The National Association of Evangelicals,
homosexuality, and reparative therapy
Ted Haggard admits same-sex indiscretion; resigns from
National Assoc. of Evangelicals
Sponsored link.
About Ted Haggard and the National Association of Evangelicals (NEA):
Ted Arthur Haggard ("Pastor Ted;" 1956-) had
been the president of the National
Association of Evangelicals (NAE) since 2003. He was also senior pastor of the 14,000 member New
Life Church -- a mega churchin Colorado City, CO. Time Magazine
named him as
one of the 25 most influential Evangelicals in the U.S. He is married with five
children and an outspoken critic homosexuality and of same-sex marriage.
By late 2006, a sex scandal erupted that cost him the presidency of the NAE. He
was replaced by Leith Anderson.
Ted Haggard's downfall:
On 2006-NOV-1, Mike Jones, 49 allegedly a gay man
and a Denver area male escort, claimed on a Colorado Springs, CO radio station
that he had had an ongoing sexual relationship with Ted Haggard.
That evening, Haggard denied the claims. He prepared for an investigation by
officials in his church saying:
"I did not have a homosexual relationship
with a man in Denver. I am steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife.
I don't know if this is election year politics or if this has to do with
the [federal] marriage amendment or what it is, but I'm not even the guy who will
investigate it or question it. I don't know what the dynamics are, but
this independent group will come in and do that." 1,2
By the next day, Ted Haggard had stepped down as president
of the NAE and as head of the New Life Church. The Associated Press reported that:
"Jones said he has voice mail messages from Haggard, as well as an
envelope he said Haggard used to mail him cash, though he declined to
make any of it available to the AP. 'There's some stuff on there (the
voice mails) that's pretty damning,' he said." 3
On NOV-02, Ted Haggard allegedly admitted that
some allegations of same-sex behavior are true. KTTV reported:
"After Pastor Ted Haggard went public Wednesday night denying
allegations of a homosexual affair, senior church officials told
KKTV 11 News Thursday evening, Pastor Ted Haggard has admitted to
some of the claims made by a former male escort. The church's Acting
Senior Pastor, Ross Parsley, tells KKTV 11 News that Pastor Haggard has admitted
to some of the indiscretions claimed by Mike Jones, but not all of them.
Thursday morning, Jones went on a Denver radio talk show and said Pastor Haggard
paid him for sex over the past 3 years. Jones also claims Haggard used drugs
with him. 4
Ted Haggard wrote a letter to the parishioners
of the New Life
Church which was read by another pastor during services on Sunday, NOV-05.
He stated that:
"I alone am responsible for the confusion caused by my inconsistent
statements. The fact is, I am guilty of sexual immorality, and I take
responsibility for the entire problem. I am a deceiver and a liar. There
is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I've been
warring against it all of my adult life. For extended periods of time, I
would enjoy victory and rejoice in freedom. Then, from time to time, the
dirt that I thought was gone would resurface, and I would find myself
thinking thoughts and experiencing desires that were contrary to
everything I believe and teach."
"Through the years, I've sought assistance in a variety of ways, with
none of them proving to be effective in me. ..."
"The accusations that have been leveled against me are not all true,
but enough of them are true that I have been appropriately and lovingly
removed from ministry. Our church's overseers have required me to submit
to the oversight of Dr. James Dobson, Pastor Jack Hayford, and Pastor
Tommy Barnett. Those men will perform a thorough analysis of my mental,
spiritual, emotional, and physical life. They will guide me through a
program with the goal of healing and restoration for my life, my
marriage, and my family." 5
James Dobson, head of Focus on the Family, later
withdrew his offer to help, citing excessive workload.
The program to help Haggard was apparently some form of reparative therapy or
transformational ministry geared to changing Haggard's sexual behavior and/or
orientation.
Review of reparative therapy:
In the field of sexual orientation there are two "solitudes" who very rarely
attempt meaningful dialogue:
Religious conservatives, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or other,
generally believe that homosexuality is a behavior that is chosen at or after
puberty. It is changeable, abnormal, unnatural, and hated by God. It is typically
caused during childhood by inadequate parenting, although some religious
conservatives also blame childhood sexual abuse as an alternate cause. Most view
homosexuality as a mental illness, a spiritually sinful state, and/or an
addiction. A small
but growing percentage of religious conservatives now accept that a homosexual orientation
is discovered, not chosen, is difficult or impossible to change, and has at
least a partly biological cause.
