The Minister, The Meth, and The Massage

Update II: Haggard's Letter
Update: Haggard's out as pastor

I have hesitated weighing in on this but I suppose I probably should.

By now you know that Ted Haggard, leader of Colorado mega church New Life Church and the head of the National Association of Evangelicals, has been outed by Mike Jones, a gay prostitute, for having sex and snorting meth.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061103/D8L5IM680.html

Haggard immediately stepped down from his leadership posts pending the completion of an investigation. Yesterday he admitted to getting a massage (but no happy ending) from Jones and to buying (but not snorting) meth for himself. Jones failed a lie detector test on the very show on which he broke the news.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4597552

I don't personally know Haggard or Jones (Ted or Mike or Merle or George, for that matter) and it's possible that one is completely true and the other completely false or both are twisting the truth for their own reasons. But I think this brings to light two much needed reminders and one prediction:

1. Christians aren't perfect. We are subject to temptation and sin just like anyone else. It's possible that Haggard is a closeted homosexual and succumbed to fleshly temptation, and to ease the pain that the cognitive dissonance caused, he tried meth. It's also possible that all he got was a massage and wanted to try meth but didn't have the guts or heart. We simply don't know yet. Right now it's he said, he said (I originally wrote "he said, she said" by mistake. :) ).
2. Christians must be mindful that someone is watching and waiting all the time. The euphoric schadenfreude that gays, liberals, and the secular community is feeling is as sad and pathetic as this husband and father having to explain this to people who care about him deeply. Even if the worst of this is that he only got meth and a massage from a gay whore, his life's work and the trust of his family, congregation, and the Body of Christ is ruined.
3. This may only strengthen and embolden Christian conservatives who are opposed to homosexuality and gay marriage. Over the past 48 hours or so, Mike Jones, the least sympathetic character in this soap opera, has been in front of every camera and microphone he can find. I can smell a book deal and maybe a made-for-TV movie in the works. He has admitted that he timed this story to impact Tuesday's elections. (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5115225,00.html ) That fact will not, or at least should not, be lost on conservatives. For a male prostitute to release this story for those purposes will only make many Christians and conservatives find the gay lifestyle and all who choose it that much more sick and depraved. I know, I know, Haggard chose to do this, if in fact Jones' allegations are true. But Haggard's a much loved member of the Christian community and the Colorado Springs community and they will rally around him and offer forgiveness, along with punishment. But Jones' behavior, and the elation of all who want to see Christians fall and fail, will only strengthen the Religious Right and they will most likely use this as yet another reason to oppose homosexuality and gay marriage. Just a hunch on my part.

My guess, and it's only a guess, is that Ted Haggard has struggled with his sexuality all his life and that in the coming days there will be more men who come forward and say they had sex with Pastor Ted at some point. He chose to deal with his demons in this particular instance with meth, but meth isn't a gateway drug. Nobody starts using drugs by taking meth (usually). So Pastor Ted probably has a stocked liquor cabinet at home (or a stash hidden somewhere) that he hits on a regular basis. He's probably tried pot a time or two in his adult life. Maybe even coke. It would be devastating, but not surprising, if his wife left him and came forward to say that they rarely had sex and he drank regularly. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg.

And I pray for Pastor Ted and his family.