Oh No

Uh oh.

The president of the National Association of Evangelicals resigned Thursday after denying an accusation by a male prostitute that the pastor paid him for sex over three years.

The Rev. Ted Haggard said he is also temporarily stepping aside from the pulpit of his church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, pending an internal investigation by the church.

Comments

[brad]

I just pray that this isn't true and that it is indeed politically motivated. If not the fall out will be huge, both in and outside the Christian community. I have watched his denial a couple of times and unfortunately I have to say that I am not convinced.

[Trevin Wax]

I'm guessing that since he resigned, the accusations have merit.

God help us.

[Jeff T]

Trevin, I don't see it as that. In fact I got the impression he has resigned, just stepped aside until the investigation is over.

Resignation doesn't make an accusation true.

In fact I have known several people plead guilty to lesser charges (who were innocent) simply because the risk of going to trial was to great.

Jeff

[Kipp Wilson]

After reading the article, I just turned to my wife and said, "Either he's the most ethical Christian leader we've seen in a LONG time or..."

I say that because if he is in fact innocent, it is a virtually unprecedented act of ethics to step out of a position of major authority and influence in order to avoid conflict of interest and tarnishing the NAE's image (further) by fighting this allegation while still remaining as president. If he's innocent.

[Dustin]

While I may share a different view of homosexuality than most of you here, I am still saddened by the news. If this is true, his immediate family, and his extended church family, are in for a rough time. But, I do not believe that homosexuality should be the foundation of his demise. Rather, we should focus on the fact that if proven true, he committed adultery. Yet, I fear that the homosexuality issue will be front and center, and no one will see beyond it.

My prayers are with he and his family.

[matthewsmith]

In the eyes of the watching world, the issue will not be homosexuality-- in fact, the issue won't fundamentally be adultery. It will be hypocrisy, which is (allegedly) why this man came forward.

[Trevin Wax]

Jeff,

I don't want to sound pessimistic, but I find it hard to believe he would step aside if the allegations were totally false. My guess is that he's guilty, and he knows it.

To top it off, he's fighting for traditional marriage.

Trevin

[Dustin]

Well, regarding guilt, I read on a news blog that the acting senior pastor at his church has made a statement that Haggard has admitted to some form of wrongdoing, but not to the total accusation. Thus, it is difficult to assume, then, what the "wrongdoing" is or if that is what the pastor truly said.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming week or so.

[Michael Noes]

If the allegations are true, it's frustrating to me that a one leader's sin has to tarnish people's view of evangelicalism in general, which I'm sure would happen. I guess that's how it works though. Unfortunate.

[Jeff T]

I had a relaxing day playing Golf, but after I came home it appears that Ted H. has some problems, and so evangelical leaders cont to do stupid things.

Jeff

[Ted Gossard]

I've been around, just by living for fifty years. So this is very sad. But this kind of thing happens. One cannot think any pastor or leader is exempt from the possibility of falling. So for us, we should pray, but not be surprised (yet disappointed, of course).