Religious liberals, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, therapists, human sexuality
researchers, and others generally believe that homosexuality is an orientation that is often
discovered at or after puberty. It is fixed, and is normal and natural for a minority
of people. It has been proven by studies of identical twins -- who were separated
at birth and raised independently -- to be caused by some factor prior to birth --
probably genetic -- in combination with some unknown factor in the environment.
It produces symptoms that can be detected by child psychologists when the
child is at a pre-school age. Over three and a half decades ago the American
Psychological Association determined that homosexual orientation is not
a mental illness. Other professional associations subsequently followed
suit.
Reparative therapy is promoted almost entirely by religious conservatives. It
is typically a lengthy process. It takes on the order of 3
years and costs in excess of $10,000. During therapy, the client attempts to
form a close, intimate but non-sexual relationship with a member of the same
sex. This overcomes the client's alleged lack of bonding with their same-sex parent during
childhood. Reparative therapists believe that sexual feelings towards members of the
opposite sex will naturally emerge during this treatment.
There is little data available on the efficacy and
safety of reparative therapy. But what little information that is available
seems to show that this therapy has a failure rate in excess of 99.5%. Anecdotal
data indicates that a large percentage of extremely depressed and suicidal
clients emerge from conversion therapy. On the other hand, there are also
stories of clients who have tried to change their sexual orientation via
reparative therapy as a last resort, have been unsuccessful, have realized that
their sexual orientation is unchangeable, have fully accepted themselves as
homosexuals or bisexuals, and have finally found peace.
Our opinion:
It is our policy to avoid interjecting our opinions into the essays on this
website. However, sometimes the matter is of such extreme importance that we
feel a moral obligation to express our view.
As explained above, most religious conservatives hold completely opposite
views from religious liberals, sexual minorities, therapists and researchers. We
regard this as a case of depraved indifference. Personal conflicts over sexual
orientation -- whether they are caused by homosexuality itself (as many
religious conservatives believe) or by the high level of homophobia in society
(as many others do) is leading to massive depression, and extremely high levels
of suicide in the homosexual community. This is not the time for the two sides
to be withdraw from each other and sling accusations at each other. This is the
time for discussion, dialogue, joint studies into the reality of sexual
orientation, and revision of peoples ideas to make them correspond to reality.
The anecdotal evidence appears to indicate that this form of therapy is
ineffective and potentially dangerous. Unfortunately, the quality of the studies
is extremely poor. We desperately need well designed studies that will produce
results that both religious conservatives and others will be able to accept. To
do less than this is profoundly immoral, and will result in millions of people
in real pain with suicidal ideation.
Sponsored link:
Controversy over reparative therapy triggered by Haggard's problems:
As of mid-November, 2006, Haggard's statements about his activities with Jones remain lacking in
specificity . However, the media, homosexual advocates,
religious commentators, etc. appear to believe that Haggard had repeatedly
engaged in same-sex sexual activity with the gay escort over a period of a few years. He
did state in a letter written to his parishioners:
"There's a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been
warring against it for all of my adult life. Through the years, I've sought
assistance in a variety of ways, with none of them proving to be effective
in me."
David Crary of the Associated Press wrote:
"Even as he pledges to undergo further counseling, Haggard's comments
have rekindled debate over the premise that people can overcome same-sex
attractions through 'reparative therapy.' It's a concept espoused by many
religious conservatives, and disputed by many mental health practitioners.
Wayne Besen, a gay-rights activist and author, referring to Haggard's
repeated and unsuccessful attempts to change through therapy, said:
"Haggard is Exhibit A of how people can't change their sexual
orientation. With all that he had to lose -- a wife, children, a huge church
-- he had to be who he was in the end. He couldn't pray away the gay."
Clinton Anderson, director of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns Office
of the American Psychological Association (APA) said:
"There's a profound sadness that someone should be saddled culturally with
such a negative attitude toward a part of themselves. From our
vantage point as psychologists, his self-repulsion is not necessary, it's not
justified."
Joseph Nicolosi, founder and president of the National Association for
Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) is the main U.S. expert
promoting the validity, effectiveness, and safety of
reparative therapy. He suggested:
"If this man is saying, 'This is a part of me that I abhor,' why can't we
respect that? Why do we have to attribute that to something
external and take away the dignity of the individual to express how he feels?"
