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The Tragedy of Haggard
06 Feb 2007 10:48 am
He previously said he'd struggled with his sexual orientation his entire life; now, he's "completely heterosexual." He is now claiming his sole sexual outlet was the one prostitute, Mike Jones. And yet he is being treated for "sexual addiction." Er: adultery with one other partner is not sexual addiction. Let's put it this way: even the quacks behind reparative therapy for homosexuals do not believe a few weeks of therapy will do the trick. (A few years and you can function heterosexually without wanting to kill yourself.) And so the psychological and spiritual abuse that Haggard has imposed on others and is now imposing on himself continues for another cycle of denial and pathology. And that is what, sadly, a great deal of Christian fundamentalism is caught up in: a vortex of denial of reality and rigid psychological resistance to self-acceptance. It is, in my view, a fear-gripped rejection of the beneficence and compassion of God, not an openness toward the divine. It's a therapy that is actually an illness. And Haggard is getting sicker.
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Minister Says Haggard is Heterosexual
Excerpt: Despite buying the services of a male hustler/drug purveyor, it appears Ted Haggards ministerial advisors have declared Haggard completely heterosexual. As one could expect, Andrew Sullivan is unconvinced. Let's put it this way: even the quacks behind ...
Weblog: Religious Left Online
Tracked: Feb 6, 2007 12:01:06 PM
Yes, There IS a Cure! (UPDATED)
Excerpt: Its time to rewrite some of the scientific studies:
One of four ministers who oversaw three weeks of intensive counseling for the Rev. Ted Haggard said the disgraced minister emerged convinced that he is completely heterosexual.
Ha...
Weblog: The Moderate Voice
Tracked: Feb 6, 2007 3:02:27 PM
Haggard must have more faith than I do
Excerpt: For me it took over a decade of prayer, fasting, struggling, reparative therapy and pain to finally realize that I was NOT going to change. I was gay. But after saying he has struggled with these 'homosexual demons' all his...
Weblog: Daddy, Papa and Me
Tracked: Feb 6, 2007 7:19:43 PM
Tuesday Night Television Controversy Part II: Boston Legal
Excerpt: This sounds like an even bigger con than the one on Boston Legal with Ted Haggard now looking like the witnesses who claimed they were cured by the program (with Alan expressing skepticism over their long term prognosis). Andrew Sullivan notes the cont...
Weblog: Liberal Values
Tracked: Feb 7, 2007 1:43:52 AM
Q: How did Ted Haggard un-catch gay?
Excerpt: "He is completely heterosexual," Ralph said. "That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations where things took place. It wasn't a constant thing."
Now, you might be confused by this process of "acting-out situations where things...
Weblog: The Answer May Surprise You
Tracked: Feb 7, 2007 9:17:07 AM
Q: How did Ted Haggard un-catch gay?
Excerpt: "He is completely heterosexual," Ralph said. "That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations where things took place." Now, you might be confused by this process of "acting-out situations where things took place." I originally took...
Weblog: The Answer May Surprise You
Tracked: Feb 7, 2007 10:30:56 AM
