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Monday, August 27, 2007 | Reason : Wingnut News | print version Print | Comments

Document Fallen Pastor Seeks Aid to Pursue Studies

by NYTimes

Reposted from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/us/26haggard.html

The Rev. Ted Haggard, who left the 10,000-member megachurch he founded after admitting to 'sexual immorality,' has asked supporters for financial help while he and his wife pursue studies in counseling and psychology.

Mr. Haggard, the former pastor of New Life Church, plans to seek a master's degree in counseling at the University of Phoenix while his wife studies psychology, he said in an e-mail message sent this week to KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs.

The couple and two of their sons are planning to move Oct. 1 to the Phoenix Dream Center, a faith-based halfway house in Phoenix, where Mr. Haggard and his wife plan to provide counseling, the e-mail message said.

"It looks as though it will take two years for us to have adequate earning power again, so we are looking for people who will help us monthly for two years," the e-mail message said. "During that time we will continue as full-time students, and then, when I graduate, we won't need outside support any longer."

Mr. Haggard left the New Life Church late last year and resigned as head of the National Association of Evangelicals after a former male escort accused Mr. Haggard of paying him for sex.

Mike Ware, an overseer for New Life Church, told The Gazette of Colorado Springs on Friday that it was premature of Mr. Haggard to release the statement without first consulting the overseers.

Mr. Haggard received a salary of $115,000 for the 10 months he worked in 2006 and an $85,000 anniversary bonus before the scandal broke, The Gazette reported. Mr. Haggard's severance package included a year's salary of $138,000. He also receives royalties from his books, the newspaper reported.

El Paso County records show Mr. Haggard's home, which has been for sale, has a market value of $715,051.

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1. Comment #65857 by Mango on August 27, 2007 at 6:38 am

 avatarI'm disheartened, but not surprised, that he's not entering a scientific field of study.

Other Comments by Mango

2. Comment #65872 by monoape on August 27, 2007 at 7:51 am

 avatarI guess once you get used to an income from fleecing sheep, it's difficult to give it up ... from the letter (http://krdo.images.worldnow.com/images/INCOMING/haggardletter.doc) that ex-pastor Ted sent out:

"Any help we can get with this will be greatly appreciated and, I believe, rewarded in heaven."

So, Ted somehow knows that his homophobic god is going to reward people for handing out money to help someone who used male prostitutes and drugs? And Ted, the oh-so-good Christian, thinks his needs are greater than, say, the thousands of entirely innocent children around the planet who are starving to death?

What a truly sickening individual....

Of course, the really sad thing is that many of his brain-washed flock will hand over their hard-earned cash.

Anyone have Ted's email address? ;)

Other Comments by monoape

3. Comment #65877 by steveroot on August 27, 2007 at 8:18 am

 avatar
2. Comment #65872 by monoape on August 27, 2007 at 7:51 am
Anyone have Ted's email address? ;)

No, but when you find it, I'm sure he'll accept PayPal! ;-)
Steve

Other Comments by steveroot

4. Comment #65886 by jthacker48 on August 27, 2007 at 8:51 am

 avatarUntil today, I hadn't put two and two together to figure out that this was the guy in 'Root of All Evil' and 'Jesus Camp'. It takes a lot of nerve to ask for money after you mislead people like that for so many years.

Other Comments by jthacker48

5. Comment #65887 by samratpathania on August 27, 2007 at 8:53 am

 avatarHey Ted,
there's something called "Student Loans" that are used by honest and hardworking people to manage their finances while they study.
Ever heard of them??

Other Comments by samratpathania

6. Comment #65896 by crazy4blues on August 27, 2007 at 9:37 am

 avatarHa! The University of Phoenix is a "degree mill"--it's below a "safe" school! So Mr. Haggard has descended from the highly exalted to the utterly ordinary. Hmmm, one wonders if he'll have to study evolution to fulfill the science requirement! Actually, probably not. Check the Wikipedia entry of the above named "university" and you'll quickly see that it's just a way to get a ticket punched. Folks, this is a wonderful example of bottom feeding in American education. Just perfect for this guy, particularly since he plans on applying his newly gained knowledge at a "faith-based" center. Ah, some things never change . . .

Other Comments by crazy4blues

7. Comment #65904 by Lionel A on August 27, 2007 at 9:51 am

 avatarHang on a mo'! Shouldn't this jerk be taking counseling rather than being paid to provide it?

Sickening!

Other Comments by Lionel A

8. Comment #65907 by Arcturus on August 27, 2007 at 10:09 am

 avatarMoney? For this guy? F. off!