Doug Haldeman, a psychologist from Seattle, WA, who specializes in
gay-related matters said:
"There's nothing good that can come from conversion therapy. The
wreckage left behind, for some who go through it, is frightening -- they're
depressed, suicidal."
Dr. Jack Drescher, a psychiatrist from New York, NY and author of "Psychoanalytic
Therapy and the Gay Man," 9 said that promoters of reparative therapy's ignore
the harm that it can do. He said:
"They're selling you something without any warning
of what might go wrong." 6
Although various forms of therapy from aversion therapy to reparative
therapy, from castration to breast amputation, appear to have been a complete --
or nearly complete -- failure at changing individuals' sexual
orientation, two therapies have achieved some success in changing people's
sexual behavior:
Religiously oriented transformational ministries have convinced some
clients with a homosexual orientation to choose to enter a celibate life.
This is a profoundly difficult task, because they are often drawn towards
forming a loving committed relationship with another person and perhaps
entering into a same-sex marriage. Accepting a lifetime of loneliness is
very challenging. However, some can be convinced that God hates homosexual
behavior, and that God expects them to be sexually inactive.
Transformational ministries and reparative therapists have convinced
some clients with a bisexual orientation to decide to confine their sexual
relationship(s) to persons of the opposite sex. This is easier to do because
the client can then still pursue a loving committed relationship and
marriage. They merely have to remain faithful to their spouse.
The fundamentalist Christian group, Focus on the Family, regularly
conducts Love Won Out conferences which teach the attendees that
homosexuality is chosen and changeable. One regular speaker is Joseph Nicolosi
from NARTH.
Another is Alan Chambers, president of Exodus
International. This is a network of conservative Protestant ministries promoting "freedom from homosexuality"
through counseling and prayer. He claims that he successfully changed his
personal sexual orientation through religious
counseling. He expressed empathy towards Haggard, saying, "We're all susceptible to
temptation." 6
What is in Ted Haggard's future?:
Nicolosi said that Haggard could be helped if he was prepared to do:
"... deep, emotional work. ... We're talking about looking at your life squarely in the eye -- facing the
realities that you did not get certain central affirmations from your mother or
your father." 6
It is not clear what Haggard's sexual orientation is. Religious conservatives
and the media often assume that anyone who is sexually involved with a member of
the same sex is a homosexual. The possibility of them being a bisexual is often
ignored.
Haggard has admitted to committing indiscretions with Jones, but claims
that not all accusations against him are true. He might possibly be a
heterosexual who enjoys a special massage including drugs.
Some of the reports in the media seem to imply that Haggard has engaged
in sexual indiscretions with another man. That could imply that he is a
homosexual. But he has been involved in a long-term marriage lasting over two decades. They apparently have five children,
the two eldest of which were preparing to enter college in 2002. They would
be in their early twenties today. 7
Some homosexuals enter marriage as an attempt to resolve the problems that
they have with their homosexual orientation. But these marriages are almost
inevitably doomed and end quickly.
The third option is that Haggard has a bisexual orientation, sexually
attracted to both men and women. This fits well with all of Haggard's and
Jones' statements to date.
Michael Brewer,
public policy director for the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community
Center of Colorado appears to be concerned that the "restoration process"
underway for Haggard may be used against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in the
future. If Haggard is a homosexual and decides on a life of celibacy or is a
bisexual and decides to abandon sexual activities with men, religious
conservatives may claim that he has now been converted to a heterosexual
orientation.
Brewer said:
"I am
concerned he will go through this restoration process and come out the other
end a confirmed heterosexual and become a poster child for the illegitimate
process of reparative therapy." 8
On the other hand, Haggard's previous attempts at
therapy have all failed; the current process might also be unsuccessful.
After three weeks of intensive counseling, Haggard left the treatment center.
Rev. Tim Ralph, one of his team of overseers said: "He is completely
heterosexual. That is something he discovered. It was the acting-out situations
where things took place. It wasn't a constant thing." Haggard said that he
and his wife Gayle are considering moving to Missouri or Iowa, and plan to
pursue master's degrees in psychology. 10,11
It is not difficult for a person to make the transition away from
homosexuality to become "completely heterosexual" as long as one uses the
definitions that are commonly employed by religious and social conservatives.
However, it appears to be essentially impossible to make such a transition if
one uses the definitions employed by everyone else.
