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'''Ted Haggard''' is a former [[Pastor]] of the [[New Life Church]] in [[Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]] and a founder of the [[Association of Life-Giving Churches]].  He was leader of the [[National Association of Evangelicals]] from 2003 until November 2006 when he stepped down after a scandal.   

'''Ted Haggard''' is a former [[Pastor]] of the [[New Life Church]] in [[Colorado Springs]], [[Colorado]] and a founder of the [[Association of Life-Giving Churches]].  He was leader of the [[National Association of Evangelicals]] from 2003 until November 2006 when he stepped down after a scandal.   

In November 2006, he was removed or resigned from his leadership positions after allegations of [[homosexual]] sex and drug abuse were made by [[Mike Jones]], a male [[prostitute]]. Originally, Haggard denied even knowing Mike Jones, but due to an investigation he was forced to acknowledge that some accusations, such as his purchasing [[methamphetamine]], were true. He later confessed to "sexual immorality" as well.

In November 2006, he was removed or resigned from his leadership positions after allegations of [[homosexual]] sex and drug abuse were made by Mike Jones, a male [[prostitute]]. Originally, Haggard denied knowing Mike Jones, but later acknowledged that was not the case.  He also admitted that some accusations, such as his purchasing [[methamphetamine]], were true. He confessed to "sexual immorality" in the following days, but still maintained that aspects of Mike Jones' testimony were untrue.

:"The fact is I am guilty of sexual immorality. And I take responsibility for the entire problem. I am a deceiver and a liar. There's a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all of my adult life," he said.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2630268] Ousted Evangelist Confesses to Followers</ref>

:"The fact is I am guilty of sexual immorality. And I take responsibility for the entire problem. I am a deceiver and a liar. There's a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all of my adult life," he said.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2630268] Ousted Evangelist Confesses to Followers</ref>

The man who accused him was quoted as saying afterwards<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,227159,00.html] Evangelical Leader Admits to Buying Meth, Receiving Massage From Gay Escort</ref> "It made me angry that here's someone preaching about gay marriage and going behind the scenes having gay sex,". (It should be noted that Haggard supported homosexual civil unions, but not marriage.)<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/06/04/groups_gay_marriage_issue_not_congresss] Gay marriage issue not Congress's</ref>

The man who accused him was quoted as saying afterwards<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,227159,00.html] Evangelical Leader Admits to Buying Meth, Receiving Massage From Gay Escort</ref> "It made me angry that here's someone preaching about gay marriage and going behind the scenes having gay sex,". (It should be noted that Haggard supported homosexual civil unions, but not marriage <ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/06/04/groups_gay_marriage_issue_not_congresss] Gay marriage issue not Congress's</ref> and had earlier gone on record supporting the court decision in ''[[Lawrence v Texas]]'' believing that government should not interfere in the private lives of homosexuals. <ref>''Christianity Today'' magazine, Nov. 2005, Pg. 45</ref>)

On February 6, 2007, Tim Ralph, one of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counseling for Haggard,  stated that Haggard "is completely heterosexual." Ralph later explained himself further saying that therapy "gave Ted the tools to help to embrace his heterosexual side." The long-term efficacy of such therapy, however, is yet to be established.

On February 6, 2007, Tim Ralph, one of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counseling for Haggard,  stated that Haggard "is completely [[heterosexual]]." Ralph later explained himself further saying that therapy "gave Ted the tools to help to embrace his heterosexual side." The long-term efficacy of such therapy, however, is yet to be established.

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[[Category:Religious people|Haggard, Ted]]

 

[[Category:Ministers]]