Evangelical leader quits, denies male escort's allegations

[Annoyedlistner]

(CNN) -- The president of the National Association of Evangelicals resigned Thursday after denying an accusation by a male prostitute that the pastor paid him for sex over three years.

The Rev. Ted Haggard said he is also temporarily stepping aside from the pulpit of his church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, pending an internal investigation by the church.

The National Association of Evangelicals is an umbrella group for more than 45,000 churches and some 30 million members across the country. (Watch Haggard deny the accusations -- 2:07 Video)

"I've never had a gay relationship with anybody. I'm steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife," Haggard told CNN affiliate KUSA-TV.

Haggard is married and has five children, according to the National Association of Evangelicals Web site.

Colorado is one of eight states where voters will consider bans on same-sex marriage in Tuesday's elections, and Haggard has been a supporter of the measure.

In 2005 Time magazine put Haggard on its list of the 25 most influential evangelical leaders, noting his participation in a weekly conference call with White House staffers and other religious leaders.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/02/haggard.allegations/index.html

[LesterX]

He's already gone from complete denial to admitting that "some" of the claims are true. Since the accusations are that he had sex with a male prostitute and took methamphetamine during those encounters, I'd love to have heard his "confession."

Was it something like this?

"I admit to buying meth from a male prostitute, but of course I didn't sleep with him! Male prostitutes are the only ones selling good quality meth around here."

Or this?

"Okay, there was a male prostitute involved, but it was a threesome with a woman and I never touched the guy, so I'm not gay. And it was cocaine, not meth."

So many possibilities...

[db44]

Forget the basics. I wonder how God looks at accusing others of false witness unjustly, or covering up your sins instead of admitting them... Presuming of course you accept homosexuality as sinful in the first place.

[LesterX]

^I wouldn't think God would be too pleased, but as long as he accepts Jesus as his savior, doesn't he get a fast pass to heaven anyway, according to Christian doctrine?

[Whoda Thunk?]

I thought I heard a news blurb today that he said he bought meth, but threw it away.


EDIT:
Google is my friend:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2627142

[LesterX]

Ah, this morning there was no such detail. I like my versions of his confession better. ;)

Doesn't everyone seek out a male prostitute when they want a massage?!?

[DoubleEdgeSword]

I heard part of a recording that the male prostitute/massage therapist had that was supposed to be Haggard. Haggard said he wanted "another" two or three hundred dollar "supply."

So, I guess Haggard must buy meth regularly and throw it away. Huh. The man has odd habits.