It would be a very immoral thing to do, with so many "real" poor people around, people needing basic housing and healthcare.

I wouldn't spend a penny. Get a job, get a loan ...

Other Comments by Arcturus

9. Comment #65909 by mumbles on August 27, 2007 at 10:15 am

 avatarYou guys are forgetting that he's been reformed.

/sarcasm_off

Other Comments by mumbles

10. Comment #65915 by Lionel A on August 27, 2007 at 11:00 am

 avatar
9 Comment #65909 by mumbles
You guys are forgetting that he's been reformed.

Reformed into what?

An environmentally friendly gash sack? I'll vote for that.

This 'I'm reformed and saved and therefore I am now a good guy' carp could only work with the religiously stupid.

Other Comments by Lionel A

11. Comment #65918 by scottishgeologist on August 27, 2007 at 11:20 am

 avatarMonoape asked:

Anyone have Ted's email address? ;)

Got it right here:

parasite@fuckinghypocrite.com

My favourite Haggard clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX79GiZPP1Q

WARNING: might make you ill.....

Other Comments by scottishgeologist

12. Comment #65922 by captain underpants on August 27, 2007 at 11:36 am

 avatarMaybe the real problem is that so many people are so eager to give their money to somebody who so obviously holds them in contempt.

Other Comments by captain underpants

13. Comment #65923 by Northern Bright on August 27, 2007 at 11:37 am

 avatar11. Comment #65918 by scottishgeologist on August 27, 2007 at 11:20 am
My favourite Haggard clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX79GiZPP1Q

WARNING: might make you ill.....

OMG. Not even your warning fully prepared me for the sheer gruesomeness of that clip. Lying for Jesus again. And they're not even good at it.

Here, in return, is my favourite Not Quite Ted Haggard clip. Fellow devotees of Root of All Evil? may find it spookily familiar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBC5L6cyq2Y

Other Comments by Northern Bright

14. Comment #65936 by oxytocin on August 27, 2007 at 12:44 pm

 avatarOh Great Scott. If Ted Haggard is EVER identified as a Psychologist, my profession is doomed. Luckily, our ethics code prevents any psychologist from introducing religion into any treatment where it is not explicitly requested. Of course, ethics does not seem to be a particular strength for this chap.

Woe.

Other Comments by oxytocin

15. Comment #65938 by Dr Benway on August 27, 2007 at 1:16 pm

 avatar
Mr. Haggard received a salary of $115,000 for the 10 months he worked in 2006 and an $85,000 anniversary bonus before the scandal broke, The Gazette reported. Mr. Haggard's severance package included a year's salary of $138,000. He also receives royalties from his books, the newspaper reported.
Jesus. What does the average weekend of crack 'n BJs go for these days?

Other Comments by Dr Benway

16. Comment #65942 by Blue Lithium on August 27, 2007 at 1:31 pm

Not only that, but check this out:

"According to Haggard's letter[for funding], concerned supports can send their donations directly to the Haggard family in Phoenix. But if anyone needs a tax deduction, they can instead send a check to a Colorado Springs-based charity called "Families With A Mission," who will then forward those funds to the Haggard family minus ten percent for "administrative costs."
As BTB's Timothy Kincaid pointed out, "[I]f a non-profit is receiving funds which Haggard solicits to be used for his personal benefit and then providing a tax deduction, that would be tax fraud."
It looks like tax fraud is just the beginning. Dan Savage of Seattle's The Stranger did some digging and found some rather interesting information about Families With A Mission. The first problem is that the only "Families with a Mission" group registered with the Colorado Secretary of State using the same mailing address as in Haggard's fundraising letter was dissolved last February.
It turns out that the only name associated with the now-dissolved charity is a guy by the name of Paul Huberty, a registered sex offender with the state of Hawaii."

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2007/08/25/694

Other Comments by Blue Lithium

17. Comment #65948 by USA_Limey on August 27, 2007 at 2:16 pm

 avatarIts worth mentioning again that, as far as I am aware, RD has not once in print or the spoken word commented on Haggards fall from grace; despite the way he was treated by him in the "Root of All Evil" channel 4 documentaries.

A lesser man, (like me), might have given into the urge to endulge in a little schadenfreude, so kudos to Richard for being the better man!

:-)

Other Comments by USA_Limey

18. Comment #65963 by keith on August 27, 2007 at 3:32 pm

 avatarDr Benway,

$100 + $75 = $175

Other Comments by keith

19. Comment #65967 by Dr Benway on August 27, 2007 at 3:51 pm

 avatar
keith: $100 + $75 = $175
The US dollar has seriously tanked, hasn't it.

