirald66]

Haggard is only conflicted in how to be a happy homo, but still oppress-with-benefits.

[Mitchell Killman]

Poor guy...most of us know how hard coming out can be. I can only imagine how hard it must be when you have a religious profession. I wish him well.

[David in HK]

Aren't some of us losing track of the real issue here?

Ted Haggard preached for years not only against gay marriage but also against homosexuality, saying that "homosexual activity, like adulterous relationships, is clearly con­demned in the Scriptures". Sure, he was also perhaps a bit compassionate in that he visited gay bars and invited gay men to join his congregation and yes, he did advocate civil unions while opposing gay marriage. Everyone is entitled to voice his own opinion.

Where Haggard is wrong is in being entirely hypocritical and practicing the exact opposite of what he preaches, using crystal meth, having regular sex with a prostitute and, now it seems, also having a long and ongoing sexual relationship with a young church volunteer.

Honesty is a much more attractive character trait.

[Dan]

I think America would be better of with Rousseau's proposal for churches: turn them into libraries.

People could maybe study real theology instead of buffet style 'born again' fundamentalism, learn the basics of logic, law, and other great inventions of the modern revolution that started over 400 years ago.

[love_tears]

is it just me or is he HOT!!!!!!!!!

[Kyle]

If anyone wants to know who the "young man" is... he has a gay.com account his name on here is grantcolo . for the full story on the kid, hit up krdo.com... its their banner right now...

[Joel]

Religion and the beliefs of humans are not the same each and every person has their own god and their own beliefs.

God just said that I want you to love each other and treat each other as you would want to be treated.

God gave us a whole universe to explore. The only thing that humans can do is fight and ridicule each other. What a waste.

I don't know Mr. Haggard his dealings do not affect my day to day life.

Judging him is such a waste of good mind power. Do something better with your time our country is in turmoil and you just want to judge somebody.

[allan mckinnon]

more to the point,
why can't they keep it in their "skirts".