I'm not saying the accusations about the evangelical pastor Ted Haggard are true (ok, maybe I am), but something just doesn't seem right about his explanation that he "only bought meth and had a massage" from the gay escort who claims he saw Haggard for sex and drugs once a month for three years.I'd like to recommend that Pastor Ted check out The Confession by former New Jersey governor James McGreevey. After he was caught in an affair with another man, McGreevey came out as a "gay American," left office, left his wife, and went into counselling.
I saw an amazing interview with him on Larry King just after he returned where he humbly, tearfully explained how terrible it is to live a double life. He looked like a liberated POW or something, broken but now free. He was so heart-breakingly honest, begging people to be "true to who you are."
Obviously, I don't think it's a problem if Pastor Ted is a gay man. I don't think it's a problem if he's a gay Christian minister (I know several). I don't even think it's a problem if he's a gay Christian minister who opposes same-sex marriage (an odd position, but I could imagine it. There are some gay people who don't want anything to do with the institution of marriage).
But it is a problem when you say you're one thing and you live like you're another. In my opinion, this an especially serious problem if one is a spiritual leader who is called to a higher level of authenticity. McGreevey said that his double-life led him into all kinds of degrading situations. It's a lifestyle that is very destructive to oneself and to those around you.
I think most people would have had a lot more respect for Pastor Ted if he had just come out and said he was gay. Sure his life and ministry would have to change---he might find it difficult to remain a politically active conservative Christian evangelist who is chummy with the President---but it certainly isn't the end of the world.
Come on out Pastor Ted. The Lord will still love you.
You're right of course. But I have an issue with "tell all" books. It's like going to confession where it ends up not mattering what you've done as long as you can confess it. I also have an issue with hypocrisy. People who advocate against something like gay marriage with such fervor just to cover themselves while living closeted lives, hurt a lot of people who are just trying to live...
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