Even at the discount rates you quote, when you throw in dinner, drinks, hotel room and cable porn, the shit can add up.

Oh, and I forgot about the ex-boytoy hush money. And set-aside money for the Mrs., so she stays calm at least while she sorts her options.

Other Comments by Dr Benway

20. Comment #65970 by captain underpants on August 27, 2007 at 3:58 pm

 avatarNorthern Bright wrote:
Here, in return, is my favourite Not Quite Ted Haggard clip.

Who's the bloke who plays Haggard? He reminds me a bit of Rik Mayall.

Other Comments by captain underpants

21. Comment #65976 by Russell Blackford on August 27, 2007 at 4:32 pm

You have to admire Pastor Ted's gall.

Other Comments by Russell Blackford

22. Comment #65981 by Russell Blackford on August 27, 2007 at 4:48 pm

There once was a pastor named Ted,
Who resigned to take up higher ed.
He'd explored his gay side,
And could no longer hide
His unbiblical actions in bed.

Other Comments by Russell Blackford

23. Comment #65982 by BAEOZ on August 27, 2007 at 4:54 pm

 avatarRussell, very cool.
Ted Haggard is openly ripping off the flock. No wonder they use that term, they are happy to be shorn regularly....Sad.

Other Comments by BAEOZ

24. Comment #65984 by RickM on August 27, 2007 at 5:10 pm

 avatarBUT WAIT! Haggard is (or was) a member of the Superbuzzheads, i.e. the priest class. These are the most despicable, loathsome, vile, deceitful, manipulative, lying, murderous, immoral f-----g scum that ever walked the surface of the planet.

Why should we be surprised at anything he does?

And as for the Buzzheads (followers); any doubt they will cough up?

Other Comments by RickM

25. Comment #65991 by Cycik on August 27, 2007 at 6:08 pm

USA_Limey I would agree probably being the better man for RD not to indulge in schadenfreude over this. But I was so hoping when the scandal went down I was doing constant Google searches on RD and TH just to see if any cool comments surfaced. Alas they did not. So kudos for Richard in taking the high ground, even at the expense of my fun.

Other Comments by Cycik

26. Comment #65999 by steveroot on August 27, 2007 at 6:38 pm

 avatarRussell's excellent limerick reminded me of one I heard years ago. It's somewhat coarse, but topical.

The jolly old Bishop of Birmingham
buggered three maids while confirming 'em;
as they knelt seeking god,
he excited his rod
and pumped his Episcopal sperm in 'em.


Sorry to offend; though I've seen worse on this site!
Steve

Other Comments by steveroot

27. Comment #66008 by Yorker on August 27, 2007 at 7:38 pm

 avatar26. Comment #65999 by steveroot

Not bad, but the Earl of Buckingham is the all-time winner. It's more than coarse but brilliant also...I'll take the risk, it can only get flagged and me banned, here goes.

On the bridge sat the Earl of Buckingham,
thinking of tits and of sucking 'em.
Whilst watching the stunts of the cunts on the punts and the tricks of the pricks that were fucking 'em!

or an American one...

There was a young maid of Mobile,
whose pussy was made of blue steel.
she got all her thrills from pneumatic drills
and off-centered emery wheels.

I have about 50 limericks committed to memory since my student youth, but some are unprintable.

Other Comments by Yorker

28. Comment #66010 by steveroot on August 27, 2007 at 7:46 pm

 avatar27. Comment #66008 by Yorker on August 27, 2007 at 7:38 pm

Thank you, Yorker. I shall join you in exile, should it come to such a pass. I have an entire BOOK of limericks, some of which are unprintable yet they *are* printed! "The Good Book", one might say.

Here's another religious one:
A lovely young nun from Siberia
was blessed with a virgin interior
'til a lusty old monk
climbed into her bunk,
and now she's the Mother Superior!

Steve

Other Comments by steveroot

29. Comment #66011 by BAEOZ on August 27, 2007 at 7:49 pm

 avatarMy turn!

There was a man from South Yarra,
who tried to fuck a sparrow*.
He couldn't succeed in this dirty deed,
because the bones in its arse were too narrow.

*this rhymes when done with lazy aussie accent. ie. sparrow and narrow sound like sparra and narra....