During his counseling he appears to have simply decided to stay away from
same-sex sexual encounters and remain with his wife in a monogamous
relationship. This is interpreted in one of two ways, depending upon how the
term "homosexuality" is defined.
He continues to have a bisexual orientation and decided to become
monagamous: To gays, lesbians,
religious liberals, therapists, psychologists, human sexuality researchers,
etc. homosexuality is one of three sexual orientations. A sexual
orientation is determined by the gender(s) that a person finds sexually
attractive. (The other orientations are heterosexuality and bisexuality.)
Haggard appears to have been a bisexual prior, and during his brief
encounter with reparative therapy. If so, then he probably remains a
bisexual today. That is, he remains sexually attracted to both men and
women. Even though he has decided to be
monogamous in the future, his feelings of attraction to other men probably
remain as strong as ever. His change is as simple as an adulterer deciding
to stop philandering and stick with his wife. Internally, he has not changed
at all; he remains a bisexual.
He is an ex-gay: To religious conservatives, homosexuality is one
of two behaviors. If a person engages in sexual activity with members
of the same sex, then they are homosexual; otherwise they are heterosexual.
Haggard seems to have decided to concentrate on maintaining a monogamous
relationship with his wife. Thus many religious conservatives would consider
him an ex-gay.
In late 2006, we had assumed that Haggard would probably be used by gays, lesbians,
religious liberals, etc. as a "poster boy" who demonstrates the fixed
nature
of one's sexual orientation. Meanwhile, we expected that he would probably be used by religious
conservatives as a "poster boy" who demonstrates the ease with which homosexuals
can become heterosexual. But little of this actually happened. Haggard seems to
have been allowed to descend out of the limelight.
Wikipedia reported that Haggard:
"... received $115,000 for the 10 months he worked and also
received an $85,000 anniversary bonus shortly before the scandal broke; after
the scandal broke, the board of trustees of New Life Church agreed to
give him an $138,000 severance. Additionally, the Haggards have a home
in Colorado Springs, Colorado that is valued at more than $700,000 and Haggard
still receives royalties from books he has authored."
In a statement during 2007-AUG, Haggard requested cash donations for his family
so that he could attend classes at the University of Phoenix. He pursued a
degree in counseling; his wife Gayle is enrolled in a psychology course.
Wikipedia continues that in 2008-NOV:
"... Haggard said in guest sermons at an Illinois church that his sins had roots
in sexual abuse by an adult when he was seven years old. Haggard is starting an
insurance agency in Colorado Springs, CO." 12
The Associated Press reported that:
"In [2008-] February, New Life Church announced that Haggard
prematurely ended a 'restoration' process designed to help him heal.
13
Haggard will appear in a 41 minute HBO documentary about recent events in his
life. It is scheduled to be aired on 2009-JAN-29. 13
References used:
"BREAKING ALLEGATIONS: Head of National Association of
Evangelicals, Ted Haggard, Is Gay!," Evangelical Right, 2006-NOV-02, at:
http://www.evangelicalright.com/
Wolf Blitzer, Situation Room program, CNN, 2006-NOV-02.
"Church leader says Haggard admits to some indiscretions," KKTV,
2006-NOV-03, at:
http://www.kktv.com/
"Ted Haggard's lettter to New Life Church," The Gazette, Colorado
Springs, CO, 2006-NOV-05, at:
http://www.gazette.com/
David Crary, "Haggard scandal renews sex therapy debate. Some
specialists say orientation can't be changed," Boston Globe, 2006-NOV-16,
at:
http://www.boston.com/
Mark Spense, "The real problem with ex-pastor Ted Haggard," Tampa Pirate,
at: http://tampapirate.com
Kevin Simpson and Eric Gorski, "Pastor's case stirs debate," Denver Post,
2006-NOV-12, at:
http://www.denverpost.com/
Jack Drescher, "Psychoanalytic Therapy and the Gay Man,"
Analytic Press, (1988).
Read
reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store One gay
reader reviewed the book for Amazon.com and commented: "... during the period
I was reading it, I felt so many times identified with the text, so close to
many of the patients, so happy to realize I am not alone. I wanted to thank the
author for his book." Another reviewer, a therapist, said: "The writing
is so accessible I think gay patients will find it invaluable as well."
"Minister called 'completely heterosexual.' Peer group recommends Ted
Haggard move out of town," Associated Press, 2007-FEB-06, at:
http://news.aol.com/
