along with my child, I recall how overwhelming the church itself was/is. The lack of direction and confusion of many attending and while many "good people" and those doing their best as christians, there was just a feeling of being "lost in the crowd" ... also, in order to work in any ministry, one had to be under a certain age! if over 40, well, no chance for you even if a "seasoned christian" In addition, my teen would return from retreats with stories sounding something near mass hypnosis. And I would hear how they would have visions of dark figures with red eyes and images of fire around them. I did not hear much preaching about SIN. I am personally disturbed by Ted's resurface. Which just days before hearing of it in the news, I had just thought "hmm what ever happened with the Haggards? wonder if he will be back in the news?" Feel in the end, his being "in the news" serves not only political purpose, the true enemy's purpose, but his own pocketbook as well. I will have nothing to do with it monetary wise. I WILL pray not just for him, but rather for the affect this has on the world.

And the volunteer coming forward, what are your real motives, "Grant" ? is it money too? is the near $200k you receive from NLC which is mostly from hard working individuals givings/tithes not enough for you? YOU made a decision as well as TED... YOU could have left that room that night but you did NOT, did you?

In the end, christians and nonchristians, stop lining the pockets of all these charltans. Remember how Jesus overturned the merchants tables at the temple. Do the same and refuse to pay into this hooplah rather its Ted or new "victims".

They will attempt to put you down more, and lie, and cheat, to discredit you. They're terrified that you might say something to hurt them. That is the religious republican way. You've evolved, and they hate you for it!

To: a former NLC member....... I think I understand your confusion and torment about this topic. One thing is absolutely clear, though. Grant could have left the room, but, as he personally stated, he was at odds with his own sexuallity and sought counseling. He probably wasn't sure how he should respond under the circumstances he was in. On the issue of personal monetary gain....many of the individuals who brought charges against Catholic priests, although very guilty, were in it for personal gain. They knew the Catholic church was capable of providing a monetary reward through lawsuits and even though some of the "victims" were later proven to be homosexuals themselves they still went after the money. Money is the root of all evil....just look at what corporate greed has done to this country. As you stated, and I agree, stop lining the pockets of these charlitans. This goes for the greedy victims and the huge profit greedy mega-churches that seek not salvation for your soul but salvation of the contents of your wallet.

This insanity will continue as long as society continues to insist that people be pushed into the closet and encouraged to deny their sexuality in the name of pleasing the god concept . When will people wake up and realize organized religion is a sham. Most ministers are one step away from insanity. Walking around with all that irrational stuff in their heads and spewing it on Sundays while trying to live as rational beings will make one loony.

I am also a former NLC member, I watched it all unfold and honestly it was not so much the stuff with Ted that floored me, it was the church which left me speechless and continues to do the same today.

Look at the statistics on major Christian websites like these:

A 2003 survey from Internet Filter Review reported that 47% of Christians admit pornography is a major problem in their homes.

An internet survey conducted by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in 2002 found 30 percent of 6,000 pastors had viewed internet porn in the last 30 days.

Pastor Ted comes out and has struggles and what does New Life Church do, they have a public lynching. The church is so good at shooting their weak!

Now again Pastor Ted is in the news and what does NLC do on Pastor Brady Boyds blog, they post how much money they gave him, they boast how good they were to him. By the way, it should be called the Brady Boyd Butt Kissing Blog.

I believe in Jesus Christ and I believe all people who do will go to heaven, homosexuals, murders, etc. Jesus came to this earth 2000 years ago, the sinners embraced him and the Pharisee's rebuked him...2000 years later the Pharisee's embrace Him and the lost rebuke him. Why, what changed, not Jesus. I believe it is because the world is tired of seeing christians like Ted and New Life Church say one thing and do another!

The church had a chance to display to the world what forgiveness is and apparently with Ted and now Grant forgiveness = money.

I forgive you Ted and you would be welcome in my church anytime...we actually encourage sinners to attend our church which is why I can go.

Wes Master
Former NLC member

The comment made by The Voice Magazine is so typical of “Christians”. If the church had not exiled Ted Haggard but instead got him the help and SUPPORT that he needs/ed then I would say "Christian’s" are good people. JESUS came to save us ALL!!! Regardless of status or sin; even if we, they, he, she were leaders. Last I checked God created all humanity and gave us all the same right to inherit the kingdom of heaven. He has admitted his sin now move on, stop analyzing lest some day you get analyzed yourself. As for Hollywood being the evil dark side… TOO bad you (Christian’s) didn’t take the opportunity to be the “Good Samaritan.” So if someone sees another on the side of the road broken and hurt and needed help and they didn’t help him/her; who’s behaving like the “dark side?”

It’s pathetic that we can’t tell a Christian’s evil from another, or for that matter, from the world at large. This type of behavior and talk would, I’m sure, make Jesus cringe.

It’s just another opportunity missed. Instead of Christian’s working through a tough situation to bring God the glory, they yet again, chose to kick a man while he’s down, honest and broken. WOW, what’s it going to take for the WWJD motto to kick in?

Who died and made YOU Jesus??? I thought that He already came, lived and paid the price.

I'm perplexed and disappointed.

I watched Oprah today. I didn’t know it was going to be about Ted Haggard and had barely and briefly heard that story when it came out couple of years ago. I think Christians dealing or conflicted with homosexuality needs to be more openly and honestly addressed in church. I’m thankful for that interview; I think a LOT of Christians see themselves in Haggard. Not all gay people were sexually abused as a child, not all gay people were rejected or felt unloved or abandon by either one of their parents but some did. And we need to accept the fact that those situations can bring confusion in one’s sexuality. Abuse is no way to discover sexuality and/or sexual intimacy. There are people who are attracted to the same sex but decided not to go in that direction because they believe the word of God, The Bible, as the truth when saying that homosexuality is a sin. And that is something the gay community needs to accept as well. I also want to comment on the fact that it is normal for a sexual abuse victim whom was abused at a very young age, in a NONE “violent” or “abusive” way; to misperceive that situation as normal until someone else such as a “councillor/psych/therapist” points it out to them. There are actually many people who will feel shame because they enjoyed the experience often due to the molester being a good manipulator in making them feel safe and trusting, in a very “unhealthy and abusive situation”. For more reason than one, I was touched and grateful for that interview. One of the reasons being, that when Haggard said: “Jesus accepts gay people”; I think many needed to hear that. Another reason was when he explained something that a lot of Christians experienced which is having the wrong perception of what it is to be a Christian. Seeking, seeking and seeking God! But sometimes one can get to a place that is soooo low and feeling soooo weak, ashamed or disgusted at life. So much so that you want to die yet at that very moment where you think you have failed Jesus as a Christian because of your thoughts and actions. At that very moment when you say, “Jesus couldn’t possibly want to work with me, use or love me”. When you feel like you have failed your “mandate” there he is, seeking you at your lowest. Loving you for who you are, despite of how low your have gone. Christians often forget that Christianity is not a “job/mandate/position” its repentance, its forgiveness, it’s grace and love not only when you accept Christ for the first time but for every time you honestly go to him. It’s a process where you learn through his Word where you have fallen, why and how to get stronger in resisting that sin whatever that sin may be.