Other Comments by BAEOZ

30. Comment #66012 by steveroot on August 27, 2007 at 8:18 pm

 avatarRussell has spawned a monster!
Steve

Other Comments by steveroot

31. Comment #66016 by robotaholic on August 27, 2007 at 9:48 pm

 avatarOMGAY TED HAGGARD the BIGGEST HYPOCRITE ON PLANET EARTH :O:O:O!!! asks for money!???? I hope he ends up working for Subway @ 6.00/hr and his wife should leave him since he's really gay. How DARE that SHAMELESS idiot, haughty and ! -who argued with Professor Richard Dawkins over evolution..His statement to RD - "get off my property - you called my children apes"- he's a nasty hypocritical biggoted MAGGOT

UGGH! F. HIM HARD.

Other Comments by robotaholic

32. Comment #66017 by Veronique on August 27, 2007 at 10:08 pm

 avatar30. Comment #66012 by steveroot, hahaha.

No he hasn't - light relief. Besides he's done it before and it's always fun:-)

Don't stop it too short:-)
V

Other Comments by Veronique

33. Comment #66022 by Richard Dawkins on August 27, 2007 at 11:30 pm

What I want to know is whether donations to Ted Haggard are tax-deductible. The newspaper article doesn't say, but one sentence ("Mike Ware, an overseer for New Life Church, told The Gazette of Colorado Springs on Friday that it was premature of Mr. Haggard to release the statement without first consulting the overseers") suggests to me that the donations might be channeled through the New Life Church, in which case presumably they would be tax-deductible. I don't know how these things work in USA, but I should have thought this might be a major embarrassment to the New Life Church. Do we have any legally qualified readers, or readers knowledgeable about US or Colorado law, who could enlighten us?

Richard

Other Comments by Richard Dawkins

34. Comment #66027 by pewkatchoo on August 28, 2007 at 12:44 am

 avatarI would like to inform everyone that I hereby repent from my life of debauchery and sinful pleasures and will be taking up a more simple life of quiet contemplation in the South of France. Unfortunately this will require more funds than are currently at my disposal, so I would enjure my followers to send all donations to my repentance fund to Zehr Geheim Bank of Switzerland, Zurich. All donations large and small accepted. Used banknotes prefered.

Other Comments by pewkatchoo

35. Comment #66030 by scottishgeologist on August 28, 2007 at 1:02 am

 avatarSomething about that word "overseer" - I dont know, it sounds sort of sinister, like some anonymous black clad figure who controls things and who is all powerful within the organisation. Definitely Darth Vadar -ish.

Oh yes, continuing the limerick theme:

There once was a choir girl from Crewe
Who said as the Bishop withdrew
The Vicar is quicker and slicker and thicker
And 2 inches longer than you....

Sorry, wrists slapped....

Other Comments by scottishgeologist

36. Comment #66031 by Corylus on August 28, 2007 at 1:29 am

 avatarHmmp! Anyone want to pay off my lingering student debts?? No? Thought not.

There was a young lady from Nod
Who thought babies came from God
But is wasn't the almighty
That lifted her nightie
It was Roger the logder, the sod.

Other Comments by Corylus

37. Comment #66033 by BAEOZ on August 28, 2007 at 1:50 am

 avatarNo limerick from Richard Dawkins? I'm sure it wouldn't been pithy as well as ribald....

The was a man from the cape,
who tried to roger an ape.
He said: "You hairy fool,
you've busted my tool"
As he bent its arse outta shape.....

Other Comments by BAEOZ

38. Comment #66038 by gcdavis on August 28, 2007 at 2:25 am

 avatarA more local account of the story is here
http://www.coloradoconfidential.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2630

Other Comments by gcdavis

39. Comment #66039 by Titus on August 28, 2007 at 2:38 am

Sorry, can't resist joining in with one my old choir master told me some 30 years ago.

There was a young man from Belfast
Whose balls were made of brass.
In stormy weather
They clanged together
And sparks flew out of his arse.

Other Comments by Titus

40. Comment #66040 by gcdavis on August 28, 2007 at 2:48 am

 avatarThere was a devout Pastor called Ted
Who occasionally like to give head
When caught he denied
And simply replied
That his "cup" runneth over instead

Other Comments by gcdavis

41. Comment #66045 by monoape on August 28, 2007 at 4:28 am

 avatarThe perfect clip to demonstrate the astonishing level of hypocrisy and deceit in good ol' Teddy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6rSjrBhUIA

Other Comments by monoape

42. Comment #66046 by monoape on August 28, 2007 at 4:36 am

 avatarRichard - "What I want to know is whether donations to Ted Haggard are tax-deductible."

From http://www.coloradoconfidential.com/showComment.do;jsessionid=CE2D8ACB3A7C259280EC99F8B0709CB5?commentId=19396:

"Dave Coffman, the guy who uncovered the truly bizarre link between this letter and Paul Huberty, Haggard's convicted sex offender friend, has been further searching for evidence the Families With A Mission is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. My background is in non-profit management and I've done some sleuthing on my own.

