Where is Ted Haggard Going?

Apparently, to Phoenix.

According to the article:

In Phoenix, Haggard plans to pursue a graduate degree in counseling at an area university, said [Rev. H.B.] London, who heads an outreach effort for pastors through Focus on the Family, the Colorado Springs-based right-wing Christian group. London was not sure where Haggard would be studying. The Haggards and two of their children — another three are grown — are expected to live in a home made available by a supporter.

In addition, Haggard will be attending the Phoenix First Assembly of God, a Pentacostal church better known for housing televangelist Jim Bakker after he was released from prison “for bilking supporters of $158 million.”

Haggard will still get paid by New Life Church in Colorado Springs through the end of the year (his salary was approximately $138,000, benefits excluded) as part of a severance package. Other staff members from the church weren’t as lucky. Because of Haggard’s actions, 44 employees were fired.

In return for the severance package, Haggard agreed to leave town and not discuss the scandal publicly.

However, that’s not the case for Mike Jones, the gay prostitute whom Haggard (a.k.a. “Art”) was seeing. Jones has a book deal where he will be discussing the details Haggard won’t be able to share.

(Thanks to Logos for the link)

[tags]atheist, atheism, Phoenix, Ted Haggard, H.B. London, Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Christian, Phoenix First Assembly of God, Pentacostal, church, Jim Bakker, New Life Church, Mike Jones, gay, prostitute[/tags]

Richard Wade

In Phoenix, Haggard plans to pursue a graduate degree in counseling at an area university

Oh noooooooooooooo!

He’ll have far more potential for destruction in the guise of a counselor than ever he had as a preacher, especially if he starts one of those bullshit “gay cure” clinics. Talk about an abomination!
writerdd

That’s sad. I had a small hope that he would get real help instead of further indoctrination.
[Si]dragon

Naturally, I think Ted should forget Christianity altogether and “become” an atheist! His own group seems to not like him much for his behavior, whereas atheists as a group often lean towards tolerance of objective pleasures such as responsible drug use and mutually consensual sex. Come on Ted, you are welcome with us!
Andrew

I know I shouldn’t enjoy this so much, but I can’t help but smile.
Richard Wade

Naturally, I think Ted should forget Christianity altogether and “become” an atheist! His own group seems to not like him much for his behavior, whereas atheists as a group often lean towards tolerance of objective pleasures such as responsible drug use and mutually consensual sex. Come on Ted, you are welcome with us!

LOL! Dream on! What drugs have you been using “responsibly” to come up with that fantasy? Haggard has made enemies of every group. When he claims to be “100 percent straight” that means as straight as he’s always been to his flock. He’s not even capable of facing the truth let alone telling the truth. He won’t even be welcome at the Freethinkers Foundation for Fallen Fundies.
Aimee

Whew, left Phoenix just in time! I feel sorry for his classmates.
spin sycle

I can’t get past the “live in a home made available by a supporter.”

How the hell does one manage that? hella brainwashing?
Patrick Craig

While Haggard flees to safety in the arms of this church in Phoenix, I pause to think about those 44 people who lost their jobs due to his actions. The flunkies always seem to take it in the tailpipe when something like this happens. Did they have the opportunity to go to this church also and partake of similar benefits? “Phoenix Assembly of God promises new jobs for all affected by this horrible travesty – er, tragedy!”

This serves as a lesson to the “little people” who follow: take off the hook and nose ring and take charge of your own life. Atheists have been doing that for years…
Richard Wade

Maybe the supporter is one of, well, one of…. those people. You know, one of…. them. You know how they like to live together and, well, you know…
Mike C

Because of Haggard’s actions, 44 employees were fired.

I hadn’t heard about this. Do you have any details? It seems exceedingly strange that this would be the case. How did those employees have anything to do with Ted’s behavior?
Richard Wade

Mike, click on “Phoenix” at the top of Hemant’s entry. Go to the last paragraph of page 3 of the article. Apparently they were laid off because attendance is down 20%, and giving is down 10% since Mr. Haggard’s scandal. The 44 employees are 12% of the church’s workforce.
Aimee

BUT, they could stay on as volunteers if they so choose, awww that is so nice of the church to do that : )