I DVR'ed this and watched it last night. He and his family started a new church in their barn called St. James Church. It was honestly a really fascinating show. He seems like a completely different person now than he was a few years ago. He made some really excellent points that I agreed with about how the institution (church) that is supposed to be the most loving and accepting is often the most judgmental and unforgiving. I would recommend catching a repeat if it's on again.
I wouldn't say I'm a T.H. fan now, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable bashing him anymore. It's hard to eloquently say what I want to say about it, you just have to see it. The show definitely made me think about some things.
Re: Anyone watch 'Ted Haggard: Scandalous'?
Wasn't he against same sex marriage? Or did he have a change of heart after his affair or whatever he called it?
Tired after a long morning of hiking and swimming.
He was very anti-homosexual before so I'm pretty sure he was against gay marriage. He didn't give a list of what exactly he's for/against these days but he said that gay people are welcome at his new church as well as anyone else that is a "sinner" for whatever reason that might not be accepted at a "traditional church." He did say on a radio show that he has never been gay and is not now but had a moment of weakness.
Again, I'm not necessarily a fan of him now but he did make some interesting thought-provoking points.
I caught a little bit of it before I fell asleep and I had the same reaction as you. The church he was a pastor at before is very "Christian"--I am speaking as a Christian with family who lives near his old church. I think that church has grown so much that people often say they believe in this, that, and the other thing for the sake that the church believes in it, but few are practicing it in real life and few are taking the time to relate the teachings to Christ. I think few actually see what is going on in the real world and just go with what the church said and apparently (from my aunt) the church and it's followers are some of the most judgemental nonChrist like people in the community. Of course that is her opinion and my take on it, but I do see TH as more of an honest individual who has rededicated his like to Christ and sees Christianity for what it is meant for, not what people say it should be.
This is not meant to offend anyone, it is merely my opinion.
Nicole and Sam 10/3/09