So far there is absolutely no evidence from the IRS Publication 78 that lists all non-profit organizations or Guidestar, a site that maintains information on over 3 million non-profits in the US, that Families With A Mission has ever been recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. This means no deduction for people who contribute through FWAM. It also means that FWAM, Huberty and Haggard may be adding fraud and tax evasion to their list of misdeeds.

Once the IRS gets wind of this they are in SERIOUS trouble. Remember, Al Capone got brought down for tax evasion, not any of his other crimes. The FWAM gang may be about to follow."

Maybe one of our State-side readers could make sure this is put in front of the relevant authorities?

Other Comments by monoape

43. Comment #66047 by phasmagigas on August 28, 2007 at 4:54 am

 avatarAfter watching peter fisher at the royal homeopathic hospital on part two of 'enemies of reason' I noticed some similarities between him and haggard.

OK the video style of interview was similar but aside i just got the 'feeling' and thats evidence (as we are good at noticing cues from peoples behaviour, afterall we are the same species and so eveolved to notice the tiniest details of human behaviour and for good reason) that fisher like haggard knew he was pushing BS and primarily for his own good (i guess fisher is in a better financial position than he would be otherwise or maybe he just finds this work MUCH easier).

Fisher suggested that even if it (homeopathy) was proved ineffective he wouldnt stop it as it seemed his patients wanted it. Like with haggard the masses that follow them would continue to follow despite any amount of evidence against (homeopathy) or any amount of 'sin' (haggard). I'm guessing the difference is that the homeopathic hospital treatment is on the NHS, ie free.

I still laugh at one of haggards videos, the one where he looks in the camera and says something like 'i know where you were last night' (In reference to some guy whos been engaging in homosexual activity, the audience smugly laughs) and of course ted knew because he was right in the thick of it. One for the village stocks. edit, ah, the said video post 66045, yes, one for the village stocks. Id like to pose one question to haggard: 'Ted, are you going to hell??' Well at least westboro baptists dont care for him either.

Other Comments by phasmagigas

44. Comment #66049 by Russell Blackford on August 28, 2007 at 5:23 am

LOL, I can see that I need to give a few of you some lessons in scansion. :)

Other Comments by Russell Blackford

45. Comment #66050 by irate_atheist on August 28, 2007 at 5:27 am

 avatarcrazy4blues (6)

- "...a wonderful example of bottom feeding in American education."

*ahem* - coughs, and moves on...

Other Comments by irate_atheist

46. Comment #66059 by Richard Morgan on August 28, 2007 at 6:36 am

Why is everybody so shock/horror surprised? When has getting money out of people ever had anything to do with being virtuous and honest? Haggard is still doing who he does best - screwing people!

Other Comments by Richard Morgan

47. Comment #66060 by RickM on August 28, 2007 at 6:40 am

 avatarmonoape,

Ah, ha. I went over to the Coloradoconfidential page and added my humble priest rant.

I imagine there will be some Buzzhead replies. However I think the evidence is on my side.

OT - Saw a Bush snip on CNN this morning where he says the Islamofacists can't be religious people. He can't see where religious people would do what they're doing. Wonder what planet he's been living on. We should see some commentary on this one.

Other Comments by RickM

48. Comment #66062 by Yorker on August 28, 2007 at 6:49 am

 avatar40. Comment #66040 by gcdavis

That one deserves high marks because I assume you invented it yourself!

Other Comments by Yorker

49. Comment #66067 by heathen2 on August 28, 2007 at 7:40 am

 avatarMaybe Pastor Ted Ignoramus should study history instead of psychology. Then he would understand what the reference to the Nuremberg rally meant when Richard referred to it in the The Root of all Evil interview.

Other Comments by heathen2

50. Comment #66068 by heathen2 on August 28, 2007 at 8:20 am

 avatar
Oh Great Scott. If Ted Haggard is EVER identified as a Psychologist, my profession is doomed. Luckily, our ethics code prevents any psychologist from introducing religion into any treatment where it is not explicitly requested.


True, oxytocin. But that does not seem to prevent practitioners from advertising themselves as "Christian counselors", which I think is offensive also. (Maybe not so bad, if I need the services, I'll know who NOT to go to).

Plus, there are a number of therapists and counselors who get the degree and licensure to do counseling in a church setting with a religious spin. They get paid well too. I guess the clients know what they are in for in that case and want the Christian spin.

Other Comments by heathen2
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