More Jesus Camp Controversy: Pastor Steps Down in Scandal lnvolving Meth and a Gay Escort
Filed under: Documentary, Independent, Magnolia, Celebrities and Controversy, Newsstand, Politics, Cinematical Indie
The controversy just won't stop swirling around documentary Jesus Camp, about children attending an Evangelical Christian camp. Just last week, we reported that Pastor Becky Fisher, who ran the Kids on Fire Christian Camp featured in the film, had shut the camp down after attacks of vandalism in the wake of the film's release. Yesterday came the more shocking news that Pastor Ted Haggard, president of the 30,000,000 strong National Association of Evangelicals, had placed himself on administrative leave from his church and stepped down from his position as president of the Association, in the aftermath of a stories on Denver talk radio and in the Denver Post that alleged the good pastor -- who has openly spoken out against homosexuals -- had been caught buying meth from a gay escort. Haggard, who had recently attempted to distance himself from Jesus Camp (see the filmmakers' response to Haggard), at first vehemently denied the accusations made by Mike Jones of Denver in interviews on Denver talk radio and to the Denver post that he had had monthly sex with Haggard, who is married with five children, over a course of three years, and that Haggard used meth during their encounters. Just yesterday, Haggard's coworkers at his New Life Church were supporting him and declaring Jones' accusations to be patently untrue. Today, though, Haggard admitted to reporters that he had contacted Jones about purchasing meth, and that it is, in fact, his voice on the voice mail tapes that Jones had produced as evidence, but denied using the meth (see video of Haggard admitting to some of the allegations).
An email sent out by acting pastor of New Life Ross Parsley, printed in the Denver Post today, said in part, "the board of overseers has met with Pastor Ted. It is important for you to know that he confessed to the overseers that some of the accusations against him are true."
More Jesus Camp:
Netscape Video: More Jesus Camp Controversy
Evangelical Camp Featured in Jesus Camp Shuts Down
Jesus Camp Not Pulled from Moorefest
Michael Moore Won't Taint Jesus Camp
[via Movie City Indie ]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-03-2006 @ 7:41PM
jmchez said...
Oh, some guy is a closeted homosexual, this definitely must be the biggest story of the century!
Because this guy you never heard of is also an Evangelist you never heard of, and making anti-gay statements you never heard of, while having gay sex with dudes you definitely never heard of.
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11-03-2006 @ 8:15PM
Mochamom said...
It's HILARIOUS because he IS a guy people have heard of.Who spouts HATE that people have heard of(and worshiped to),against people who it turns out he is one of.
Now that makes news we have all heard of
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11-03-2006 @ 8:44PM
david said...
Once again we find the media making a big to do about a leader who has stepped out of line. What about all the political leaders that have been caught with their pants down and not been exposed, and the list goes on and on. People will fail irregardles of their postion or profession, just look at all the potical ads and attacks that go on. crap upon crap.
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11-04-2006 @ 12:38AM
I.C.W said...
To david-
1. I think the word you're looking for is regardless.
2. The issue at hand is not what OTHER people have done in the past, it is what THIS man has been doing on a regular basis for 3 years up til this moment in time.
I don't understand why people blindly defend those who do wrong.
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11-04-2006 @ 12:41AM
Meh said...
jmchez - You may have never heard of Ted Haggard, but the *30 MILLION* members of the National Association of Evangelicals of which he is/was PRESIDENT *do* know who is. And because the Evangelicals hold some sway over political decision-making in this country (that's how we got stuck with Dubya for two terms, remember) this is a legitimate news story.
david - See my comments above; and I'll add to that, that just because some people's crimes go unnoticed or unpunished does not mean that when someone is exposed that they should go unnoticed/unpunished. With that logic I guess I can kill someone and never go to prison because there are plenty of murderers that have not been caught.
Oh . . . and there's no such proper word as "irregardles" (even with 2 "S"'s at the end) See: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-irr1.htm
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11-04-2006 @ 9:24AM
khia213 said...
The real issue here is hypocrisy. Haggard was campaigning for an anti-gay marriage ban in Colorado. And the church was big on the anti-gay theme, in general. No one is without sin, but don't stand in front of a crowd and talk about how moral you are and how all those people are going to hell, then be the biggest sinner in the group.
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11-05-2006 @ 10:31PM
Suede said...
Mr. Haggard has destroyed his ministry, career and any personal testimony he may have had. I especially like MEH's comments and agree! Anyone guilty of a crime must be punished. Well, how about you? Not just MEH but anyone reading this. Have you committed any crimes? Have you ever lied? Just one lie for any reason makes you a liar. Ever stolen anything, ever? The value is insignificant, if I reach into your wallet and take out a dollar or a hundred I would be a thief. Have you ever committed adultery? Jesus said, "You have heard it said of old thou shalt not commit adultery but I tell you if you look with lust you have committed adultery in your heart." God sees all of your sins (and Mr Haggard's) and he will judge them accordingly. Over 63,000 murders went unsolved in a ten year period in the U.S. but they will not escape God's justice. How about you? I just asked you about 3 of the 10 commandments, there are 7 more, take a look at them, this is God's law and His standard upon which you will be judged. The Bible says, "It is appointed once unto man to die and then the judgment." You know it's true 10 out of 10 people die. Go to www.needGod.com and see how you will do in the judgment. Don’t let the lie of Mr. Haggard’s life and failure to practice what he preached keep you from the reality of God’s word and truth.
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