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JimInCO · 2006-11-02T18:05:48Z

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/15914360.htm Posted on Thu, Nov. 02, 2006 Leader of evangelical group resigns amid allegations By Paul Asay and DeeDee Correll The Gazette (MCT) COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Rev. Ted Haggard, senior pastor at New Life Church, resigned Thursday as president of the 30-million-member National Association of Evangelicals, following allegations he paid a Denver man for sex over the past three years. He also placed himself on administrative leave from New Life Church, pending an investigation of Jones' claims, a move church officials said is standard after allegations of impropriety. He said in a statement this afternoon that he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations made on Denver talk radio this morning." Several religious leaders quickly rallied behind Haggard. "Ted Haggard is a friend of mine, and it appears someone is trying to damage his reputation as a way of influencing the outcome of Tuesday's election," Focus on the Family James Dobson said in a news release issued before Haggard resigned his national post Thursday. Dobson called the media "unconscionable" for reporting "a rumor like this based on nothing but one man's accusation." Haggard, 50, has not returned phone calls Thursday from The Gazette, but he did tell KUSA-TV in Denver Wednesday that "I did not have a homosexual relationship with a man in Denver. I am steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife." A man who identified himself as Mike Jones, 49, of Denver told The Associated Press Thursday that he has voicemails from Haggard as well as an envelope he said Haggard used to mail him cash. Jones declined to make any of that available to the AP. "There's some stuff on there (the voice mails) that's pretty damning," he said. No evidence to substantiate Jones' claims has been produced. Jones alleged on Wednesday he and Haggard had a three-year relationship. Jones told his story to a KHOW radio in Denver and to KUSA. Jones told The Associated Press that Haggard paid him to have sex nearly every month. Jones said he had advertised himself as an escort on the Internet and that a man who called himself Art contacted him. Jones said he later saw the man on television identified as Haggard. He said he last had sex with Haggard in August. He said he did not warn him before making his allegations public this week. The Rev. Ross Parsley, associate senior pastor, will serve as acting senior pastor for the church while the investigation takes place. The process involves an investigation by pastors outside the New Life system. The overseers could recommend Haggard be dismissed, reinstated but disciplined or reinstated without discipline. The experts that may look at this incident are Larry Stockstill of Bethany World Prayer Center in New Orleans, Mark Cowart, of Church for All Nations in Colorado Springs, and Mike Ware, pastor at Victory Church in Denver. "This is really routine when any sort of situation like this arises, so we're prepared," said Carolyn Haggard, a church spokeswoman and Haggard's niece. "The church is going to continue to serve and be welcoming to our community. That's a priority." Steve Holt, senior pastor at the 3,500-member Mountain Springs Church in Colorado Springs, said of the allegations, "It's fishy. I think people should take note that this is five days before election, and that Ted is proponent of yes on Amendment 43 and No on Referendum I." Amendment 43 would amend the Colorado state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Referendum I would grant same-sex couples some of the same rights as married heterosexual couples. He feels that the so-called religious and cultural wars "are out of control" on both sides. And this is a good example of it." He says he has been a good friend of Haggard for 11 years, and they sometimes pray together. "He's a "man of integrity and good works, and there is no reason to believe the accusations. I don't want to see him impugned with spurious accusations with no relevant information to back it up." The Rev. Rob Brendle, associate pastor for New Life Church, also says the allegations are unfounded. "I know Ted to be a man of unwavering integrity," Brendle said. "There's nothing in this man's charges that is true." Don Armstrong, rector for Grace Episcopal and St. Stephen's Church in Colorado Springs, says he doubts Jones' accusations are true. "I've known Pastor Haggard for a long time, and he's a decent man," he said. "That's the last thing he'd succumb to." Gay spiritual leaders in Colorado Springs said the allegations probably won't impact statewide elections. There are two major issues on the ballot related to sexuality: Amendment 43, which would define marriage as between a man and woman, and Referendum I, which would give same-sex couples more legal rights. "The time is interesting," said Nori Rost, who runs an organization called Just Spi...

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Rev. Ted Haggard (mega-pastor/Bush advisor/izzy lover) outed as a rump ranger

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Geoff Beck

(@geoff-beck)

Posts: 1241

Noble Member

I know your obsessed with me. You covet my power Jesus has provided me.

However I am not going to take a picture of my behind and p3nis and email them to you or anyother man okay? I have blocked your email and my pm's are getting full. Try to restrain yourself, okay?

I am looking for a free clinic to help you out. Until then let us all help Chain out with his temptations.

Let us pray in the words our Savior gave us:

Donger, I think we've had enough of you. Appeal to another moderator to let you out if you like, and you can post your appeal from opposition.

A White World (Pierce's Vision for our Race):
http://www.vanguardnewsnetwork.com/library/video/pierce,william/whiteworld.wmv

Posted : 04/11/2006 9:47 am

panskin

(@panskin)

Posts: 23

Eminent Member

Like this latest fudge-packer, why do they always cry repentence and beg to be forgiven after they are caught? If they are so sorry (pun not intended), why aren't they running and screaming to the alter of forgiveness in their churche$$$$$$ as soon as they checked out of the motel?

Give me that ol' time jailhouse religion. That's what jailhouse rats and TV preachers (and quite a few others) have in common. It ain't a crime unless you been caught. Then it's all tears and forgiveness horseshit. All in time to further their coniving ways. It all gives me the urge to puke.....

--
1600 years of 100 percent pure of Viking, Scot, and English ancestry has gotta count for something......

Posted : 04/11/2006 7:43 pm

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